Re: Current fisheries regulations don't work. Here is my framework
I spent some time on the MAMFC website and came across a guide to navigating the council process.
According to the guide there are a set of 10 national standards that all fisheries management plans must comply.
We have already proven I'm not an English major. I'm also not a lawyer. But in reading the 10 commandments, its very easy to see, the current regulations violate the national standards.
Here are 2 prime examples.
Conservation and management measures shall:
#4 Not discriminate between residents of different states; any allocation of privileges must be fair and equitable.
Is fishing a privilege or a right as a US citizen? That's pretty tough language.
Moreover, current regulations do discriminate between NY and NJ and the allocation process is not fair and equitable.
#8 Take into account the importance of fishery resources to fishing communities to provide for sustained participation of, and minimize advsere impacts, to such communities.
Having restrictions so tight that charter and headboats can't fish for certain species due to arbitrary seasons and making bag limits so small (winter flounder) anglers no longer use for hire boats. Increasing regulations are on the verge of destroying this community.
The guide to navigating the process is actually pretty good. I encourage folks to go to MAMFC.com and have a look.
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