Kerry letter to Greyson, Lubchenco, and Schwaab Calls for New Cod Data and Relief Plan



Senator John Kerry called recently for an immediate new stock assessment of cod in the Gulf of Maine and preparations for simultaneous economic relief in the event of a verified cod crisis.
In a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Kerry called on NMFS “to immediately conduct a new assessment” with “complete information that has been developed with the consent of all stakeholders.”

“The most recent Gulf of Maine cod assessment threatens to further exacerbate a number of issues our fishermen already face, with potentially disastrous consequences,” Kerry wrote after a recent report showed a stock level of only 11,400 metric tons, 22,600 metric tons less than a previous assessment. “Our only option is to rapidly develop a response that is fair and sound and that our fishermen can trust.”

Kerry outlined immediate steps needed to develop a balanced and strong federal response to aid New England fishermen, including requesting that NMFS conduct a new assessment that includes additional sources of information and data, ensures the data used to set catch limits is as robust and accurate as possible, and has buy-in from the people whose livelihoods are most impacted by the results.

He also asked NOAA to undertake an end-to-end review of the stock assessment process that includes the analysis and recommendations of outside parties with the help and participation of industry leaders including the Massachusetts Marine Fishery Institute (MFI).

Senator Kerry requests NOAA work with him to develop an economic assistance package for fishermen and fishing communities if there is a significant change in the existing catch limits on Gulf of Maine cod, and urges the agency to take action to maintain the sustainability of the fishery and the Gulf of Maine cod stocks while the new assessments are being done.

CONTENTS

Better Management Eyed for Menhaden

The Quilt

Editorial

Codfish Stock Report Sparks Fear in Fishery

Kerry Letter to Greyson, Lubchenco, and Schwaab Calls for New Cod Data and Relief Plan

Port Mayor Says Groundfish Dialogue Driven by Fear

100 Protest 137' Tall LPG Gas Tank at Searsport

Salvage Claims and Awards Under Admiralty Law

Dennis Damon - Looking Both Ways

Fishermen's Co-ops in Atlantic Canada

New Safety Standards Set for Fishing Vessels

Senators Snowe, Collins Express Concern with Possible Listing of River Herring

Captain Perry Wrinkle - The Wood Cutters

Fixed Gear Sector Supports Government's Decision to Fund Monitoring Until April 30, 2012

Pingree Introduces Food, Farms and Jobs Act

Back Then - B-52 Stratofortress Down in Maine

Electronic VTR’s: A New Era in Quota Tracking

Lobsterboat Weathervane

Science Team Identifies Influenza Virus Subtype That Infected Five Dead Seals

Lee Wilbur - Honest Les from Southwest

NOAA Extends Comment Period on River Herring

Conferences

Closed Area Notices

Call for Abstracts

Meetings