Clash between scientists, fishermen continues to boil over
22.05.12
The battle over United States fisheries management is one of the most contentious issues ever seen on these shores. The debate pits government scientists against commercial fishermen and the answers that are forthcoming depend very much on whom you are talking to.
Given its location and dependence on the fishery, the outcome of this battle will have a profound effect on the economy of Rhode Island.
In the mid-1970s, the Magnuson Stevens Act became the law that governs all U.S. fishing. Five years ago that act was reauthorized by then-President George W. Bush. At that time language was inserted that would require each fishery to have catch limits in place by the end of 2011. The language was crafted by a bipartisan coalition of political, environmental, scientific and fishing industry interests.
The responsibility for instituting the restrictions fell to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). While NOAA did not meet the goal of having the limits in place by the end of last year, they were successful in placing limits on 40 of 46 U.S. fisheries, and they expect to have the balance in place before the fishing season begins this year.
Source: Jamestown Press