[JohnR]

Just got this from the RFA in an email:

Threat of No-Fishing Zones in Massachusetts Takes a Step Forward

The Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture released S529, introduced by Senator Robert OLeary (Cape and Islands). This bill is the greatest threat ever to recreational fishing in Massachusettss waters. RFA and allied organizations continue to remain adamantly opposed to the bill as written, and continue to seek changes that will remove language intended to serve as the basis for the establishment of arbitrary No-Fishing Zones in the waters of the Commonwealth.

As of now, Senator OLeary has refused to address the concerns of the recreational fishing community, which includes a sizable number of his constituents and businesses in his district. Senator OLearys staff is claiming that changes have been made to S529 that remove the MPA language, and thus the concerns of the recreational fishing community have been addressed. These statements are false. The Senator has received letters from the RFA and allied groups regarding S529 explaining that simply removing a specific directive to create No-Fishing Zones does not mean that arbitrary No-Fishing Zones cannot be created, said Barry Gibson, RFA New England Regional Director. S529 still includes guidance, goals, directives, and mandates that will undoubtedly lead to the establishment of permanent No-Fishing Zones whether through the flawed and arbitrary political process established by S529 for developing a Massachusetts ocean management plan, or through certain litigation that will result if S529 were to become law.

RFA also contends there are other problems with the bill, including a possible saltwater fishing license, and the establishment of a special account controlled by the Secretary of the Environment, which can receive private money, without oversight from the legislature, which is possibly unconstitutional.

We have done everything possible to work with Senator OLeary and he continues to ignore our concerns. We hope that this will change or we will be forced to do everything possible to see that this legislation does not pass and a more reasonable bill is considered, said Gibson.