The National Marine Fisheries Service has announced its interim rule in January in to reduce overfishing for 2009. They felt the rule was far too Draconian especially since it cut in half the days fishermen could spend at sea if they were lucky, and reduced days to 19 if they weren’t. After much hue and cry over the issue the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – NMFS’s parent organization – announced a new interim rule last week. The rule takes effect May 1.
Peter Taylor, a Chatham hook fishermen and president of Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen’s Association, said that the old rule would have pretty much put most people out of business. He told that they are thrilled with the outcome of this. He added that parts of the rule still “hurt,” as everyone still takes an 18 percent cut in the amount of days they can fish and depending on what area a boat fishes, the cut can be doubled.
As per the new rule there is reduction in the amount of cod that can be caught and further restricts effort in the Great South Channel, a traditional fishing ground. It is told that the rule is particularly hard on draggers who depend on heavily protected flounder species; there are few draggers left on the Cape. The interim rule is designed to get the fleet, and fish stocks, through this year while managers hash out a sea change in regulations that are slated to go into effect next year.
Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA administrator Jane Lubchenco is of view that this decision balances healthy fishing communities and sustainable fisheries. He opined that it builds a solid bridge to a larger, long-term solution for managing the fishery through catch shares, which will help restore the ecosystem and the economic health of the fishing communities.
