Correspondence from MSBA Government Affairs to MA DMF
Submitted by Patrick Paquette, MSBA Gov't Affairs
October 20, 2008
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Dear MSBA Member,
There is once again reports by the Tuna fleet of a massive kill of large Striped Bass in the area east of Chatham. Video
of this obvious commercial by catch incident can be found at the following web address:
www.sportfishermen.com/board/f186/disturbing-video-55702.html
On behalf of the membership of MSBA, I recently sent the following e-mail to MA DMF Director Paul Diodati:
Dear Director Diodati,
I am writing you to express the total outrage felt by the members of MSBA and the recreational fishing community in
general regarding recent reports of a massive amount of Striped Bass by catch being witnessed by the Tuna Fleet while
fishing "out east" of Chatham. As I have been investigating these reports, it is becoming clear that there were Mid water
Trawlers in the area just prior to the discovery of miles of large dead and dying Striped Bass. I am sure that by now you
know there is video of the actual by catch on the Internet and that video has literally had my phone and e-mail
overloaded. The fact that this "may" be another by catch issue associated with the Mid water Trawl fleet makes the
situation even worse.
To be clear, whether this by catch is truly coming from the Mid water Trawl fleet or from the boats of the twelve disciples
themselves this ANNUAL SLAUGHTER OF STRIPED BASS MIGRATING SOUTH TO SPAWNING HABITATAT MUST BE
STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. ANYTHING LESS THAN EMERGENCY ACTION BY DMF IS BOTH IRRESPONSIBLE AND
UNACCEPTABLE!!!!!! I am contacting you today to formally request you use your authority and take some kind of
emergency action to stop what will surely be further needless by catch of thousands of pounds of striped bass over the
coming weeks.
I am also writing to let you know that at this point, after years of protesting this by catch with phone calls and diplomacy,
MSBA can no longer sit by and wait for nothing to be done by DMF and other fisheries management agencies. The Mid
water Trawl fleet has recently been involved in a massive Haddock by catch incident, has recently been reported as
having predictable and significant River Herring by catch incidents, and continues to be suspected of "take" of protected
mammals and whales. For years DMF has known of the annual slaughter of Striped Bass that has prompted this e-mail.
It is time for emergency action and then vigorous follow up with the appropriate agencies. This dirtiest of all commercial
fisheries must be severely restricted now.
In closing, I have recently been shown the e-mail exchange between yourself and Peter Baker of the Herring Alliance and
need to let you know the tone and language in his original e-mail are an accurate description of the many e-mails and
phone calls I am currently receiving. Please be informed the recreational community has no choice than to get very loud
on this issue and point the finger at the DMF for once again allowing this massive and predictable Striped Bass kill to
have occurred. Please give me a reason to not "attack" DMF over this issue.
As always, I can be contacted via my cell phone to discuss this issue.
sincerely
Patrick Paquette
MSBA Gov;t Affairs
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PLEASE JOIN MSBA MEMBERS AND TAKE ACTION TODAY
CALL MA DMF OFFICES (617-626-1520)
AND DEMAND EMERGENCY ACTION
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