It is fact that with increasing demand of seafood the populations of the aquatic species is declining. In an effort to give these species opportunity to breed and repopulate, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has came up with stricter regulations that gave commercial fishermen license to catch for a specific number of days each year rather than 24/7.
The decision of NMFS displeases the fishermen as they cannot live without their livelihood, the fishing. It is true that some groundfish stocks have begun to return in some areas, but the natural process will likely require additional protection and time in order to succeed.
Ian Bowles, secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), joined forces with the state Department of Fish and Game (DFG) has came up with an alternative to the federal “Days At Sea” regulatory system will be developed. He said that some actions should be taken to assist the state’s commercial fishermen. Meanwhile the state Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) is developing the federal application needed to speed up the distribution of $13.4 million in emergency federal aid to the Massachusetts groundfish fishing fleet and coastal communities dependent on the industry.
State Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Mary Griffin told that the fishing fleet is working hard to find new ways to protect the fish stocks they rely on and maintain the industry their communities depend on. U.S. Rep. Barney Frank welcomed the state’s involvement in fisheries issues saying with the improvement of the management of fisheries there should be flexible policies that can keep fisheries sustainable without inflicting undue economic harm on fishing communities.
