|
|
June 29, 2008
Patricia Kurkul, Regional Administrator
National Marine Fisheries Service
One Blackburn Drive
Gloucester, MA 01930
RE: Herring Amendment 4 Scoping Comments
Dear Ms. Kurkul,
I am writing to you today on behalf of the undersigned CHOIR Coalition supporters to provide scoping comments on
Amendment 4 to the Herring FMP (“amendment”). CHOIR is an industry coalition made up of commercial and recreational
fishing organizations, fishing and shore side businesses, researchers and eco-tourism companies. CHOIR is recognized
as a stakeholder in the herring fishery and is a leading voice for the responsible management of the herring resource.
First and foremost, this amendment must be used to create and implement an effective government and/or third-party
monitoring system for 100% of the catch in the herring fishery. Furthermore, catch must be clearly defined to include the
entire contents of the net. The current system is entirely inadequate: observer coverage is far too low and erratic; there
is not enough shore-side monitoring; landings data is neither accurate nor timely; there is too much reliance on
unverified industry reporting; and loopholes in the regulations allow for partial or whole codends to be dumped at sea
without being sampled, even on observed trips (slippage).
To address these and other problems, the amendment should ensure that there is 100% catch monitoring. Everything in
the net when it is brought to the boat must be accounted for and sampled, whether it is retained or not. There are
multiple methods that could allow for this level of monitoring, including the use of more observers, electronic monitoring, a
combination of both, or other tools. While maximized retention would be ideal, if catch is dumped at sea, it must be
sampled before it is dumped. Finally, the amendment should put in place a landings system that provides for certified
offloads and actual weights, with the data reported in real time (or as close to real time as possible). There are multiple
funding solutions for these changes, including quota set-asides, application of Magnuson Stevens Reauthorization Act
herring research funds, industry funding, and increased NMFS funding.
Second, this amendment should be used to further promote the offshore herring fishery (assuming that there is
increased monitoring) and to protect inshore herring stocks and the predators and people that interact with and rely on
them. This could be done by using inshore time and area closures (including gear restricted areas), by prohibiting
midwater trawling in Groundfish Closed Areas (including rolling closures), and by creating new measures to pace out the
fishery so as to avoid temporal and spatial forage depletion. You should also use these tools to address the longstanding
gear conflicts between inshore fishermen and the herring fleet. For too long we have watched as the inshore areas (and
those who rely on them) have been devastated by parts of this fleet and it is time for this problem to be fully addressed.
Finally, we strongly urge that the Council does not attempt to use this amendment for allocation purposes. Until you
install an accurate monitoring system you will not have the data needed to go forward with allocation; at this time, any
allocation would likely be both difficult and wrong as it would be based on faulty data. The impact this would have on
fishing communities would be negative, both because it would possibly drive out many of the owner/operators in the
fishery, while also serving to disrupt the price and supply of bait for the lobster industry. Attempting to do allocation in this
amendment will also slow the amendment process down and further delay the important monitoring and conservation
needs that need to be addressed as soon as possible.
In short, we urge the Council to use this amendment to fix the many problems within the herring fishery. The herring
resource is far too important for it to be managed with a system as inadequate as the one in place today. Time and time
again this system has shown its glaring weaknesses and the time has come to fix it, once and for all. This amendment
should also promote the offshore herring fishery we all expected (assuming, again, that monitoring is increased) by
addressing the longstanding concerns regarding inshore depletion of herring stocks, bycatch, and gear conflict. And
lastly, this amendment should exclude allocation by delaying it to a future vehicle. This region relies on herring and there
is no excuse for further delaying these important changes.
