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Random Quote: Never assume...becuase it makes a ASS out of U and ME!
Take my word for it that it is time for all of you who have shown concern over what the herring boats have done to this whole region to act.
Write Dr.Bill Hogarth and Patricia Kurkul and tell them in a short email (or letter) that you strongly support Alternative 7 to Amendment 1 to the Herring FMP. This is the Alternative the Council voted for 13-2, and included the Purse Seine/Fixed Gear only 'Buffer Zone'.
Not only did the Council vote 13-2 (with the only two who voted Nay being those with direct interests in the midwater trawler fishery) but was an overwhelming show of support from the public.
This is the real deal guys, its time to put up or shut up. If you want to have a healthy GOM again, you must write in ASAP.
This is not a false alarm. Take the few minutes and write to Bill and Pat and tell them how you feel. Make sure you include what i said above.
Alternative 7 refers to the alternative the the New England Fishery Management Council voted for 13-2 on. It is to Amendment 1 to the Herring FMP.
In short, the entire coast in the Northeast has been decimated by massive single and pair midwater trawl vessels. These 150' behemoths have ruined the whole Gulf of Maine and surrounding ecosystem. The GOM used to see hundreds of whales, thousands of tuna that came to the area to feed on the massive amounts of herring. We have been seeing/catching giant bluefin tuna here for centuries as this is where almost all the giants in the western atlantic travel to after spawning in the the Gulf of Mexico. They, along with whales, birds, sharks and other migratory species have always come here for one thing:herring. The herring also supports the groundfish stocks which we have been attempting to rebuild for over a decade.
The bottom line is that everything in the Northeast relies on herring. Yet, a decade ago massive trawlers from all around the country started showing up to fish in, you guessed it, HERRING.
Every year we have seen less and less fish, mammals and birds. The trawlers are huge and employ pair trawls (where one boat takes one side of the net and the other boat takes the other side of the net, so they can tow huge nets, fast, and anywhere in the water column. These boats have decimated the entire area and we no longer see tuna, whales or anything else that we used to see. The groundfish stocks have been doing worse every year despite closures and strict regulations.
Not only are the pair trawlers bigger and more powerful than a typical groundfish boat, but they use smaller mesh that kills everything. They are allowed in closed areas and while known as 'midwater' boats they are very capable of fishing on bottom. The amount of fish and mammal bycatch is astounding.
The NE Council voted for Alternative 7 (13-2) which would create a coastal buffer zone where midwater trawling would be banned from June-Septemebr. This is when all the whales, tuna, and other things come and feed and so the ban would assuage the issues we all have been having since the trawlers showed up. Not only did the Council vote 13-2 but thousands spoke/wrote during the public comment period in support of it. This Buffer Zone is essential if we will ever see the GOM and surrounding areas regain their once vibrant life.
But due to the ways that we manage our fisheries, the threat of lawsuit from the trawlers has apparently pushed NMFS to consider disregarding the Council and public and overturning the Alternative. This is a case of big business pressuring NMFS to do the wrong thing.
Everyone up here except for the 40 or so vessels that trawl (and their lobbyists) are supporting this Buffer Zone. We all need this because our part of the ocean has been absolutely ruined. The boats would finally be driven offshore where they were intended to be in the first place.
So, if the Northeast will ever regain what it once had it is vital that those who care write to NMFS and explain how the feel. This is going to make or break this entire region.
It has taken roughly 5 years of work to get the Alternative to and passed by the Council and if NMFS overturns it will be the end of us because we, as well as the GOM, wont last another 5 years.
Guys this fellow has been battling these pair trawlers since they came to the GOM and started destroying our fishing. Pair trawling is a very serious issue up here as the herring are being stripped from the area and the groundfish, pelagics, and whales are left without a forage base. If that wasn't enoough the bycatch of groundfish, seals, and whales is a dirty little secret that the NMFS is ignoring.
If you have any questions about this issue or tuna fishing in general Twofinbluna is the guy to ask.
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Capt. George Full Strike Anglers
F/V Lady Diane
2005 2325 Pacific Plate Alloy Boat
USCG 50Ton Master
Maine Tidewater Guide
There is a great article in On The Water magazine this month on bycatch. One thing that really raised the hair on the back of my neck was that there is 1.79 pounds of bycatch for every pound of fish sold. This comes out to 215,000,000 pounds of wasted discards. That's nearly 2:1. I don't know about the rest of you but that's a lot of wasted, dead fish.
I'm sure that if it were any other food products market there would be an uproar. Being that not many people are offshore to witness the results and the death, there's no real response to the total waste of the oceans resources.
Just what is going on out on Georges Bank where there are even less recreational fishermen to see this. One can only imagine the waste when you police yourselves.
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Join and support the pistol team at your local gun club.
TWOFIN welcome to THE HULL TRUTH and as I told you on the other site, notices were posted at General Dynamics and Pratt Whitney and I know the e-mails were being generated from both facilities. We can't ,as rec fisherman, drop the ball on this now this late in the game. I've written senators Snow and Collins numerous times on this issue as well as my local reps trying to get something done. Alt 7 to Amend 1 is a good start just hope it does pass.
I just sent an email to Bill and Patricia as I strongly support this article. BUT..........What is to stop these pair trawlers from setting up right on the coastal buffer zone and RAPING the herring before they enter the GOM and while they exit the GOM. They need to be banned permanetly, and if not, they will still find a way to get there fill. It is not just the GOM, they wiped all the herring from the Great South Channell and Georges(but maybe that is part of the GOM). This is a start but we need to keep on these COCKSUCKERS!
Hightimes, I am from the south and not familiar with this battle you guys are waging. However, I have my own similar battles going on down here. The permanent BAN would/will be the trophy, but sometimes you have to work up to that trophy a little at a time. Never give the other side any ammo against what your fighting for.
"What is to stop these pair trawlers from setting up right on the coastal buffer zone and RAPING the herring before they enter the GOM and while they exit the GOM." This statement gives the other side a perfect rebuttal for a reason not to restrict trawling anywhere anytime. They are gonna catch them anyway.
I just sent an email to Bill and Patricia as I strongly support this article. BUT..........What is to stop these pair trawlers from setting up right on the coastal buffer zone and RAPING the herring before they enter the GOM and while they exit the GOM. They need to be banned permanetly, and if not, they will still find a way to get there fill. It is not just the GOM, they wiped all the herring from the Great South Channell and Georges(but maybe that is part of the GOM). This is a start but we need to keep on these COCKSUCKERS!
You are absolutely correct Hightimes but you can't imagine how hard it has been to even get to this point. As a famous person once said,' Follow the Money Trail". These companies have large wallets and they have no problem spending that money on people who will help their cause. I have just begun to realize what a mess this is thanks to guys like Twofin and others who have taken the time to come on boards like this and explain the issues.
TIME TO ACT-HERRING BUFFER ZONE
then just hit every one till they leave
