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February 2011 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 13. Commercial Fishing News MISCELLANEOUS COMMERCIAL FISHING NEWS


rector of the Coalition stated, It’s in the best interest of the U.S. to maintain a strong indus- try for job growth. Industry-wide marketing efforts will grow demand for seafood, in- crease its value, grow the economy, increase jobs in the industry and increase tax rev- enues. These economic benefits will also be accompanied by an increase in the health of Americans as consumption of seafood in- creases.


A steering Committee is being created with three delegates from each of the five regions. The steering committee will con- tinue to work on national legislation, develop specific operational plans and a budget pro- cess for moving forward. In a surprise effort, the Coalition received early funding support from the Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers (ABSC). Jim Stone, who is the ABSC representative to the Coalition says: In these difficult eco- nomic times, promotion of America’s domes- tic seafood production offers clear economic benefits for the country. ABSC wants to show our support for the Coalition and be the first in the industry to write a check. We challenge all industry sectors to come onboard and follow our lead.


To date, 46 letters of support have been sent to Congressional leaders from around the U.S., including a letter from Alaska’s Governor Sean Parnell with resolutions from the Florida, Maine and Alaska legislatures, urging Congress to act on legislation to cre- ate a National Seafood Marketing Fund. ASMFC Northern Shrimp Section and Advisory Panel Meetings Scheduled for February 28, 2011


The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Northern Shrimp Section and Advisory Panel will be meeting on February 28, at the Urban Forestry Center, 45 Elwyn Road, Portsmouth, NH. The Advisory Panel will meet from 9:00 AM to Noon, followed by the Section meeting from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The purpose of these meetings is to review the available northern shrimp land- ings data for the 2010/2011 season and deter- mine if an adjustment to the season’s ending date is warranted. During this meeting the Section and Advisory Panel will also review a draft Public Information Document for an amendment to the Northern Shrimp Fishery Management Plan.


These meetings are being scheduled as a result of decisions made by the Section at a meeting on November 3, 2011. The Section agreed to assess the pace of the fishery in late February to evaluate where the total landings are relative to the target harvest level of 4,000 mt. If necessary, the Section may adjust the closing date to prevent an overage of the target or extend the season to ensure suffi- cient opportunity to harvest the target. The Section also agreed to initiate an amendment to the Northern Shrimp Fishery Management Plan to clarify the fishing mortality reference points, consider the use of trip limits, explore potential gear modifications, and address other issues that arise during the scoping process.


As they become available, meeting ma- terials will be posted to the Commission’s website on its meetings page (http:// www.asmfc.org/meetings.htm). For more in- formation, please contact Bob Beal, ISFMP Director, at rbeal@asmfc.org.


Snowe Reiterates Concern Over Fisheries Law Enforcement Misconduct


WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Olym- pia J. Snowe (R-Maine), Ranking Member of the Senate subcommittee on Oceans, Atmo- sphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard, released the following statement today after Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke announced this week that he would limit the type of fisheries enforcement cases eligible to be reviewed by a “Special Master” appointed to determine the credibility and appropriateness of fines and other penalties against fishermen in the northeast region. Secretary Locke also de- nied requests to freeze pending fines levied against fisherman while their cases are under review.


“I continue to be dismayed and disheart- ened that the Secretary of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis- tration continue to downplay the severity of the allegations levied by the Department of Commerce’s Inspector General. If the Secre- tary were truly interested in shining the full light of day on his Department’s enforcement decisions, he would insist the review be all- encompassing. Instead, he has imposed undue limitations that will only serve to in- crease suspicion of the agency’s actions,”


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said Senator Snowe.


A Commerce Department report in Sep- tember probed 27 specific cases—26 of which occurred in the northeast region—in which fishermen alleged misconduct by in- vestigators and agents. The Inspector Gen- eral confirmed the fishermen’s accounts in 9 of those cases and determined that 13 others were inconclusive. The inequitable balance between the northeast and other regions of the country is consistent with findings in previous reports, including that fines in the northeast region were two and a half times higher than in the next highest region. The systemic, nationwide issues have been ad- versely affecting NOAA’s ability to regulate the fishing industry.


“Additionally, I could not disagree more with the Secretary’s decision not to suspend payment of fines pending the outcome of the Special Master’s review of cases. In fact, after the egregious violations found by the


Inspector General, the onus must be on the agency to prove its enforcement actions were reasonable. Clearly, my call to rebuild the climate of trust in the northeast region be- tween managers and fishermen is falling on deaf ears.


Despite all assurances from agency leaders that they are doing all in their power to address the IG’s findings, the pace of reform within NOAA has been glacial at best, and I am working with my colleagues in the New England delegation to develop leg- islation to deal with this problem with as much clarity as the situation warrants,” added Senator Snowe.


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