Thanks for your time,
Steve Weiner, Chair
On behalf of the undersigned groups, businesses and others:
Commercial Fishing Associations/Organizations
East Coast Tuna Association, Executive Director Rich Ruais, Salem, NH
General Category Tuna Association, Executive Director Peter Weiss, Boston, MA
North Shore Community Tuna Association, President Mark Godfried, Saugus, MA
Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen’s Association, Ex.Director Paul Parker, N Chatham, MA
Midcoast Fishermen’s Association, Chairman Glen Libby, Port Clyde, ME
Georges Bank Cod Hook Sector, President Kenneth Eldredge, N Chatham, MA
Georges Bank Cod Fixed Gear Sector, Manager Eric Brazer, Jr., N Chatham, MA
Northeast Hook Fishermen’s Association, President Marc Stettner, Portsmouth, NH
Port Clyde Draggermen’s Co-Op, President Glen Libby, Port Clyde, ME
Downeast Initiative, Project Director Aaron Dority, Stonington, ME
Recreational and Charter Fishing Associations/Organizations
Recreational Fishing Alliance, Executive Director Jim Donofrio, New Gretna, NJ
Stellwagen Bank Charter Boat Association, President Tom Depersia, Marshfield, MA
Northeast Charterboat Captain’s Association, President Rich Milligan, Revere, MA
Maine Association of Charter Captains, Captain Dave Pecci, Bath, ME
Connecticut Charter/Party Boat Association, President Kevin Bentley
Massachusetts Striped Bass Association, President Chris Lincoln, Braintree, MA
Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association, President Steve Medeiros, Coventry, RI
Massachusetts Beach Buggy Association, President George Cairns, North Reading, MA
New York Sportfishing Federation, Ex. Director Dennis Cataldo, Oakdale, NY
New Inlet Boating Association, President Skip Cornell
Boston Big Game Fishing Club, President Steven James
Northeast Tuna Club, Founder James Johnson
Charter, Guide and Party Boat Fishing Companies
Bunny Clark Deep Sea Fishing, Capt. Tim Tower, Ogunquit, ME
Saco Bay Guide Service, Capt. Cal Robinson, Biddeford, ME
Lady J Sportfishing Charters, Capt. Adam Littell, Kennebunk, ME
Pritnear Heaven Charters, Capt. Dave Johnson, Biddeford, ME
Bass I Charters, Capt. Dean Krah, Newcastle, ME
Super Fly Charters, Capt. George Harris, Warren, ME
Kristin K Charters, Capt. Ben, South Portland, ME
Kennebec Tidewater Charters, Capt. Robin Thayer, Richmond, ME
Marsh River Charters, Capt. Hank DeRuiter, Newcastle, ME
Seafari Charters, Capts. Bryan and Barry Bush, Kittery, ME
Full Strike Anglers, Capt. George Lemieux, Wells, ME
Helen H Deep Sea Fishing, Captain Joe Huckemeyer, Hyannis, MA
Asticou Charter Co., Rich Savage, Northeast Harbor, ME
Maine River and Sea Charters, Capt. Mike Jancovic, S Portland, ME
Dave’s Guide Service, Capt. David Cassidy Sr., Deer Isle, ME
Maine Fishing and Diving Charters, Capt. Rob Odlin, Scarborough, ME
Captain Doug Jowett Charters, Capt. Doug Jowett, Brunswick, ME
Portland Guide Service, Capt. John Ford, Portland, ME
Lethal Weapon Charters, Capt. Bob Liston, Wells Harbor, ME
Obsession Sportfishing Charters, Capt. Dave Pecci, Bath, ME
Offshore Adventures Sportfishing, Capt. John Pappas, Cape Elizabeth, ME
