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Senator Snowe Calls Fisheries Hearing
The New England Fishery Management Council is currently drafting new management measures for fishing year 2010 that would drastically change the manner in which the fishery operates, and the National Marine Fisheries Service is developing new, and potentially devastating, interim regulations for fishing year 2009. Federal regulation restricts many Maine boats to 48 DAS–down from 110 days in 1990. Federal regulators are gearing up for a sector management plan–which would require costly monitoring paid for by the industry. That plan will not be ready before May 2009. As a result, DAS cuts are the temporary answer until either a sector plan is ready, or a viable alternative management plan is adopted. While the industry and regulators search for solutions in meeting federal laws requiring the rebuilding of sustainable populations of fish, they’ve got to find a way that won’t put Maine’s fishermen out of business, and drive coastal and island infrastructure and economies into collapse. Acting Assistant Administrator of NMFS James Balsiger, said, “There is no silver bullet that will solve all of the problems in this fishery.” While Georges Bank and Gulf of Maine (GOM) haddock are nearly rebuilt and increases in southern windowpane and yellowtail flounder, Federal law requires rebuilding of all fish stocks by 2014. Balsiger stated that “over-fishing is still occurring in 13 stocks–five more than in 2004.” John Williamson, fish conservation program manager for the Ocean Conservancy, warned that by not taking any action in 2009, the situation would worsen by 2010. “Science is not the problem,” he said, “It’s how we use the science.” He said that mistakes were made in the past – that requirements for rebuilding stocks were put in place, but not for the industry or communities. Williamson questioned, “How do you build a viable industry when people’s recsouces to cope have been exhausted by such a protracted process?” Williamson’s agency supports staying on course, rebuilding stocks. Jim Odlin said he thinks boats fishing in Maine will never survive an 18 percent cut (in DAS) adding “We’re losing quota to Canada.” Odlin requested that interim measures be implemented as an alternative to DAS cuts. He also said, “Our current management system is broken, it needs to be fixed before the last fisherman leaves Maine.” Several Maine boats have left to fish elsewhere. Buyouts could cause a shift of permits out of Maine, and into corporate control. Dan Holland from the Gulf of Maine Research Institute said sectors threaten small communities–if sectors increase the value of permits, their cost could rise above what smaller boats can afford. Craig Pendleton, whose roots are from a long established line of fishermen, has his boat and permits for sale. Pendleton, former head of the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance, resigned that position earlier this year. “I am the last Pendleton to fish out of Saco.” He laid out a scenario where it had become impossible for him to fish. Maine’s groundfish fleet is half the size it was in 1994. Maine DMR’s Terry Stockwell said, “If management continues on its current path, the industry is in danger of collapse.” “What is the standard for declaring a disaster?” asked Sen. Snowe. “Define disaster – This should be a slam-dunk,” Snowe said. No such guideline exists. Many see Maine’s groundfishery headed for the knock-out round, where an 18% cut in days at sea could become a reality. Maine’s small fishing operations are in danger of disappearing at a time when the value of locally based fishing fleets is being rediscovered in other parts of the world. Port Clyde fisherman Glen Libby said, “The stocks have not rebuilt because the DAS system does not work.” adding, “Only 76 Maine boats landed catch in 2007, (in 1990, there were 350 boats). We need to keep this food source here in Maine.” A way “needs to be established to keep Maine’s fishermen fishing.” Libby said the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model is a way to avoid consolidation of the fisheries and Maine boats fishing. He asked Sen. Snowe to provide an alternate management plan. The market system we currently have is based on volume. Libby’s approach–using technology which limits by-catch, re-developing local marketing, lowering volume demands with higher value–is a plan which many fishermen believe could preserve coastal communities in Maine by keeping more fishermen fishing. |
