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EUROPEAN CETACEAN BYCATCH CAMPAIGN |
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FRANK PALLONE, JR |
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House of Representatives |
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Douglas K. Hall |
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Assistant Secretary |
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14th Street at Constitution Ave. |
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I am writing to convey serious reservations regarding the experimental use of pair |
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trawls. This experiment began in 1991 with only six boats and has grown to its |
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current level of 14 vessels operating in pairs. This is not a new technique and a 5 |
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year trial period should be more than adequate to determine any parameter |
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relating to gear operation, efficiency, and catch. |
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Pair trawling has shown itself to be a highly efficient technique that will only |
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exacerbate the current overcapitalization and overfished conditions of the |
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fisheries. I am very concerned over the discard and bycatch resulting from the |
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massive nets employed by pair trawlers and especially the impact of this gear |
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on marine mammals. |
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This gear has already been banned from the New England ground fisheries and |
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in all Canadian fisheries. The introduction of a new gear type is unwarranted |
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and certainly has the potential to displace other historic fisheries. |
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I urge that the evaluation period come to a close and the special permit for pair |
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trawling be discontinued. This experiment has lasted for 5 full fishing seasons |
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and I am strongly opposed to any further continuation. Thank you for your |
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attention in this serious matter and I look forward to your reply. |
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Sincerely, |
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Frank Pallone, Jr. |
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Member of Congress |
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