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+--- Thread: dont let draggers ruin your fishing (/showthread.php?tid=318297)
dont let draggers ruin your fishing - tomc - 03-17-2007
[font "verdana, arial, helvetica"][size 2]Hi Guys,
My name is John Rice. I am a commercial fisherman from Centerville,
Ma., on Cape Cod. I am writing you for your assistance in a situation
which, after I explain it, you will no doubt be concerned.
Thursday, there was a meeting of the Ma. Marine Fisheries Commission,
in Gloucester. I have attached the agenda for the meeting.(below
message)
One item "Recommendation for action on public petition to increase mobile gear access to Collier’s Ledge, south of Cape
Cod", listed in action items, is of serious concern. This public
petition was first heard of last spring at public hearings, before the
spring squid season, it was submitted by two draggermen, one from
Hyannis and one from Marshfield. The petition, as written was a request
to an extension on access inside the three mile line for an additional
week, specifically, the first week of May. The Marine Fisheries
Commission Chair, Vito Calomo, told fishermen and DMF at the public
hearings that he would like to see some sort of compromise to be made.
A little background is in order I suppose.
The squid trawl fishery in Nantucket Sound open's annually beginning
April 23, when draggers are allowed to access the area inside the three
mile line, more specifically, a straight line drawn between Succonesset
Pt., Mashpee and Point Gammon, Great Island, Yarmouth. It is important
to note that previous to 1990, the draggers had not been lawfully able
to [url "http://www.fishingmessageboards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=15067#"][blue][size 2]fish[/size][/blue][/url] above that line at all since 1938 and the access was only
granted as a concession by DMF in 1990, who at the time stated that
they (DMF) were unable to enforce the regulations due to a lack of
enforcement capability. Several trawlers told DMF at public hearing
that they had been fishing inside, illegally during the last week of
April for several years. traditionally the trawlers have to stay
outside this line after May 1'st, however they can still fish state
waters ( and federal with proper permits) using small mesh (squid mesh)
until the end of squid season which has been varied in it's end date
and is at the discretion of DMF, but typically is June 15'th. This
decision by the Marine Fisheries Commission changes this.
The DMF was willing to recommend that the trawlers be given an extra
week inside the line, but before the normal opening, not after. Many
more persons commenting publicly were against any extension of access
at all. The commission was in a tie vote when this was voted on and
there was a commissioner not present who would definitely have voted
for the DMF's recommendation and the earlier start. The Chair, who
typically doesn't vote, broke the tie in favor of the later extension.
This will have extremely negative consequences for Nantucket Sound and
surrounding waters. The way it work now, there is a 2500 lb. trip limit
for loligo squid, because 80% of the federal quota has been caught by
the time the April opening occurs, but May 1'st is the beginning of a
new quota period and there is no trip limit until 80% is reached again.
The squid will be highly concentrated in the area in question at the
time in question and catch rates will be terrific. This will displace
many recreational fishermen, many many charter and party [url "http://www.fishingmessageboards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=15067#"][blue][size 2]boat[/size][/blue][/url]
operators, this will affect the fish availability locally and nearby as
scup, sea bass, fluke and of course, [url "http://www.fishingmessageboards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=15067#"][blue][size 2]striped bass[/size][/blue][/url] all follow the squid
and a lack of food for them equals a lack of fish for everyone.
What I'd like from you- your help in getting the word out. I need to
get people to contact DMF and let them know they are mad about this. If
there is a most popular forum at your site, that you feel this would
attract the most attention, please, let me know, I will write something
brief there,along with pertinent contact info.
I appreciate your time, I realize this is a little long winded.
Best regards ,
John Rice
Let
the DMF know that this is unacceptable and you are against letting the
trawlers access this area in May. Do it or you will regret not doing it.
Please contact [url "mailto:paul.diodati@state.ma.us"][#000020]paul.diodati@state.ma.us[/#000020][/url]
Or phone the director at (617) 626-1530
*********************************************
MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Gloucester, MA
Please note that this meeting will begin at 11:00 AM at the Gloucester Field Station
1. Introductions and announcements
2. Review and approval of agenda
3. Review and approval of January minutes
4. Executive Session (if needed)
5. Chairman’s comments
6. Commissioner’s comments
7. Director’s comments
8. Law enforcement report
9. LUNCH
10. Action Items
· Recommendation for action on public petition to ban gillnets in state waters
· Recommendations for action on tautog and summer flounder conservation measures
· Recommendation for action on public petition to increase mobile gear access to Collier’s Ledge, south of Cape Cod
· Recommendation for action on annual declaration of commercial spiny dogfish trip limit
11. Discussion Items
· Regulation of gillnets in state waters
· Governor’s Request for Fisheries Disaster Relief to Secretary of Commerce
· Discussion of public petition re: fish pot and black sea bass hook sector
· Upcoming public hearings
· Revised policy for allocation of traps to commercial lobstermen in Outer Cape Cod LCMA with [url "http://www.fishingmessageboards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=15067#"][blue][size 2]SCUBA[/size][/blue][/url] history
12. Marine Fisheries Commissioner Comments
Directions to the Annisquam River Marine Fisheries Station (30 Emerson Ave.):
· From Route 128, take first exit off rotary onto Washington St.
· Go RIGHT onto Centennial Ave.
· Veer RIGHT onto Emerson Ave
· The station is about 250 yards on the left
NEXT MFC MEETING SCHEDULED FOR
THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2007[/size][/font]
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