Update on Meeting about the Pogie Boats in the haba

[Fisherwoman]

FYI, I spoke to Chuck Cassella a little while ago and he informed me that the meeting took place today with Chuck, Paul Diodoti, other commisioners that are on the board as well as local Environmental Police officers. It has been found that the pogie seining boats were in clear violation of where they are allowed to use their nets. They will be fined for being in those area's. If they are caught in those area's again they will be fined and they will also have their permits revoked for good.
Over the winter months they will be updating the permits restrictions as they are over 15 years old. There will be a proposal put together to expand and/or restricted areas and also suggest some no-fishing days "maybe weekends and holidays" ect. If you see these boats inside these area's please continue to take photo's, record GPS numbers, and well as video if you can do so, or if you are harrassed please let me know.

You also need to contact the EPO's and they will do what they need to do. If you get any of this information of the Seiners being where they should not be, please foward the information to me, and I will send it to Chuck Cassella and he will bring it back to the board again.

I think that this is a good step in the right direction, even though alot of pogies have been taken in those areas already. I want to thank all of you who have written letters, made phone calls and sent emails about this issue as well Patrick Paquette and Chuck Cassella who pushed this issue with the board so that we have gotten something done about it now,not next season.

I have a copy of there permit information as well as the map of where they are aloud to fish, I do not know how to post it on here. I sent it to John R in an email yesterday so maybe he can add it to this post.