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Fixed some typo's
April 2nd, 2009
Pat Kurkul, Regional Administrator
NMFS, Northeast Regional Office
55 Great Republic Drive
Gloucester, MA 01930
RE: Midwater Trawlers in Groundfish Closed Areas
Dear Ms. Kurkul,
I am a recreational fisherman and am writing today to ask that you rescind access to Closed Ground fish Closed Areas by midwater and pair trawl vessels. Recent analysis of observer data show that in at least one mathematical viewpoint, the 1% threshold outlined in Framework 18 has been met and therefore these boats should not be allowed into those areas.
In order to regain access, these boats should have to do what any other commercial ground fish operation would have to do, that is, apply for an Exempted Fishery Permit with mandatory 100% observer coverage and that coverage should be paid for by the boat requesting the permit and not the government
This is the process that other ground fishermen must follow and I believe out of fairness, so should the midwater and pair trawl boats.
It is time for NMFS to direct the NEFMC to do the right thing and protect the Haddock until the Sea Herring fleet can prove that they can fish in these areas without another serious incident of Haddock ByCatch.
Thanks for your time,
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