I'm kind of sad to say that this issue has been the root of a sad little pi$$ing contest in Rhody between some of the commercial set and some of the management types & scientists. The gist of the problem is the apparent distrust and I told you so attitudes, in this case resulting from the likely bad trawl data from the NOAA ship Albatross (and I know a person or 2 that worked on it and they do try to do the right thing).
I won't put the entire conversation thread on (although I am tempted). But I will add a mild attempt at humor from Mark Gibson from the RIDFW... There is a ring of truth in this too:
Quote:
Headline News
NMFS Science bad, bad, bad! Skewed net leads to skewed data, too few fish caught in surveys. Arrogant scientists refused advice from commercial fishermen for years.
Woods Hole, MA- Dr. Knut Knowitall, Chief of NMFS stock assessments, admitted yesterday that an incorrectly measured cable may have reduced the catchability of fish in government trawl surveys. In response, he has ordered staff scientists to mount sophisticated monitoring equipment on the survey gear to determine the extent of the bias that may have been introduced into stock assessment results. When interviewed about the matter, commercial fishermen Carl Catchthemall said, "I always knew that stupid white boat couldn't fish. They come along and throw the damn nets where there aint no fish, just cause it's random. They wouldn't last two weeks in this business" Litigious conservation groups refused comment but Rep. Johnny Industryfriendcomelately, locked in a fierce reelection battle, pledged to investigate and reform NMFS.
Holy Cow! Too few fish caught? Just look at the latest biased results. More scup and fluke caught in 2002 than ever before. Striped bass recovered from 1980's collapse. Winter flounder in SNE at medium abundance. Groundfish on Georges steadily rebuilding. If more should have been caught, that means.....oh noooo......the ocean can hold more fish than NMFS thought!
Rebuilding targets will have to be adjusted upwards again and rebuilding timetables extended. Good thing this was caught early on before we relaxed regulations too soon.
Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it.
Mark Gibson- RIDFW
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