Hooker’s Ball 2009:
The annual benefit is the party of the season — all for a good cause.
Speak Up
For the first time in decades, change is on the horizon for New England’s groundfish fleet. On June 25, the New England Fishery Management Council approved an amendment to the current management plan for groundfish stocks (including cod, haddock, and flounder) that will offer fishermen a better way to do business.
Fishermen will have the opportunity to work in community-based harvesting cooperatives, called Sectors, instead of under complex and often-ineffective federal restrictions. By allocating each Sector a certain amount of fish and allowing more flexibility in how those fish are harvested, implementing this model will help rebuild fish stocks while creating safer fishing trips, reduced fish waste, and increased profits for fishermen.
Currently under review by the National Marine Fisheries Service, Amendment 16 would be implemented starting in May 2010.
UPDATES ON AMENDMENT 16
June 25 - Hook Association press release: "Fishery Council Endorses Progressive Management System"
June 26 - New England Fishery Management Council press release: "Council Adopts Catch Share Program to Manage Groundfish Stocks"
June 26 - NEFMC: Summary of Council's actions on groundfish
June 30 - NEFMC: Report on Council's actions
July 2 - New England Farmer's Union press release: "New England Farmers Union Lauds Member Organization For Leading Groundfish Innovation"
LEARN MORE ABOUT AMENDMENT 16:
- Read the Public Hearing Document on Amendment 16
- Read the Hook Association's overview of Amendment 16
- Ready the Hook Association's press release:
"Local fishermen prepare for monumental vote"- June 18
- Read news articles on the issue:
June 29, 2009
New Fishing Regulations a Boon for Fish and Industry - Public News Service
June 26, 2009
Cape Codder- Huge changes in groundfishing as Sectors come into play
June 26, 2009
Vineyard Fishermen Win Sector in Fisheries Management Overhaul
June 22, 2009
June 17, 2009
"Life before cod" - The Local Food Report- WCAI
June 2009
"Sectors: It's time to do things differently" - Commercial Fisheries News, page 1
June 10, 2009
"Poll shows public support of fisheries plan" - New Bedford Standard Times
June 5, 2009
"Canadians share fishing success story" - New Bedford Standard Times
May 31, 2009
"Move to Redefine New England Fishing" - New York Times
May 18, 2009
"A better fishing system" - Boston Globe
May 10, 2009
April 24, 2009
“My view: Catch-based sectors: Common ground for NOAA and area fishermen” -
Gloucester Daily Times
February 21, 2009
“Community standards: Cape Cod fishermen are among first to share and better manage limits on their catch on cod” - The Boston Globe
