Squid In Nantucket Sound Massachusetts

[loligo]

I guess I forgot to mention above that the 2 week extension is for fishing inside the 3 mile line, which has always been closed to trawling after May 1'st. The trawlers have always been able to fish after May 1'st, just not inside the 3 mile line. The area in question had always been closed to small mesh fishing (squid), until 1990, when the trawlers suceeded in getting DMF to allow them to fish inside the 3 mile line from April 23 - May 1. DMF conceded the opening, because they weren't able to enforce the regulations thast prevented it.

(basically didn't/wouldn't do their job!)



This area that they want access to is the where many people fish with fish traps and hook and line, almost all of which begins after May 1. If this petition from the trawlers is approved (I don't think it will be) then the people that ordinarily fish there will be put out of work for 2 very important weeks while we wait for the trawlers to finish.





This area is a very important area for squid and black sea bass to spawn, and the trawlers should never have been allowed in there in the first place, potential for undersized bycatch is enormous, and the destruction/disruption of the sensitive bottom environment is too risky to even consider this.



Happy spring



-loligo