MSBA Response to SB By Catch Reports

[MakoMike]

Originally Posted by DZ

It seems this by-catch problem has been going on for quite a few years now. It would be hard to tell these trawlers they can't fish - might be better if the state allows this by-catch to be landed and applied to next years mass comm quota. Another option would be to put aside a portion of the mass R&R comm quota and fill it with this by-catch. A dead bass is a dead bass. At least this by-catch wouldn't be wasted. If it's going to happen anyway we need to make sure its counted towards a quota.

DZ

If this is in federal waters not only can't the MA DNR do nothing about it, but the catch is illegal and must be returned to the water ASAP. Only way it could be counted against any commercial quota would be if the feds opened the EEZ to striped bass fishing.

[DZ]

Originally Posted by MakoMike

If this is in federal waters not only can't the MA DNR do nothing about it, but the catch is illegal and must be returned to the water ASAP. Only way it could be counted against any commercial quota would be if the feds opened the EEZ to striped bass fishing.

Thanks Mike - opening the EEZ could/would be an unintended consequence. I see RISAA is now trying to re-define the eez lines in Rhode Island.

Do these vessels have NMFS observers aboard? Maybe an FOIA(Freedom of Information Act) request to access catch records would help. If its tuna fishing I would guess its highly monitored? If we can find out how many vessels fish and how many days they're out there I'm sure there is some kind of by-catch formula that the fisheries managers use.

DZ

[MakoMike]

Originally Posted by DZ

Thanks Mike - opening the EEZ could/would be an unintended consequence. I see RISAA is now trying to re-define the eez lines in Rhode Island.

Do these vessels have NMFS observers aboard? Maybe an FOIA(Freedom of Information Act) request to access catch records would help. If its tuna fishing I would guess its highly monitored? If we can find out how many vessels fish and how many days they're out there I'm sure there is some kind of by-catch formula that the fisheries managers use.

DZ

In years past the damage was done by bottom trawlers accidently dragging over a school of bass. whether is was a bottom trawler or a mid-water guy this time, who knows? Some boats have observers, most do not. Even if they did have an observer on boards, I think the records from idividual boats are confidential and not subject to FOIA disclosure.