Kerry applauds increase in catch limits for MA fishermen

[karynnj]

Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) today released a statement applauding negotiations between the United States and Canada that have led to an increase in catch limits for Massachusetts’ fishermen.

“Massachusetts fishermen play fair when it comes to sharing the same stocks and same waters as our Canadian friends, but over my dead body will our fishermen be short-changed by the rules,” said Sen. Kerry. “We’ve had a lousy economy and our fishermen have played by the rules and today they’re starting to get the equal treatment they deserve.”

Today’s negotiations, which were made possible by legislation passed by Congressman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), will allow for an 18% increase in the catch limit for yellowtail flounder in Georges Bank in 2011. That increase translates to a 2.5 million pound fish quota and a 44% increase over projected catch limit levels for the 2011 fishing year. Because yellowtail flounder is a chock stock, the increased catch limit will benefit flounder fishermen and allow all fishermen to target healthier fish stocks. The increase will also benefit scallopers as yellowtail flounder is a bycatch.

I looked to find the bill Kerry is referring to - it is one of the many examples where Thomas does not show the the bill passed - even though it did - as can be seen by the NOAH statement below and Kerry's comments above. The Senate bill is Snowe's S2856 and the Frank's House bill is HR4369 The last I can see in Thomas was that it was amended and reported out of the Commerce committee on May 24, 2010. (MA Senator Kirk was the only co-sponsor.)



Here is a NOAH statement on the passage of the International Fisheries Agreement Clarification Act.

December 23, 2010
We are pleased with passage of the International Fisheries Agreement Clarification Act. Secretary Locke and NOAA leadership worked with Congressional leaders to craft effective legislation that will help level the playing field between the United States and Canada for important transboundary fisheries. We thank the members of Congress from New England for working with us and passing the legislation.
This legislation paves the way to reopen discussions with Canada on fishery management measures, such as catch limits for Georges Bank yellowtail flounder. As soon as the President signs this legislation, we will quickly initiate discussions with our Canadian counterparts and the New England Council, so we can move forward to help New England fishermen and families.

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/mediacenter/docs/SchwaabStatement.pdf

Another article on this - http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110210/NEWS/102100319/-1/NEWSMAP