Science-based management is necessary but when there’s not enough science, the door is wide open for manipulation by special interests. And this kind of manipulation is occurring now, which demands the need for continued research and additional federal fisheries observers. Two groups of groundfishermen has filed suit against the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Marine Fisheries Service and the secretary of commerce.
The suit was filed to seek ban of another group of fishermen, engage in midwater trawling for herring and mackerel, from certain areas of the ocean. The main point is that that these areas are closed to commercial groundfishing by fisheries regulators in an attempt to ensure sufficient spawning stocks to rebuild roughly a dozen species depleted by overfishing.
This put the groundfish species in trouble and as herring and mackerel are often found in the areas closed to groundfishing their fate is in stake. But the scientists and fisheries regulators have determined that fishing for pelagic species, herring and mackerel, in these areas doesn’t have a biologically significant impact on groundfish spawning stocks.
The lawsuit petition has been rejected by NOAA that demands the closure of the groundfish areas to midwater trawlers. NOAA noted that observer data indicate bycatch levels were within an acceptable range and that the plaintiffs had not provided new information to justify emergency action.
