JCAA,SSFFF, RFA, United Boatmen or NJ and NY join forces

[CapBob]

Update on Summer Flounder Research
Last month I discussed the $15,000 JCAA has earmarked for summer flounder research. The coalition is the Partnership for Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Science Inc. (PFMAFS). This group will hire scientists to be part of the 2008 benchmark summer flounder stock assessment. To date the groups that are members of this coalition are JCAA, RFA, SSFFF, United Boatmen of NY, United Boatmen of NJ, the Garden State Seafood Association and the NY Tackle Trades Association. The scientists who will attend these meetings and be part of the process are Dr Eric Powell (HSRL Rutgers), Dr Ken Able (IMCS Rutgers), Dr Brian Rothschild (Univ. of Massachusetts), Emerson Hasbrouck (Cornell Univ.) and Bruce Freeman. They all have impeccable credentials and are very familiar with the models and the process. PFMAFS has developed a budget to pay for services and travel expenses for four of the scientists. JCAA will be paying directly for Bruce Freeman’s expenses for attending these meetings. Bruce Freeman is doing this as a volunteer so there is no salary or stipend expense involved.

The following organizations are the only ones listed in the most recent minutes for their commitment to provide funds for the science effort:

Garden State Seafood Association $15,000
Jersey Coast Anglers Association $10,000. (plus an additional $5,000 for expenses for Bruce Freeman)
Suffolk County, NY $5,000
Save the Summer Flounder Foundation $2,000.
Total: $32,000
The money coming from Suffolk County was raised by Phil Curcio representing the New York Tackle Trade Association and United Boatmen of New York. Phil is working to secure additional contributions from New York state organizations. At this time no other organizations have confirmed their contributions.

Working with the benchmark process will be only the beginning of the efforts that will be undertaken by this partnership. As a partnership we have committed to looking for long-term summer flounder research, ecosystem management and the impact of pollution and habitat destruction. For this type of major research we need a commitment from the Federal government. JCAA has committed to using our resources and contacts in Washington, DC to promote this effort. I will be leading this effort for JCAA and will be meeting with our representatives in Washington, DC in February. United Boatmen of New Jersey, Garden State Seafood and JCAA have been working on promoting research projects for over 16 years. With the addition of New York organizations and the RFA and SSFFF, we have expanded this coalition. We need to continue this expansion as broadly as possible. When you look at the budgets of NMFS and the various state agencies, no money is being spent on this type of research. The commercial and recreational fishing industries and the people who participate have been suffering for years. We get poor management and poor science. The economic value of the commercial and recreational industries far exceeds the minimal amount that is spent on these industries by both the states and the Federal government. I am so proud of all of us for our ability to set aside our differences and focus on these crucial issues. Congratulations to everyone involved.

 

[IrishAyes]

This is what it will take to make any progress.  We need all groups to come together as one.  By each individual group going out on their own and doing research, we will accomplish very little.  The more money that can be put together the better science we can get.

Thanks to out to all of the groups who are working as one. 

I know there are a lot of Charter Captains, Bait & Tackle shops and other various businesses that will be affected if there is nothing done to correct the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Not to mention all of the individual fishermen.  To date, too many have not come on board in this effort.

Contributions are needed by ALL to GIT R DONE!

[Luna Sea 5]

great find

[TurboDan]

The recs are learning the lessons the coms learned a few years back when their backs were against the wall with various species.  Really, the RFA is best positioned to lobby in DC and the SSFFF is best enabled to pay for scientists and bring things together.

Remember, even if flexibility is built into the Magnuson-Stevens Act, we still have to prove the government's data is wrong and rebuilding is occurring.  That takes scientists and studies, which will have to be conducted before this time next year.  They have A LOT to get done, but the SSFFF is made up of a some GREAT people!