plugginpete
04-23-2010, 05:40 PM
US lawmakers push for expansion of fishing limits
BOSTON – Nearly two dozen members of Congress are asking the U.S. Department of Commerce's secretary to take emergency steps to increase new fishing catch limits.
The request to Secretary Gary Locke comes as Northeast fishermen prepare for a new way to manage the fishery, going into effect May 1.
The system allots a certain amount of each species to groups of fishermen to manage among themselves. If the groups of fishermen exceed their limit on any groundfish species, they must stop fishing for all species.
In a letter dated Wednesday, the lawmakers say limits on pollock and other species are so low fishermen could exceed their limit in one tow. They ask for catch increases to prevent that.
Twenty-three senators and representatives signed the letter.
The Department of Commerce hasn't returned a telephone call seeking comment.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100422/ap_on_bi_ge/us_fishing_regulations_1
BOSTON – Nearly two dozen members of Congress are asking the U.S. Department of Commerce's secretary to take emergency steps to increase new fishing catch limits.
The request to Secretary Gary Locke comes as Northeast fishermen prepare for a new way to manage the fishery, going into effect May 1.
The system allots a certain amount of each species to groups of fishermen to manage among themselves. If the groups of fishermen exceed their limit on any groundfish species, they must stop fishing for all species.
In a letter dated Wednesday, the lawmakers say limits on pollock and other species are so low fishermen could exceed their limit in one tow. They ask for catch increases to prevent that.
Twenty-three senators and representatives signed the letter.
The Department of Commerce hasn't returned a telephone call seeking comment.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100422/ap_on_bi_ge/us_fishing_regulations_1