Bigger N’ Better Charters, Capt. Michael Sosik, York, ME
Shark Six Charters, Capt. Barry Gibson, Boothbay Harbor, ME
Reel Jerk Sportfishing Co., Capt. Rich Albert, Hampton, NH
Sushi Hunter Sportfishing, Capt. Doug Anderson, Newcastle, NH
Captain Bill’s Charters, Capt. Bill Wagner, Portsmouth, NH
Joppa Tern Charters, Capt. Dan Brown, Newbury, MA
Walsh’s Deep Sea Fsihing, Bob Walsh Jr., Lynn, MA
Capt. Tom’s Charters, Capts. Tom and Jason Mleczko, Nat Reeder, Corey and
Cameron Gammill, Carl Danielson and Collin Sykes, Nantucket, MA
Captain Jim’s Cape Charters, James Shannon, Provincetown, MA
North Shore Charters, Capt. Scott McDowell, Menemsha, MA
Sandy B Fishing Charters, Capt. Bruce Bornstein, Gloucester, MA
Capeshores Charters, Capt. Bruce Peters, East Orleans, MA
Beth Ann Charters, Capt. Rich Wood, Provincetown, MA
Kelly Ann Charters, Capt. Mauro DiBacco, Newburyport, MA
Miss Ashley Charters, Capt. Bob Simmons, Newburyport, MA
Atlantic Fish Guides, Capt. Jonathan Leavitt, Manchester, MA
Little Sister Charters, Capt. Jason Colby, Quincy, MA
Rockport Cast-Away’s Charters, Capts. Peter and Charles Nicolosi, Rockport, MA
Sea Dog Sport Fishing, Capt. Bruce Cranshaw, Falmouth, MA
Rod’s Delight Charters, Capt. Rodney Ratcliffe, Newburyport, MA
Atlantis Charters, Capt. Norm Boucher, Newburyport, MA
Outer Cape Sportfishing, Capt. Jeff Duncan, Provincetown, MA
Rocky Point Fishing Charters, Capt. Bill Jarman, Newburyport, MA
Tuna Hunter Fishing Charters, Capt. Gary Cannell, Gloucester, MA
North Coast Angler, Capts. Skip Montello, Dave Beshara, Al Montello, Allan Smith and
Instructor Stephen Papows, Gloucester, MA, Rockport, MA, Newbury, MA and Salem, NH
Rings Island Charters, Capt. Gary Morin, Salisbury, MA
F/V Erica Lee Charters, Capt. Rob & Kate Yeomans, Newbury, MA
Massachusetts Bay Guides, Capts. Greg Sears, Dave Newell, Rob Green, Jay Berggren, Don
Campbell, Joe Marino, Mike Evensen, Gene Bernard, Greenbush, MA
White Cap Charters LLC, President Brad White, Scituate, MA
Breakwater Charter, Capt. John Conly, Marthas Vineyard, MA
Goosebay Charters, Inc., Capt. Carl Mahlstedt, Lynn, MA
Kayman Charters, Capt. Kevin Twombly, Gloucester, MA
The Reel Fish Tales Sportfishing, Capt. Rich Milligan, Revere, MA
Striper Charters, Capt. Gary Swanson, South Yarmouth,
Tailrope Charter Fishing, Capt. Mike Famigliette, Danvers, MA MA
Shadowcaster Charters, Capt. James Goodhart, Newburyport, MA
GoFish Sportfishing Charters, Capt. Patrick Helsingius, Boston, MA
Fishtale Sportfishing, Capt. Mort Terry, Harwich Port, MA
Mariner Sportfishing, Capt. Tom Scanlon, Lynn, MA
Cape Cod Charter Fishing, Capt. Art Brosnan, South Orleans, MA
Black Rose Fishing Charters, Capt. Rich Antonino, Green Harbor, MA
Fish Finder Charters, Capt. Frank O’Connor, Newburyport, MA/Salisbury, MA
Tide Hunter Charters, Capt. Scott Bradley, Buzzards Bay, MA
Captain Bob’s New Horizons Fishing Charters, Capt. Bob Beloff, Rockport, MA
Cape Cod Bay Charters, Capt. John Carty, Barnstable Harbor, MA
Fin Addiction Charters, Capt. Jeff Smith, Wellfleet, MA
Flashy Lady Charters, Capt. Dick Vincent, Martha Vineyard, MA
