RFA PRESS RELEASE: Meetings Set On Proposal to Stop Anglers Groundfishing at Research Area
March 31, 2015 – On April 21 through 23, the New England Fishery Management Council (Council) will vote on the proposed Stellwagen Bank Designated Habitat Research Area (DHRA), which would close down a 55-square-mile area of Stellwagen Bank to recreational anglers. The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) is encouraging saltwater anglers and recreational fishing and boating industry leaders to attend this final hearing and let their voices be heard. A list of voting council members can be found at www.nefmc.org. Contact the voting representatives on the Council and indicate that you need their support to vote “NO” on the Stellwagen Bank DHRA which would close 55 square miles of prime fishing grounds to recreational fishing, by voting for the “No Action” alternative in the Habitat Amendment 2 document.
Capt. Mike Pierdinock, who is the RFA’s Massachusetts Chairman, indicated that the DHRA would result in the closure of one of the last areas that are accessible to the for-hire fleet and recreational anglers that provides fruitful levels of cod, haddock and other bottom fish. “This is neither the time nor the place to consider such a closure while we struggle with a poor economy, with the existing cod closures, reduced bag limits on haddock over fewer weeks per year, and the recent reduction in the striped bass bag limit,” he said.
The basis for the selection of the proposed DHRA is riddled with flawed science and inconsistencies that question the basic foundation and selection of the area for research. “We pointed out flaws in the science, and then the goal and objective of the closure changed from week to week. This has been going on for years. What is the purpose and objective of this closure if it isn’t based on sound science, which is supposed to be the basis of fishery management decisions?” he continued.
Earlier this year, the Council’s Recreational Advisory Panel sent a strong message to the Council, unanimously opposing the proposed research area. However, the Sanctuary continues to indicate that only five charter boats fish within this area, based upon Vessel Trip Reports (VTRs). New England recreational fishermen as well as other NOAA agencies point out that Vessel Trip Reports (VTRs) do not provide an accurate picture of fishing activity. Over 200 anglers showed up at the public meetings in Plymouth and Gloucester indicating that they fish within the proposed closure area yet the Sanctuary continues to indicate that only five charter boats fish within this area.
“VTRs only capture one location per fishing trip, even though we typically fish multiple locations on a given day,” said Charlie Wade, President of the Stellwagen Bank Charter Boat Association. “The instructions ask us to report only the center point that represents all our activity on a given day. How can you possibly use that data to conclude anything about where we actually fish? Fishermen move in and out of this area on any given trip.
Concerns on behalf of the recreational fishing community are also being echoed by several Massachusetts legislators who are worried about the proposal and who have been urging the Council to consider the economic impacts of the proposed closure. “Our charter boat captains are telling us that this proposal is going to exact a heavy toll,” said Rep. Vinny deMacedo, a Massachusetts State Representative from the First Plymouth District. “And decreased recreational fishing means less bait and tackle sales, fewer fishermen visiting our hotels and shopping districts, and less boats in our marinas.”
“We know our recreational and commercial fishermen are laboring under enormous ecological, regulatory, and financial pressures,” said Rep. Jim Cantwell of the Fourth Plymouth district. “Our fishermen are telling us this closure would just be another nail in the coffin.”
“Recreational fishing plays a pivotal role in the local economy,” added state Senator Robert Hedlund of the Plymouth and Norfolk District of Massachusetts. “This shutdown will be disastrous not only to the captains and crew of these boats but to the local restaurants, hotels and tackle shops. I strongly urge the council to reject any proposed closure of Stellwagen.”
“NOAA is saying this closure will not greatly impact the fishing industry, but our fishermen are saying otherwise,” added Rep. Tom Calter, a State Representative for the 12th Plymouth District. “We urge the New England Fishery Management Council to hear their plea and consider the impact this will have not only on the boaters’ livelihoods, but on the local economy as well.”
RFA executive director Jim Donofrio praised the bipartisan support from Massachusetts legislators as a key factor in the upcoming Council vote. “There should be nothing to gridlock this vote. Denying access to these fishing grounds will have a devastating economic impact on the charter/party and recreational anglers and all of the businesses that rely on this historic fishery.”
About Recreational Fishing Alliance:
The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation’s saltwater fisheries. For more information, call 888-JOIN-RFA or visit www.joinrfa.org.
Hi,i hope you don’t close it down for us Recreational Fishing,but you will let all the draggers stay put and kill all the fish with there big net’s,if so shame on you
if you look close its in the gom closed area no dragging big mouth
Yeah thanks to those dragnet boats who only care about fattening their pockets no one can go cod fishing.it sucks for everybody.
But as soon as they open the grounds the meat heads are gonna drag all the fish out of are waters.
I agree David. I too feel it is the commercial fisherman that have the greatest impact on fish populations. I can’t bring up my boys fishing live herring for stripers like I was but the commercial fishery can harvest tons. My ten herring three or four times a year is going to make them endangered. The slicks of dead fish from draggers and ruined habitat is irreplaceable! I am not a cod fisherman but I can only imagine what it has done to the cod fishery. I am sure the draggers of the Chesapeake are doing okay on stripers right now. We can all fish with managed numbers.
