Ayotte Questions NOAA Administrator on Newly Implemented Federal Cod Catch Limits
Press Release
At a hearing this week, Senator Ayotte questioned National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Dr. Kathryn Sullivan about federal regulations that cut cod catch levels by 75% from 2014 levels and have cut quotas by 95% over the last five years.
"I do not know a business that could take a 95 percent cut and continue to operate. As you know, [New Hampshire fisheries] are a very important business, [a] family business - hard working...fishermen who really care about not only the fishery but also, they make a very noble living... How do we justify [cutting the catch limits] 75 percent in one year, and then 95 percent over five years?" - Senator Kelly Ayotte
Background:
In November 2014, the New England Fishery Management Council voted to reduce the total allowable catch limit for cod in the Gulf of Maine by 75 percent, based on an updated cod stock assessment by NOAA Fisheries. However, both commercial and recreational fishermen dispute the assessment findings based on their on the water observations across the entire Gulf of Maine. This regulation took effect on May 1, 2015. Combined with previous regulations, the quota for Gulf of Maine cod has been reduced by 95 percent over the last five years.
During this week's hearing, Senator Ayotte informed NOAA Administrator Sullivan that she would support a Blue Ribbon review of the regulations, which was requested by fishermen.
Senator Ayotte has repeatedly pushed back against flawed catch share policies that threaten to drive New Hampshire's small boat fishermen out of business. She worked to secure disaster relief funds in an appropriations bill that passed Congress last year, and has urged federal officials to work toward a more sensible regulatory climate that will allow New Hampshire's small boat fishing fleet to survive in the long-term. Ayotte previously introduced the Saving Fishing Jobs Act of 2013, which aims to level the playing field for independent small fishermen by scrapping one-size-fits-all federal catch share programs if they result in significant job loss within a fishery, and putting management control back in the hands of fishermen, who have a vested interest in maintaining fish stocks.
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