According to the Division of Marine Fisheries the season will reopen for one day at a time until the seasonal quota is satisfied, trawlers will be limited to tows lasting 30 minutes because, according to research, limiting the time nets in the water are pulled can lessen mortality. Division Director Louis Daniel said that trawlers were found to have been operating legally, yet state officials decided to modify catch limits from 50 fish a day to 2,000 lb and allowed catches that would exceed the limit to be transferred to other vessels on the waters.
He added that as the season finishes fishermen need to know that the vents have occurred and the concerns that have been expressed by the public and do everything they can to avoid the appearance of waste. But some critics argue the new limit will not make a big difference, since 50 large fish could easily weigh 2,000 lb.
After its 6-2 vote last week to reopen the season for trawling, the commission requested that the division come up with a proposal to allow for a commercial hook and line fishery; the idea will be discussed at a future meeting.
