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OCEAN MANAGEMENT TASK FORCE REPORT
The Mass. Ocean Management Task force released their recommendations to promote protection and improve management of the state’s ocean waters.
The intent of this task force, created by Governor Romney a year ago, is to ensure state ocean management policies adequately address the overseeing of coastal waters. There are 23 members including Tom Cox, president of MMTA, and representatives from commercial fishermen, scientists, ocean mangers, and other non-profit organizations.
A key recommendation is for the legislature to ultimately pass legislation providing the Commonwealth with the legal authority to designate certain areas within state waters—(generally up to 3 miles from the state coastline) - for specific purposes.
However, this is not without some serious concerns from both recreational fishermen and lobstermen. about potential closure of prime fishing waters.
The Mass. Striped Bass Association (F2F@basspond.com) and the Recreational Fishing Alliance (michaelrfa@cs.com) are posting brochures around the state advising recreational boaters that government agencies are being pressured by “radical environmental groups” to permanently close large tracts of the ocean—most notably Stellwagen Bank—to recreational fishing. They are promoting the MA Freedom to Fish Act which was recently introduced.
Public comment should be made to the Office of Coastal Zone Management, 251 Causeway St., Suite 900, Boston, MA 02114 (Robin Lacey, 617-626-1220) through April 23rd.
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