Laura-Jay Sportfishing, Capt. Don Cianciolo, E Sandwich, MA
Rocky Point Fishing Charters, Capt Bill Jarman, Newburyport, MA
Merrimack River Charters, Capt. Robert Bump, Newburyport, MA
Maverick Charters, Ltd., Capt. Jack Riley, Harwich Port, MA
CJ Victoria Charters & Rod Builders, Capt. Rob Savino, Boston, MA
West Wind Charter Fishing, Capt. Robert Rank, Nantucket, MA
Cape Cod Angler, Capt. Dave Steeves, Brewster, MA
Tomahawk Charters, Capt. Buddy Vanderhoop, Marthas Vineyard, MA
Bluefin Charters, Capt. Brian Courville, East Falmouth, MA
Big Fish II Charters, Capt. Tom Depersia, Marshfield, MA
Albacore Charters, Capt. Bob DeCosta, Nantucket, MA
Harpoonist Charters, Capt. Dave Auger, Newburyport, MA
Fishy Bizness Sportfishing, Capt. Ed Cloutier, Newburyport, MA
Monomoy Charters, Capt. Josh Eldridge, Nantucket, MA
Cape Ann Tuna Charter, Capt. Jules Boudreaux, Gloucester, MA
Summer Job Charters, Capt. Scott Maguire, Newbury, MA
North Shore Charters, Capt. Dave Pelletier, Beverly, MA
Reel Pursuit Charters, Capt. Paul Diggins, Boston, MA
Boston Fishstix Guide Service, Capts. John Mendelson and Jim Armstrong, Boston, MA
Reel Crazy Sportfishing, LLC., Captain Pat Juliano, West Haven, CT
Good Company II Charters, Capt. Joseph Garafano, Jr., Waterford, CT
After You, Too Sportfishing Charters, Capt. Frank Blume, New London, CT
Lauren B Charters, Capt. Steve Burnett, Stonington, CT
Right Hook Fishing Charters, Capt. Bob Veach, New London, CT
Benmar Custom Charters, Capt. John Groff, Mystic, CT
White Ghost Guide Services, Ltd., Capt. Jim White, East Greenwich, RI
Cherry Pepper Sport Fsishing, Capt. Linwood Safford, Charlestown, RI
Busy Line Charters, Capt. Norm Bardell, Woonsocket, RI
Fishing Vessels
F/V Western Sea, Glenn Robbins, Rockland, ME
F/V Lady Esther, Larry Knapp, Boothbay Harbor, ME
F/V Nightmare, Gregg Gilliam, Small Point, ME
F/V Bettina H, Tim Virgin, Ogunquit, ME
F/V Old Mud, Donald Sproule, ME
F/V Kathryn Giles, Matt Forbes, Ogunquit, ME
F/V Heather Kate, Glen Gilliam, Small Point, ME
F/V Vick, Norman Koehling, Sebasco, ME
F/V Libreti Rose II, Bruce Hebert, Kennebunkport, ME
F/V Pelican, Brett Gilliam, Small Point, ME
F/V Anticipation, Eric Gilliam, Small Point, ME
F/V Elizabeth Ames, Steve Weiner, Ogunquit, ME
F/V A. Maria, Sonny Macintyre, Ogunquit, ME
F/V Ella & Sadi, Colin Yentsche, Boothbay Harbor, ME
F/V Queen of Peace, Bobby & Shane Macintyre, Ogunquit, ME
F/V Julia G III, Bradley Simmons, Boothbay Harbor, ME
F/V Arco Felice, Lexi Krausse, Monhegan Island, ME
F/V M&M, Kevin Wilson, Boothbay Harbor, ME
F/V Michael Kevin, Ralph Pratt, Green Harbor, MA
F/V Sea Venture, F/V Lisa Marie, Mike Pratt, Green Harbor, MA
F/V Jeanne Marie, Mike Blanchard, Gloucester, MA
F/V Sashimi, Doug Amorello, Plymouth, MA
F/V Scotia Boat Too, F/V Heidi & Heather, F/V Julie Ann,
& F/V Ryan Zackary, Richard Burgess, Gloucester, MA
F/V Little Mako, Dan Dunbar, Gloucester, MA
F/V Kathryn Leigh, BG Brown, Gloucester, MA
F/V Fair Wind (150), Chris Brewer, Gloucester, MA
F/V Fair Wind (576), Phil Cunningham, Gloucester, MA
F/V Gillian Ann, Bill Brown, Gloucester, MA
F/V Sasquatch, Paul Cohan, Gloucester, MA
