“I’m concerned about conflict of interest,” said council member David Pierce, who called for transparency in the process.” Fishermen's Voice photo

In a letter regarding 12 of the sector applications, the Northeast Seafood Coalition in New Bedford, Mass., said that, at this point in “the evolution of a ‘crazy quilt’ of management measures,” they
had little choice but to advise its membership to submit sector applications.

However, NSC said, they remain committed to working with NEFMC on the original objective “to develop innovative and more biologically responsive catch-based management alternatives that will result in an equitable allocation of the fishery.” They reiterated concerns about the allocation process “degenerating into an ad hoc, first come first serve feeding frenzy.”

Council member Sally McGee said it’s important for NEFMC to emphasize that alternative proposals are not being put off indefinitely, “that we’re in fact committed to making a big-picture change, as was advertised originally” and not just continually changing the DAS system.

David Pierce said it will also be important to identify to what extent NEFMC members themselves will be part of any sector. “I’m concerned about conflict of interest,” said Pierce, who called for transparency in the process.

“The point system and area management can continue to be developed. We want to be pro-active,” said Vito Giacalone of the Northeast Seafood Coalition in Gloucester, Mass.

Giacalone asked about guidelines and resources in writing for continued engagement. “We want to participate in the amendment process,” he said. “We support it on the grounds of inclusion.”

“We presented our area management plan eight months ago, but they (the council) made a motion today without consideration of area management.” — Craig Pendleton Fishermen's Voice photo

“They narrowed their options by pulling area management, the point system and ITQs off the table,” Gary Libby of the Midcoast Fishermen’s Alliance said later. “They pulled it because of the timeline, the pressure of the mandate from the Magnuson Stevens Act. The decision to go to days-at-sea was based on their being familiar with it. The pressure of the 2009 deadline was driving the council’s direction.”

The focus of Amendment 16 will be to modify the DAS system to meet mortality objectives, adopt the new requirement for Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures, and adopt new sectors or modifications to existing sectors using a fixed qualification baseline. All sectors will be required to request a total allowable catch for all groundfish stocks. Specific DAS changes were remanded back to the Groundfish Committee for consideration.

In addition, NEFMC recommended a performance standard to use when evaluating whether gear can be used in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock Special Access Program or the Category B (regular) DAS Program (trawl gear only). This standard will be forwarded to the National Marine Fisheries Service. If adopted by NMFS, this means that other gear may be approved in the future for use in these programs.

NEFMC also recommended that NMFS reduce the minimum size limit for Georges Bank haddock to 17 inches through emergency action in order to reduce discards that are attributable to the slow growth of haddock. This recommendation will be forwarded to NMFS.