Page 14. MAINE COASTAL NEWS February 2009
Commercial Fishing News
MISCELLANEOUS COMMERCIAL FISHING NEWS
advance notice of proposed rulemaking in Bank (GBK) stock and much of the Gulf of ther, limited access programs in other lobster
Continued from Page 9.
the Federal Register. Maine (GOM) stock and decreased abun- management areas have the potential to
Government, along with a recommendation There has been a dramatic increase in dance and recruitment, yet continued high cause fishermen who do not qualify in that
that the states and Federal Government take fishing effort since the 1970s and effort con- fishing mortality rates, for the Southern New area to shift trap fishing operations to Area 1,
action (e.g., enact regulations) in furtherance tinues at historically high levels. NMFS esti- England (SNE) stock and in Statistical Area the last remaining open access area. An un-
of this strategy. The Federal Government is mates that each American lobster trap re- 514 (Massachusetts Bay and Stellwagen checked increase in effort in the lobster trap
obligated by statute to support the mains in the water about 30 percent longer Bank) in the GOM stock. Of particular con- fishery, as a result of a shift from non-trap to
Commission’s American Lobster Interstate than in 1970 before being hauled. Current cern in the 2005 stock assessment report is trap gear and/or as a result of an influx of
Fishery Management Plan (ISFMP) and fishing effort removes a large proportion of the SNE stock, where depleted stock abun- fishing operations from other areas to Area 1,
overall fishery management efforts. At its lobsters before they have had a chance to dance and recruitment coupled with high may jeopardize current efforts to achieve the
October 2008 Annual Meeting, the Commis- spawn even once, and the average size of fishing mortality rates over the past few years objectives of the ISFMP and rebuild stocks.
sion voted to initiate an addendum to the lobsters landed continues to drop. The most led the stock assessment and peer review For these reasons, NMFS, in consulta-
ISFMP that includes options for a limited recent peer-reviewed lobster stock assess- panel to recommend additional harvest re- tion with the Commission, is considering
entry program for Area 1. In the same motion, ment, completed in 2005, showed that the strictions. The SNE stock encompasses all of proposed rulemaking to address whether and
the Commission voted to request the Secre- American lobster resource presents a mixed Areas 4, 5, and 6, and part of Areas 2 and 3. how to limit entry of vessels which have not
tary of Commerce publish a control date in the picture (see the Commission Stock Assess- Overall, stock abundance in the GOM is rela- fished with traps in Area 1 in the past from
Federal Register that may be used to limit ment Report No. 06-03, published January tively high with recent fishing mortality com- fishing in Area 1 with traps in the future, or
future participation in the Area 1 Federal 2006 at www.asmfc.org). One theme through- parable to the past. The GOM stock encom- which have not fished with traps in the past
American lobster trap fishery to those Fed- out the assessment was the high fishing passes all of Area 1, and part of both Area 3 from fishing with traps in the future. The
eral permit holders who could document trap effort and high mortality rates in all three and the Outer Cape Management Area. Cur- proposed rulemaking may include potential
fishing history prior to the control date. The stock areas. The assessment indicated that rently, high lobster fishing effort levels in eligibility criteria that would prove trap fish-
control date is the publication date of this there is stable abundance for the Georges GOM continue in concert with high stock ing history or trap fishing history in Area 1
abundance, although high effort levels are prior to the date of this notice. Such proof
Complete Yacht Service in the Maine Tradition
not likely to be supportable if abundance might include, but is not necessarily limited to
returns to long-term median levels. The GBK documentation of fishing for lobster with
stock seems stable, with current abundance traps, documentation of the purchase of lob-
and fishing mortality similar to the 20-year ster trap tags, and/or the election of Area 1 on
average. The GBK stock encompasses part of their Federal lobster vessel permit. Further,
Areas 2, 3, and the Outer Cape Management proof may or may not be required for multiple
Area. While the assessment noted the female years preceding the date of this notice, for
proportion of the GBK stock is increasing example, proof of Area 1 trap fishing history
slightly, it also cautioned that further in- for the 2008, 2007 and/or 2006 fishing sea-
creases in effort are not advisable, hence, the sons.
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NMFS is also aware that recent con- particular management regime or criteria for
WOTTON’S WHARF
straints on participation in several traditional entry into the fishery. Fishermen would not
otter trawl fisheries, including the Mid-At- be guaranteed future participation in the fish-
Southport, Maine Boothbay Harbor, Maine
207.633.2970 • brby.com • VHF Channel 9 207.633.7440 • wottonswharf.com • VHF Channel 9
lantic summer flounder, scup, and black sea ery regardless of their entry date or intensity
bass fisheries and the New England of participation in the fishery before or after
multispecies fisheries, and broader use of the control date under consideration. NMFS,
area closures may result in a shift in non-trap in consultation with the Commission, may
lobster fishing effort to the lobster trap fish- choose to use a different control date, or to
ery by vessels that have traditionally har-
Continued on Page 16.
vested lobsters by non-trap methods. Fur-
Eat Lobster! Do Good!
Help! There’s a lobster glut in Maine! But the good
news is the price has never been lower. While this is a
treat for you, it’s wicked bad for the Maine lobsterman,
who is becoming an endangered species. You can help
by eating lobster. And by purchasing this sweet t-shirt.
It’s only $14.99, and Grundéns and Hamilton Marine
are donating half the proceeds to the Maine Fisher-
man’s Forum. C’mon, eat lobster, do good.
Size Order#
Small 172047
Medium 172048
Large 172049
XLarge 172050
XXLarge 172051
HAMILTON
MARINE
HM
PORTLAND ROCKLAND SEARSPORT SOUTHWEST HARBOR JONESPORT
800-639-2715 hamiltonmarine.com
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