F/V Jospehine, Mark Russo, Gloucester, MA
F/V Cabaret IV, F/V Dolores J, Peter Libro, Gloucester, MA
F/V Chandell, John Montgomery, Gloucester, MA
F/V Lily Jean, Gus Sanfilippo, Gloucester, MA
F/V Belinda B, Danny Bubb, Gloucester, MA
F/V Toby Anne, Bryan Higgin, Gloucester, MA
F/V Miss Trish II, Enzo Russo, Gloucester, MA
F/V Pretty Girl, F/V Orion C, Lou Williams, Gloucester, MA
F/V Lilly, F/V Never Satisfied, Billy Muniz, Gloucester, MA
F/V Amborg & Julie, F/V Claudia Marie, Ed Smith, Gloucester, MA
F/V Keep-Ah, Scott Colleary, Hingham, MA
F/V Belly Filla, Captain Alex Notis
F/V Haywire, Chris Pistel, Harwich, MA
F/V Sandra E, Allan Vitkus, Vinalhaven, ME
F/V Jesse J, John Richardson, Hingham, MA
F/V Macson, Mac Sprague, Weymouth, MA
F/V Sue Z, Tom Traina, Harwich, MA
F/V Hunter, Robert Crowley, Chatham, MA
F/V Time Bandit, Kurt Martin, Larry Belliveau & Nick Muto, Chatham, MA
F/V Tuna Eclispe, William Barker, Harwich, MA
F/V Magic, Mike Abdow, Chatham, MA
F/V Taint, Mark Liska, Chatham, MA
F/V Dawn T, Stuart Tolley, Chatham, MA
F/V Miss Fitz, John Our, Chatham, MA
F/V Decisive, Glen Legeyt, Harwich, MA
F/V Constance Sea, Mike Woods, Chatham, MA
F/V Rug Rats, Bob St. Pierre, Andrew Falcone & Dan Mortar, Chatham, MA
F/V Bada Bing, Tye Vecchione, Chatham, MA
F/V Fish Hawk, Jeff Capute & Joe Weinberg, Hyannis, MA
F/V Sea Hawk, Mitch Mills, Hyannis, MA
F/V Lori Ann, Dorwin Allen, Hyannis, MA
F/V Rachael M, Roy McKenzie, Hyannis, MA
F/V Rosey S, Leslie Schwarm, Hyannis, MA
F/V Typsy, Tom Ryshavy, Hyannis, MA
F/V Predatuna, Dennis Chaprales, Hyannis, MA
F/V Angler, Jason Alger, Hyannis, MA
F/V Sea Bag, Greg Tomasian, Harwich, MA
F/V Sea Holly, Mark Leach, Harwich, MA
F/V Kelly J, Michael Terrenzi, Harwich, MA
F/V Fairtime, Frank Santoro, Chatham, MA
F/V Wildwood, Nick Hyora, Chatham, MA
F/V Ocean Lady, Christopher Ripa, Chatham, M A
F/V Sea Win, Tom Luce, Harwich, MA
F/V Sea Wolf, Tom Smith, Orleans, MA
F/V Amanda, Pete Atherton, Newburyport, MA
F/V The Hook Up!, Eric Stewart, Chatham, MA
F/V Ouija, Gerald Miszkin, Chatham, MA
F/V Grey Hound, Will Dickson, Chatham, MA
F/V Peggy B II, Ronald Braun, Harwich, MA
F/V Saga, Ben Bergquist, Chatham, MA
F/V Arlie X, Thomas Szado, Harwich, MA
F/V High Test, Joe Janciewicz & Jack Cadario, Newburyport, MA
F/V Horse Mackerel, David Gelfman, Chatham, MA
F/V Three Graces, Thomas Riley, Chatham, MA
F/V Lori Ann, Sam Ameen, Newburyport, MA
Whale Watch Companies
Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co., Naturalist Zack Klyver, Bar Harbor, ME
Newburyport Whale Watch, Capt. Bill Neelon, Newburyport, MA
Atlantic Fleet Whale Watch, Capt Brad Cook, Rye Harbor, NH
Portuguese Princess Whale Watch & Excursions, Provincetown, MA
Granite State Whale Watch, Naturalist Pete Reynolds, Rye Harbor, NH
Boothbay Whale Watch, Naturalist Mechele Vanderlaan, Boothbay Harbor, ME
Capt. Bill & Sons Whale Watching, Mark Cunningham, Gloucester, MA
Cape Ann Whale Watch, Jim Douglas, Gloucester, MA
Marine Eco Tourism Businesses:
Acadian Nature & New Horizons Tour Company, Capt. Gary Fagan, Bar Harbor, ME
Ardea Ecoexpeditions, President Darrin Kelly, Gouldsboro, ME
