As per the release of NOAA the new measures announced were intended to end overfishing and continue the rebuilding of Northeast groundfish such as cod and flounder. The new measures were approved and will be effective from May 1. It will establish new catch limits and also include a major change in how the fishery will be managed. With the support of NOAA the New England Fishery Management Council has developed these strong and innovative management measures.
NOAA said that for the first time, there will be a cap on the amount of all groundfish of any species that are permitted to be caught. In addition, there will be measures to mitigate if the catch limits are exceeded. These measures provide some of the strongest safeguards to date for recovering groundfish stocks, the majority of which are overfished, and are required to meet the mandates of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
Under new measures fishing vessels may now fish with others as a group, or “sector.” Sectors, which are voluntary for fishing vessels, are formed each year and given a portion of the total available groundfish catch based on the combined fishing history of their member vessels. Fishermen who participate in a fishing sector have more control over where and how they want to fish in order to target healthy fish stocks and avoid the stocks in the worst condition.
NOAA officials have met with fishermen and community leaders from around the Northeast regarding the changes coming to the groundfish industry. With the help and support of regional congressional leaders and other elected officials, NOAA has committed to work to take advantage of scientifically sound flexibility within the law, adaptive opportunities, and economic assistance to help fishermen and fishing communities adjust to these changes.
Patricia Kurkul, NOAA’s northeast fisheries regional administrator, said that fishermen are understandably apprehensive about the changes, not only because they mean significant catch cuts, but also because for many it means doing business in a completely new way. Also included in today’s announcement is NOAA’s commitment to work with the council on issues related to groundfish fleet consolidation and on a pilot program for a gillnet haddock fishery using specialized gear to limit unwanted catch of other species.
