I am directly affected by this. These recent NOOA decisions affect commercial,recreational and charterboat people.
This disaster started a few years back when Obama appointee Jane Lubchenco turned the large draggers loose on a large area that was off limits to them.
We were allowed to do charters in this area using rod and reel and were heavily restricted for more than 10 years.
The cod and Haddock made a great comeback and Lubchenco facilitated the large draggers in wiping them out. Then NOOA declared an emergency.
Like a bolt out of the blue charterboats were forbidden to take cod or haddock after October 31, 2014
That was a crippling blow to charteroats. We usually fish into November.
Right now, no one has any idea of what will happen next spring. But the speculation is pretty gloomy.
Coincidentally I talked to a Lobsterman this AM and they are under attack also. The welfare of whales are being used to put them under. -Tom
That should read:
Like a bolt out of the blue charterboats were forbidden to take cod or haddock after August 31, 2014
Yes, it was that bad for us, wiping out the Sept. and October cod fishing.