Lawsuit Documents Show Pattern of Collusion Between Commerce and Rec Fishery
SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] by Peggy Parker - October 18, 2017
Three additional documents have emerged as part of the lawsuit filed against the U.S. Commerce Department that show an intent to end-run normal channels of public comment and regulated processes for regional council activities, only to serve the needs of the sports fishing industry.
The lawsuit, filed by Ocean Conservancy and the Environmental Defense Fund last July, focused on mismanagement of the Gulf Red Snapper fishery, but documents released last week show the recreational industry expects a level of allowance that flies in the face of the legal requirements of the Magnuson Stevens Act, and the processes for managing fisheries that is contained within it.
The documents are part of a 70-page package submitted by the government in response to the plaintiff’s lawsuit. They show clear intent to receive special treatment when it comes to taking more of the annual catch, and broader influence on choosing who sits on the regional management councils ...
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