Who's side is MA DMF on?

[Cape Cod 19]

From- http://capecodfisherman.net/ccfblog/?p=206
And - what the hell am I talking about?

Who's side is Massachusetts DMF on anyway? All the fishermen or just a select few? I'm gonna have to go with the latter, because the former don't seem to be "in" on what's looking to be the future of groundfish in Massachusetts......

Remember the CCZ and how it was created? If you don't, l've explained it a few times, but for your sake, I'll say it again- It was created as a reaction to gill netters throwing incredible amounts of fish away there. Nothing more, nothing less, period. DMF was quoted as saying so much in CFN. I don't think the article is still online? DMF director Diodati told the Marine Fisheries Commission that DMF was getting a lot of criticism from NMFS about the greatly escalated cod landings in state waters, which were almost entirely affected by gill netters.

Now- with catch shares about to become the federal management system, DMF is looking at instituting a similar system for our states waters groundfishery and according to recent statements by Mr. Diodati, the state waters groundfishery, based on recent landings, is primarily 20+ gill net vessels, DUH!!!! Since the CCZ and the creation of the SWGE, pretty much all the landings are from gill netters and a few draggers. There hasn't been much opportuinity for skiff fishermen to get to the fish because the places the fish are in in state waters are all closed while the fish are there.

This is just more of the same from MA DMF, starve the hook guys, let them have a permit, but no fishery, let them have a permit, but no value. Let them have a permit, but with less access and lower landing limits.
Maybe I am crazy? But I think they want us to go away, but can't actually just eliminate us altogether (legally), so they'll just let us starve to death?

Our DMF should be doing whatever it can to create/preserve opportunities for small boat hook fishermen, but instead is creating regulations and setting policy after another that precludes our ability to engage the fisheries in a meaningful, productive manner.

What do you think?

[EC NEWELLMAN]

Who's side is Massachusetts DMF on anyway?

Good question and the Massachusetts DMF has so many plates in the air since they are front and center with the catch share issue, along with the nonsense with closing striped bass to the commercials, and other fishery issues.

Sure, 100 percent supportive of the hook and line fishery and it should be paramount that the Mass. DMF supports this group of fishermen..... but it sure seems like that Diodati is getting his marching orders from Kurkel/NOAA whose game plan is to literally get rid of as many fishermen with licenses as possible.

The small boat hook fishermen is the most viable and sustainable alternative when you look at the big picture of rebuilding fisheries, but at this time the pressure from the 'enviros' and big corporate interests that have bought many licenses and permits over the last few years is to eliminate those that do not have the advocacy groups behind them or financial resources to take them on.

More to come, since I have a few other articles to post about the Obama administration moving full steam ahead to get rid of as many fishermen as possible.