December 2015 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 13. MISCELLANEOUS COMMERCIAL FISHING NEWS
2016. For more information, please contact Kirby Rootes-Murdy, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at krootes-murdy@asm-
fc.org or 703.842.0740.
New law empowers U.S. to combat illegal fi shing and seafood fraud, and
promote the sustainable management of international fi sheries
Implements international agreements restricting port access for vessels involved with illegal fi shing, promotes sustainable management of eastern Pacifi c fi shery President Obama has signed the Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing Enforcement Act, marking another critical step in the Administration’s efforts to com- bat IUU fi shing and seafood fraud. The bi-partisan legislation, signed by the President yesterday, includes a number of provisions preventing illegally harvested fi sh from entering the United States, and sup- ports efforts to achieve sustainable fi sheries around the world. The U.S. will now join a global effort to ratify and implement the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), which will prevent vessels carrying fi sh caught illegally from entering U.S. ports and keep illegal product out of U.S. markets. Implementation of the agreement was
the fi rst recommendation of the IUU Action Plan, released in March by the President’s Task Force on Combatting IUU and Seafood Fraud, an interagency group co- chaired by the Departments of Commerce and State.
“Illegal, unreported, and unregulated
fi shing undermines both the economic and environmental sustainability of our nation’s fi sheries,” said Kathryn Sullivan, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “Combatting IUU fi shing and seafood fraud is critical to sustaining the resilience of our global ocean fi sheries, to leveling the playing fi eld for the United States fi shing and seafood industries, and to protecting the United States’ reputation as a leader in sustainable seafood. Passage of this bill is a step in the right direction, and will help the United States advance its ongoing efforts to achieve sustainable fi sheries.”
The United States now joins 13 other nations that have already ratifi ed the PSMA, which will be legally binding once a total of 25 countries have ratifi ed it. “We lose billions of dollars globally
C&C Machine
· Complete Engine Re- building, Engine Balance, Crank Welding/Grinding, Pressure Testing, Cast Iron/Alum Crack Repair
· Custom Machining Fabri- cation of Steel, Aluminum, Stainless
· Steel, Aluminum, and Stainless Inventory & Gas Welding Depot
667-6910
Over 20 years in Business 328 Bucksport Rd., Suite 1, Ellsworth Monday - Friday
A FULL SERVICE YARD
Gasoline · Diesel · Marine Store Laundry · Showers Telephone · Ice
EVINRUDE/JOHNSON
OUTBOARD SALES & SERVICE ELECTRONICS INSTALLATIONS FLOAT & MOORING SERVICE
LOCATED IN CRADLE COVE WITH GREAT ANCHORAGE
INSIDE STORAGE SPACE AVAILABLE
CALL FOR DETAILS
700 Acre Island, P.O. Box 25 Lincolnville, ME 04849 207-734-2246 · VHF 09
Eric has a great collection of rowboats and kayaks for sale at reasonable prices! ERIC DOW BOAT SHOP
Builder of Traditional Small Craft. Repair and Restoration. P.O. Box 7, Brooklin, Maine (207) 359-2277
each year to IUU fi shing, which is often associated with other illegal activities such as human traffi cking,” said Catherine No- velli, under secretary of state for economic growth, energy, and the environment. “We will work with partner nations around the world to ensure that 25 countries ratify the Port State Measures Agreement and allow it to enter into force. We are more than halfway there, and the U.S. is committed to getting this fi nalized as soon as possible. Together, we can stop illegal fi sh from entering ports around the world and ensure a healthy and bountiful ocean for future generations.” The United States has already imple- mented most of the measures outlined in the PSMA domestically, and this formal ratifi cation provides the United States ad- ditional leverage to encourage ratifi cation and adoption of these measures by other countries so that it will apply to ports around the world.
In addition, the measure will allow the United States to ratify the Antigua Conven- tion and fully participate in the work of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission, which manages tunas and other highly mi- gratory species in the eastern Pacifi c Ocean. The Task Force has also recommend- ed strengthening domestic enforcement authorities to address illegal fi sh and fi sh products that have already entered the U.S. supply chain. Currently, U.S. fi sheries law focuses on at-sea or dockside enforcement of domestic fi shing operations and does not provide the tools needed to address imported seafood and fi shing violations. As identifi ed by the Task Force public comment process, these are crucial gaps in federal authorities that prevent agencies from monitoring all of the seafood supply chain and fully protecting law-abiding U.S. fi shermen and consumers. The Administration looks for- ward to continuing to work with Congress on these essential domestic provisions.
Atlantic Striped Bass Fishing in the EEZ: Restrictions Support Sustainabili- ty of Species
In an effort to ensure the healthy popu- lation of the striped bass in the Mid-Atlantic region, NOAA’s Offi ce of Law Enforcement (OLE) is raising awareness of the federal regulations governing striped bass in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and in- creasing targeted enforcement efforts to protect the species from illegal poaching
"We encourage your support and membership!"
Working together, we can speak as one to maintain our fi sh- eries, working families and working waterfronts.
PO Box 88 Belfast, ME 04915
207-338-1406 207-322-1924 207-322-1928
www.downeastlobstermen.org
NEED A ROWBOAT OR KAYAK? activities.
“Right now, the striped bass are be- ginning to migrate south from the northern states,” said Lt. Wynn Carney, OLE supervi- sory enforcement offi cer. “The striped bass will follow the bait south near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, and in spring they will begin making their way up our streams and rivers to lay eggs.” According to the Atlantic States Ma- rine Fisheries Commission, overfi shing and poor environmental conditions lead to the collapse of the Atlantic striped bass fi shery in the 1980s.
In order to ensure the sustainability of the species, the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act, found in Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regula- tions part 697.7, was promulgated. Thus, during the months of November through February, NOAA Offi ce of Law Enforce- ment is joining state and federal marine law enforcement organizations in supporting a focused enforcement effort, targeting ves- sels retaining and fi shing for striped bass in the EEZ. Marine law enforcement offi cers, including OLE and the U.S. Coast Guard, in the Mid-Atlantic will be ticketing fi shermen who violate these regulations and who target striped bass within the EEZ.
“I am excited about the Mid-Atlantic States conducting a focused enforcement
Commercial Fishing News
effort,” said Carney. “It’s signifi cant that we’re working together toward a common goal.”
For maximum enforcement, offi cers will be conducting at-sea, aerial, and dock- side inspections.
For more information, call your local
OLE fi eld offi ce or visit
http://www.asmfc. Continued on Page 21.
NAUTICAL SCRIBE BOOKS
UTICAL SCRIBE BOOKS
Maritime Books & Furnishings New and Used
132 Church Street Belfast, ME (207) 218-1006 Open Tues - Sat 11 to 5
nauticalscribe@gmail.com www.nauticalscribebooks.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30