Frank Mirarchi, the Scituate fisherman often finds the most abundant fish stocks he has seen in 20 years. He said that this is the most difficult business environment he has ever experienced. Commercial fishermen like Mirarchi face a strict restriction that allows him to fish the equivalent of only 24 days a year. They get around the restriction by leasing days from another permit holder, but the lease expenses add up quickly.
Two weeks ago, the National Marine Fisheries Service drafted an interim rule aimed at accelerating the rebuilding of groundfish stocks by cutting New England commercial fishermen’s days at sea by 18 percent. This rule has some disadvantages for local fishermen as a wide section of sea south of New England would be completely closed to commercial fishing.
The regulators are also eager to expand the zone where one day spent at sea counts as two days toward the annual limit. Ed Barrett, president of the Massachusetts Fishermen’s Partnership, told that the changes will also encourage more fishermen to operate in the inshore waters near the Massachusetts coast. He further said that if that happens, local fishermen will face stiffer competition and the healthy fish stocks in the area could be damaged.
It is said that the new system, which would take effect in May 2010, would allocate fishing quotas on a local basis. Among other changes, the new system should help reduce waste. Fishermen will need additional manpower and equipment if they are going to take on more self-regulation. And they’re worried that the fisheries service could end up using bad data to set the quotas.
