NOAA Fishery Regulations Relentless, Vindictive, Overzealous, Not Based on Science, Says Massachusetts Democrat
Regulation? Not in their backyard
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is facing backlash from new regulations lowering by 77 percent the allowable catch for New England groundfish, resulting in a federal lawsuit filed by the state's Attorney General Martha Coakley, who lost to Republican Scott Brown in the 2010 special election for Senate. At a press conference yesterday, Coakley and other Democrats articulated their opposition to the new regulations. Via South Coast Today:
Coakley and others repeatedly referred to NOAA in harsh terms such as "relentless," "vindictive" and "overzealous."
She said the new quota cutbacks are "essentially a death penalty for the fishing industry as we know it. NOAA totally ignored the impact."
The lawsuit contends that the new quotas, which took effect May 1, violate the Magnuson-Stevens Act which governs fisheries management.
First, the suit says NOAA fisheries failed to seek the maximum sustainable yield on various species of fish as required by law.
Second, the suit charges that NOAA failed to use adequate science in making its decisions.
Third, Coakley said that NOAA failed to consider the effects of the new rules on fishing communities and their economies.
Anti-growth regulations? Not in their back yard.
