Of course there's lots of bunker in the bay - Ark has limited their activity this year and no other purse seiners have showed up. Also, Ark got a late start, I'm told because lobstermen did not need much bunker for bait. I guess their contention that lobstermen's livelihood depends on the bait supply of bunker is simply another untruth. Perhaps they are lying low so that people like Bill will look around and say "we don't need this legislation, there are plenty of bunker."
Contrary to this bill being a fish grab, this bill seeks to undo the fish grab currently in place. Currently a few have the ability to take the resource to the exclusion of the many. They've laid low this year so far, but it won't take many sets to clear out the massive schools from the bay.
The opponents have purposely mislead folks with half truths and innuendo. They make is sound like ASFMC is opposed to this legislation as contrary to a coast wide management plan. They are not opposed to RI controlling methods of fishing for pogies - they simply will not support it since it is not their purview, it's a local issue that deals with local populations of fish. [I recall that there was some opposition to some of the wording of the bill, which is easily resolved - but not the substance of the bill]
Opponents say that menhaden are not over fished That's only true for worldwide populations. History shows us that our resident populations can be decimated. It's been done for years, then the boats leave the area to find other areas that hold bunker.
Even the opponents don't buy their own spin. Otherwise, why would they be opposed to RI limiting fishing in their estuaries (like the other NE states) if there are sooo many pogies everywhere?
But the real problem - in typical RI corrupt fashion - is that Malik won't allow this bill to be considered - period.
No compromises, no hearings, no technical changes, nothing! So much for the political process.
