Quote:
Originally Posted by Raven
he'll be proposing it soon
from his news letter concerning Mass Jobs
Fishing communities throughout Massachusetts - one of the oldest industries in the state - are facing economic hardship because NOAA and the Commerce Department refuse to acknowledge that their regulations are strangling the fishing industry. My FISH Act would amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to require fishery impact statements to be independent and updated on an annual basis. The Commerce Department must be forced to comply with an independent analysis, which will be done by an outside neutral third party who would be chosen by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). If an independent auditor finds that NOAA regulations are hurting fishing communities, NOAA should be forced to make changes.
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On the surface, this seems very much like a policy drafted by someone that doesn't understand how fishery management works. Now, if the "neutral third party" reports that striped bass are at critically low levels and NOAA uses that scientific evidence to close the striper season, that will definitely hurt fishing communities.
Does this "independent auditor" now force NOAA to "make changes" and keep the season open?
I'm sure I am missing something here.
Also, I can think of a change NOAA should make that will help fishing communities: Second offense of poaching results in the immediate forfeiture of all fishing equipment, gear, tackle and vessels; along with a 5-year revocation of all commercial fishing licenses. Then, all impounded fishing equipment is auctioned off, with the proceeds put into a fund for the families of fishermen who died at sea.