pogyman

Hi Guys,

My name is John Rice. I am a commercial fisherman from Centerville, Ma., on Cape Cod. I am writing you for your assistance in a situation which, after I explain it, you will no doubt be concerned.

Thursday, there was a meeting of the Ma. Marine Fisheries Commission, in Gloucester. I have attached the agenda for the meeting.(below message)

One item "Recommendation for action on public petition to increase mobile gear access to Collier’s Ledge, south of Cape Cod", listed in action items, is of serious concern. This public petition was first heard of last spring at public hearings, before the spring squid season, it was submitted by two draggermen, one from Hyannis and one from Marshfield. The petition, as written was a request to an extension on access inside the three mile line for an additional week, specifically, the first week of May. The Marine Fisheries Commission Chair, Vito Calomo, told fishermen and DMF at the public hearings that he would like to see some sort of compromise to be made.

A little background is in order I suppose.

The squid trawl fishery in Nantucket Sound open's annually beginning April 23, when draggers are allowed to access the area inside the three mile line, more specifically, a straight line drawn between Succonesset Pt., Mashpee and Point Gammon, Great Island, Yarmouth. It is important to note that previous to 1990, the draggers had not been lawfully able to fish above that line at all since 1938 and the access was only granted as a concession by DMF in 1990, who at the time stated that they (DMF) were unable to enforce the regulations due to a lack of enforcement capability. Several trawlers told DMF at public hearing that they had been fishing inside, illegally during the last week of April for several years. traditionally the trawlers have to stay outside this line after May 1'st, however they can still fish state waters ( and federal with proper permits) using small mesh (squid mesh) until the end of squid season which has been varied in it's end date and is at the discretion of DMF, but typically is June 15'th. This decision by the Marine Fisheries Commission changes this.

The DMF was willing to recommend that the trawlers be given an extra week inside the line, but before the normal opening, not after. Many more persons commenting publicly were against any extension of access at all. The commission was in a tie vote when this was voted on and there was a commissioner not present who would definitely have voted for the DMF's recommendation and the earlier start. The Chair, who typically doesn't vote, broke the tie in favor of the later extension.

This will have extremely negative consequences for Nantucket Sound and surrounding waters. The way it work now, there is a 2500 lb. trip limit for loligo squid, because 80% of the federal quota has been caught by the time the April opening occurs, but May 1'st is the beginning of a new quota period and there is no trip limit until 80% is reached again. The squid will be highly concentrated in the area in question at the time in question and catch rates will be terrific. This will displace many recreational fishermen, many many charter and party boat operators, this will affect the fish availability locally and nearby as scup, sea bass, fluke and of course, striped bass all follow the squid and a lack of food for them equals a lack of fish for everyone. Even some local draggermen have expressed they are against this, stating that this will cause a glut of squid to the market and drive prices low.


What I'd like from you- your help in getting the word out. I need to get people to contact DMF and let them know they are mad about this.

I appreciate your time, I realize this is a little long winded.

Best regards ,

John Rice

Let the DMF know that this is unacceptable and you are against letting the trawlers access this area in May. Do it or you will regret not doing it.

Please contact paul.diodati@state.ma.us
Or phone the director at (617) 626-1530









MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Gloucester, MA


1.Introductions and announcements
2.Review and approval of agenda
3.Review and approval of January minutes
4.Executive Session (if needed)
5.Chairman’s comments
6.Commissioner’s comments
7.Director’s comments
8.Law enforcement report
9.LUNCH
10.Action Items
?Recommendation for action on public petition to ban gillnets in state waters
?Recommendations for action on tautog and summer flounder conservation measures
?Recommendation for action on public petition to increase mobile gear access to Collier’s Ledge, south of Cape Cod
?Recommendation for action on annual declaration of commercial spiny dogfish trip limit
11. Discussion Items
?Regulation of gillnets in state waters
?Governor’s Request for Fisheries Disaster Relief to Secretary of Commerce
?Discussion of public petition re: fish pot and black sea bass hook sector
?Upcoming public hearings
?Revised policy for allocation of traps to commercial lobstermen in Outer Cape Cod LCMA with SCUBA history
12. Marine Fisheries Commissioner Comments


?From Route 128, take first exit off rotary onto Washington St.
?Go RIGHT onto Centennial Ave.
?Veer RIGHT onto Emerson Ave
?The station is about 250 yards on the left

__________________
Do we want or need "non-profit" special interest groups with hidden agendas?

Captain Jason Colby

I just sent this out:


Dear Mr. Diodati,

My opinion, for what its worth:

Extending the "closed area" squid fishery in any direction for a week is a VERY bad move; especially into the first week of May when a new quota opens up. These draggers are doing this ANYWAY, but to let them do it without looking over their shoulders is all wrong in that they shouldn't be fishing there in the first place (1990 is was opened on a "default").
I will also be happy to volunteer my services as a voting board/committee member if I am asked. I have over 30 years experience as a commercial AND recreational fisherman.

Yours,
Captain Jason Colby
Little Sister Charters
(617)376-0016/Home
(617)755-3740/Boat
fishinglsister@aol.com
www.littlesister1.com

pogyman

This has to be stopped.

__________________
Do we want or need "non-profit" special interest groups with hidden agendas?

Captain Jason Colby

March 23, 2007



Acting Commissioner Tom French of the Department of Fish & Game has disapproved a recent action taken by the Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission to grant squid trawlers extended access (May 1 ? 8) to near-shore waters in the vicinity of Collier?s Ledge. Under M.G.L. c. 130 ?17A the Commissioner approves or disapproves regulatory changes submitted by the Director of the Division of Marine Fisheries as part of the regulatory promulgation process.

To clarify, there will be no change to the regulations governing trawl fishing for squid (322 CMR 3.04(6) & 6.39). The squid season runs April 23rd through June 9th. There are not trip limits as of this date but a 2,500-lb. trip limit for mobile gear fishermen will be enacted when certain quota triggers are reached in any given trimester. MarineFisheries will provide notices of any such triggers and consequent trip limit. Mobile gear will remain prohibited during May 1 ? October 31 in the longstandings inshore closure from Mashpee to Eastham (322 CMR 3.04(6)).