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Maine Acting Commissioner Sends Letter to NMFS concerning 12" Rock Hopper Gear in the Northern Shrimp Fishery, and Receives Response, December 30, 2011

Acting DMR Commissioner Keliher expressed concern over correspondence received yesterday that the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Office of Law Enforcement (NMFS/OLE) intends to apply the 12” rock hopper gear requirement to shrimp trawlers in the Western Gulf of Maine.

Text of Commissioner's letter here, pdf file, 1 page, 62 kb
(PDF files may require Adobe Reader software (download free here) to view or print.)

He received the following response from NMFS Director of the Office of Law Enforcement, Bruce Buckson:

"Shrimp Season Patrol Guidance

GUIDANCE TO BE FOLLOWED

1. During these patrols we will document all vessels that ARE IN COMPLIANCE with the rule as well as vessels that ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE with the rule.

2. No trips will be terminated for non-compliance of this rule.

3. No violations will be issued this season for non-compliance with this rule. Education only."

"Those fishermen who are issued written warnings will not be prevented from fishing in the area where the restriction is in place on the day such a written warning is issued nor on future dates this shrimp season..."

For more information, please contact your local Marine Patrol officer, or call our offices at 633-9595 (Division I) or 667-3373 (Division II).

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