Accumulation Limits and Diversity Draw Uproar at NEFMC

by Fishermen’s Voice Photo

Newport, RI There was an uproar over procedure at the New England Fisheries Management Council (NEFMC) November 15th meeting in Newport, R.I. Critics said the council ignored procedure when it failed to call for public comment before a key council vote.

During the setting of work priorities for 2012, high on the list was the establishment of accumulation limits on quota and insuring fleet diversity-access to the resource by small and large vessels. These were also high priorities for many of the fishermen who traveled from around New England to support these issues at the meeting.

Scituate, MA fisherman Stephen Welch said he thought the public comment was pushed aside. Welch noted that fisheries managers regularly say “fishermen need to attend these meetings if they want to effect the outcomes. But, here we traveled to R.I. and we were left out of the process.”

Proceedure calls for a discussion of the details of each priority or motion, followed by public comment from those in the audience before the council votes. When a motion was made on the accumulation limits priority, public comment was heard. As often happens the council made amendments to that motion. After which public comment was supposed to be taken again on the changes, but in this case it was not.

Fisherman and council member David Goethals spoke to the council and the audience saying that small boats are being squeezed out. “Large vessels are back in the Western Gulf of Maine and they are pushing small fishing boats off the ocean.” said Goethals. He said that the situation was entirely predictable since the council (NEFMC) has continued to ignore the problem.

Gillnetting gear is being dragged away and smaller 40' draggers literally flee powerful fast moving large fishing vessels bearing down on them, he said. His comments drew a standing applause, cheering and whistling from the audience.

Council Chairman Rip Cunningham later noted that it was his first season as chairman saying he was mistaken to have not called for public comment after the final amendment. When he then asked for comment the audience replied that it made no difference at that point as the vote had been completed.

There will be scoping sessions (public hearings) scheduled for public discussion regarding the development of accumulation limits on quota and insuring fleet diversity in the coming months. The scoping session schedule is not yet available, check back.

Aaron Dority from Penobscot East Resouce Center in Stonington, Maine pointed out the importance of these scoping sessions where options will be discussed. He encouraged all fishermen to attend. “Fishermen with New England multi-species permits will be the most listened to. The goal is to make what we have work through limits on quota accumulation and protecting fleet diversity,” said Dority.

“Around the world, those places where fleet diversity was protected early have had the most success in preserving fleet diversity and the quality of their fishing communities”, said Dority.
Welch said, “We need protections for inshore fishermen. We need to protect against localized depletion of the stocks throughout New England.”