Bar Harbor Ferry Service, Capt. Steve Pagels, Bar Harbor, ME
Aquaterra Adventures Sea Kayaking, President Dave Legere, Bar Harbor, ME
Camp Ocean Adventures, Doug Anderson, Newcastle, NH
Downeast Windjammer Cruises, Capt. Steve Pagels, Cherryfield, ME
Old Quarry Ocean Adventures, Capt Bill Baker, Stonington, ME
Cranberry Cove Ferry Company, Cherryfield, ME
Coastal Kayaking Tours, Bar Harbor, ME
Downeast Nature Tours, Guide Michael Good, Bar Harbor, ME
LuLu’s Lobster Boat Ride, Capt. John Nicolai, Gouldsboro, ME
Marine Research, Education and Conservation Organizations:
Penobscot East Resource Center, Director Robin Alden, Stonington, ME
Whale Center of New England, Executive Director Mason Weinrich, Gloucester, MA
Friends of Maine Seabird Islands, President Jane Hopwood, Rockport, ME
National Audubon Society Seabird Restoration Program, Sr. Researcher Scott Hall, Belfast, ME
Allied Whale, Director Sean Todd, Bar Harbor, ME
Bar Harbor Whale Museum, Curator Toby Stephenson, Bar Harbor, ME
Blue Ocean Society, Director Jen Kennedy, Portsmouth, NH
CETOS Research Organization, Executive Director Ann Zoidis, Bar Harbor, ME
Tackle/bait shops and boat yards
Hiltons Sport Dock, George Hilton, Newburyport, MA
Tightlines Tackle, Dave Mason, Walpole, ME
First Light Anglers, Nat Moody,Derek Spingler, Chris Comb,
Peter Yukins and Trent Gaffney, Rowley, MA
Fisherman’s Outfitter, John White, Gloucester, MA
Offshore Pursuits Premium Tackle, David Dodsworth, MA
White Anchor Bait & Tackle Shop, Carl Jordan, Boothbay, ME
Bucko’s Parts & Tackle, Michael J. Bucko, Fall River, MA
Saco Bay Tackle, Peter Mourmouras, Saco, ME
Eldredge Bros. Fly Shop, Jim Bernstein, Cape Neddick, ME
Webhannet River Boatyard and Tackle Shop, Wells, ME
Nelson’s Bait and Tackle, Rich Wood, Provincetown, MA
Pamet River Tackle Shop, Sam and Adam Carpentieri, Truro, MA
Powderhorn Outfitters, Jeff Lubin & Andy Little, Hyannis, MA
Riverview Bait & Tackle, Yarmouth, MA
Sunrise Bait & Tackle, Jerry Armstrong, Harwich, MA
Sportsman’s Landing, Carl Coppenrath, Dennis, MA
Companies and others:
Rock On Products, Richard Burgess, Manchester, MA
Barnacle Billy’s Inc., Bill Tower, Ogunquit, ME
Marine Systems Custom Boats, Eric Clark, Southwest Harbor, ME
Dysart’s Great Harbor Marina, Ed Dysart, Southwest Harbor, ME
Blunas, Inc., Chris and Ben Weiner, Ogunquit, ME
Maguro America, Inc., Robert Fitzpatrick, Chatham, MA
Bluewater Fish Co., Bob DeCosta, South Norwalk, CT
Navtronics, Tim Greer, Portsmouth, NH
JC Boat, Jack Cadario, Hollis, NH
Intershell, Paul Muvalli, Gloucester, MA
North Atlantic Marine Service, Steve Mcnally, Amesbury, MA
On The Water Magazine, Publisher Chris Megan, East Falmouth, MA
Gawron Turgeon Architects, Stan Gawron, Scarborough, ME
Blue Sea Fisheries, Inc. Dave Pelletier, Beverly, MA
NH Precision Metal Fabricators, Mark Poirier, Londonderry, NH
Offshore Pursuits, LLC, David Dodsworth, MA
NewEnglandSharks.com, Capt. Tom King, Scituate, MA
CCNautical.com, Christopher J. DiPilato, Marston Mills, MA
Flyfishinginmaine.com, Dan Tarkinson, Portland, ME
Stripersonline.com, Tim Surgent, Wall, NJ
|
|
| |
|
