I attended the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan Public Hearing in Hyannis this evening. The enviros were there in force with prepared comments, the commercial reps were there in force with prepared comments, the whale watch fleet was there in force with prepared comments, a few charter captains were there and as always the only recreational fishing representation was MSBA.

Reports informed me there were 9 people (Barry Gibson from RFA) at Portland ME, 9 people and no recs at the NH Hearing, I did not get a count on the Plymouth hearing yet as I was busy today.

FYI...This plan is tricky and is setting up a regulatory action for a lot of anti fishing and completely closed areas in 2013. The draft management plan is riddled with anti fishing language and the picture of a cod jig hooked on a historic wreck is about as blatant fore shadowing as it can get.

I don;t know but I will never understand why MSBA is usually the only organization to stand up for the recreational angler at hearings in MA. If you like to fish the Bank, you better do some research soon.