GLOUCESTER – Mass. Gov. Deval L. Patrick will back a lawsuit challenging the legality of the new fishing regulatory system, The Gloucester Times reported on Sunday.
The new system, based on tight landings limits and a “catch share” format – a system that distributes shares of a total catch to commercial fishers based on either their historical catch or an auction – has “temporarily disrupted” seaport economies along the East Coast since it started taking effect in May.
The newspaper said that the system encourages less capitalized, independent fishing boats to sell or lease out their quota to stronger competitors. Reports from Gloucester and New Bedford flag at least half of the boats idling while the larger, multi-boat businesses “enjoy unprecedented revenue gains.”
Patrick is set to file an “amicus” legal brief and join a lawsuit – alleging that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration policies have displaced small boat owners – brought by Gloucester and New Bedford.
Congressmen Barney Frank, D-Mass., and John Tierney, D-Mass., have already filed “friend of the court” support for the lawsuit as well as the Washington-based consumer group Food and Water Watch.
“Gov. Patrick remains committed to finding a balance between conservation and economic viability in the regulation of ground fishing in Massachusetts,” said Robert Keough, assistant secretary for communications and public affairs in the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. “In the context of strict catch limits, the transition…has been difficult for the Massachusetts fishing fleet, with significant economic impact.”
The Pew Environment Group had urged the governor to remain uncommitted to the lawsuit. “There are other fishermen from smaller ports who prefer the new approach,” said Peter Baker of the group.
Patrick and others had filed an emergency order request with Commerce Secretary Gary Locke asking him to use his authority to lift catch limits. Patrick’s request was based on documents that show industry unemployment has been spiking in the first six months of fishing under catch shares in New England, the Gloucester Times reported.