Once again recreational fishermen take the brunt of it when it is a problem caused by mismanaged commercial fishing…first shad…then herring…now stripers and stellwagen bank…seriously..while they let the commercial fishing go on business as usual…tax greedy polititions who never wet a line deciding what when and where we fish…welcome to a country that was founded because a tax on tea! Weak!
Well said Stephen, as a avid fisherman I agree 100%. I look forward to going offshore in my 22 ft. Seaswirl. As a weekend fisherman like most rec guys we are lucky if we get 2 maybe 3 weekends were the weather is good enough to even think about going out 30+ miles !! $120 fuel $30 bait $30 food and drinks $20 ice!!! $200 dollars can buy a lot of cod and haddock fillets! But it can’t buy the time I spend fishing with my father,friends and children!!!
If we as recreational fishermen can’t fish,then the commercial fleets catches should be impacted with severe cuts to there catch!!!
Wicked unfair!!!!!
What’s next – Cape Cod Bay? I moved from the West Coast to get away from ridiculous rules and regulations. First, we pay to fish in the saltwater. Now you propose to close a offshore fishing area that is close enough for everyone to catch tuna and ground fish. Fishing is a large part of the local economy here in Cape Cod. Charter Boats will be impacted,their customers will go else where. Closing Stallwagen will impact all of Cape Cod. Next come the signs-Cape Cod,Golf and Tennis only.
Recreational and charter fishing is not the problem, its the trawlers and mass load fishing quantities that have brought us here. Recreational fishing stimulates economy in so many ways while commercially it only helps distributors and prices down. I’ll gladly pay more for my white fish filets or go fish them myself if supply goes down due to regulated distribution but dont take my ability to do so away. Any other decision on this is a greased politian
Recreational and charter fishing is not the problem, its the trawlers and mass load fishing quantities that have brought us here. Recreational fishing stimulates economy in so many ways while commercially it only helps distributors and prices down. I’ll gladly pay more for my white fish filets or go fish them myself if supply goes down due to regulated distribution but dont take my ability to do so away. Any other decision on this is a greased politian protectioning their dirty revenue vaca fund. Do the right thing!!
NOAA wants to close access to recreation anglers….but as part of the 1993 management plan…they can continue research into the impact of mining activities. http://stellwagen.noaa.gov/management/1993plan/pt2sc2c7.html Same old plan….get the commercial and recreational fisherman fighting…disassociate both from access to the Bank….and then open it up to the extractive industries. NOAA uses junk science to justify their political objectives….
I still don’t understand why they dont just ban the draggers and make all commercial groundfishing rod and reel only and if u want fresh native cod and haddock your going to pay for it. Then the draggers can’t complain. Just sell the nets and buy rods!! If anyone thinks that’s a stupid idea please reply
Yeah I couldn’t even imagine how great the fishing would be but unfortunately the net boat owners are gonna whine because they don’t know how to do anything but drop a big net down and push a throttle forward while sucking on cigarettes.
Guys, this area is already closed to trawlers. So in this case, us rec guys are just playing by the same rules as them. Complaining about not getting access to a dying fishery is crazy. Sorry charter guys, but find a different angle until the stocks recover.
You need to take a look at stellwagen.noaa.gov. Trawl, gill net and pots are still used in the sanctuary . Look at the commercial fishing paragraph.
I’ve heard that Jeffrey’s Ledge is also closed to ALL FISHING ? So now the recreational fisherman of the North East have no place to fish. Also the proposed rolling closures look like all state and federal waters from Massachusetts to southern Maine will be closed through the Summer months. I have spent mega $’s on gear in preparation for the sport that I enjoy. Next year I should wait before buying a license and any gear.
recreational fishing accounts for less than 10% of the total catch,
but supplies 90% more to the local economy than commercial fishing.
The wrong people are being punished here. Any closure to Stellwagon or local waters is going to ruin the economy for everyone.
New England has always had some of the most corrupt politicians in the country. Once again it’s impact has reared its ugly head. It’s kind of funny that Massachusetts is the only state in in the nation that refuses to release public records to the media and it’s citizens. What a joke!
don’t understand why hasn’t the price of cod kept pace with the decline in supply. should be considered a delicacy at this point.
Because most of the cod you’re getting is imported from overseas. Haddock too.
I did not get the memo for the price drop of the salt water fishing permits. Decrease the catch limit size and the area we fish then charge us more to fish. What’s next no more hooks!!!
Where’s your leadership and sense of responsibility. Keep going the way you are and you won’t have any fish to fish for! As far as I’m concerned the only people who should be ALLOWED to fish out there is people who aren’t making money off it! What gives you the right to make a profit off my ocean?!
PS – I’ve relocated 3 times because I’ve lost my job working in Detroit, then as a dried out farmer and finally because AT&T cut 10,000 of my friends. I don’t see them getting bail outs!