Stellwagen Fisherman Under Attack

[relentless]

Received this today and ruined my Christmas morning, teh SBNMS just will not give up, time to get real vocal on this one if ou fish anywhere as you could be next.

Dave



16 December 2011

The Honorable John Kerry
One Bowdoin Square, Tenth Floor
Boston, MA 02114
Dear Senator Kerry:

We, the undersigned group of 61 academic scientists, are writing to request your help facilitating a
public review of an important marine conservation and management proposal for the waters off the
coast of New England. Recently NOAA’s Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary (SBNMS) released a
draft proposal to designate a Sanctuary Ecological Research Area (SERA) within its boundaries
(http://stellwagen.noaa.gov/library/p...a_proposal.pdf). The rationale for the SERA
proposal is to delineate an area to conduct monitoring and research to better understand how human
uses of the marine environment affect biological diversity, including those species managed for
sustainable harvest. By design, the SERA has three sub‐areas and will allow long term studies of marine
communities under different fishing regimes as well as a limited area with no‐fishing that will serve as a
reference site. There currently is no such area in the Gulf of Maine. Without a true research/reference
area, understanding the effects of human uses of the oceans, the foundation for ecosystem
management, is severely compromised. The SERA will permit such research, the results of which will
address the management needs of both SBNMS and New England fisheries.

Scientists and managers contributing to the design of the SERA proposal understood that it
would be referred by NOAA to the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) for consideration
in an ongoing Essential Fish Habitat amendment process. The referral by NOAA to the NEFMC is the key
critical step to initiating an open and public review. Following its own lengthy public process, the
SBNMS Sanctuary Advisory Council voted by a wide margin to forward the proposal to the NEFMC.
Unfortunately, NOAA has not yet carried out that recommendation leaving the SERA proposal in
bureaucratic limbo. Referring this proposal to the NEFMC is not a public notice of impending regulation
but simply opens the door for a useful public discussion. Much discussion and analysis would remain
once the Council opens that deliberation, with many possible outcomes as the SERA proposal – even in
the most positive scenario ‐ is combined with other contemplated management actions such as opening
fishery closed areas.

This proposal clearly addresses the needs of SBNMS, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the
NEFMC and the fishing community. While it may not be adopted as a result of the NEFMC and public
review process, it deserves an appropriate forum to be aired. Unfortunately, it appears that political
sensitivity, given the many additional conflicts currently in play in the realm of New England fisheries,
may be overriding NOAA’s stewardship responsibilities.

We ask for your support and encourage you to contact the Department of Commerce and
NOAA to request they officially forward the SERA proposal to the NEFMC. This simple action formally
initiates a public conversation. If DOC and NOAA are afraid of words, where is natural resource
management in our Nation headed? Thank you, in advance, for your consideration.

Sincerely1,

Les Kaufman, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
Boston University Marine Program
Boston, MA

Richard F. Ambrose, Ph.D.
Professor of Environmental Science
University of California
Los Angeles, CA

Richard Appeldoorn, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto
Rico
Mayaguez, PR

Dr. Nancy A. Auer
Associate Professor Biological Sciences
Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Peter J. Auster, Ph.D.
Research Professor of Marine Sciences
University of Connecticut
Groton, CT

Mark C. Benfield, Ph.D.
Professor
School of the Coast and Environment, Louisiana State
University
Baton Rouge, LA

Dr. Daniel R. Brumbaugh
Research Associate
Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California
Santa Cruz, CA

Ann Bucklin, Ph.D.
Professor and Head, Department of Marine Sciences
Director, Marine Sciences and Technology Center
University of Connecticut
Groton, CT

David M. Burdick, Ph.D.
Research Associate Professor
Department of Natural Resources and the Environment,
University of New Hampshire
Durham, NH

Jeb Byers, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Marine Ecology
University of Georgia
Athens, GA

Lawrence B. Cahoon, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology and Marine Biology
University of North Carolina
Wilmington, NC

Patrick Christie, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
School of Marine and Environmental Affairs and Jackson
School of International Studies
University of Washington
Seattle, WA

Benjamin Cuker, Ph.D.
Professor of Marine and Environmental Studies
Hampton University
Hampton, VA

Paul K. Dayton, Ph.D.
Professor of Oceanography
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
La Jolla, CA

Mary Beth Decker, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Yale
University
New Haven, CT

Michael P. De Luca
Senior Associate Director
Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers
University
New Brunswick, NJ

Fred C. Dobbs, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Ocean, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences,
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA

Tim Essington, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
University of Washington
Seattle, WA

James A. Estes, Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor
Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of
California
Santa Cruz, CA

Ron J. Etter, Ph.D.
Professor
Biology Department, University of Massachusetts
Boston, MA

Scott C. France, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Lafayette, LA

Tamara Frank, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center
Dania, FL

Roger T. Hanlon, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist
Marine Resources Center, Marine Biological Laboratory
Woods Hole, MA 02543

Gene Helfman, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus of Ecology
Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia
Athens, GA

Scott Heppell, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State
University
Corvallis, OR

Mark Hixon, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Zoology, Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR

Lewis S. Incze, Ph.D.
Research Professor
School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine
Walpole, ME

John Janssen, Ph.D.
Professor
School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin‐
Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

Peter Jumars, Ph.D.
Professor of Marine Sciences
Darling Marine Center, University of Maine
Walpole, ME

Christopher C. Koenig, Ph.D.
Reef Fish Ecology Group
Florida State University Coastal and Marine Laboratory
St. Teresa Beach, FL

Scott D. Kraus, PhD.
Vice President of Research
New England Aquarium
Boston, MA

Dr. Lori LaPlante
Associate Professor
Saint Anselm College
Machester, NH

Don R. Levitan, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Biological Science, Florida State
University
Tallahassee, FL

Ken Lindeman, Ph. D.
Professor
Florida Institute of Technology
Melbourne, FL

James Lindholm, Ph.D.
James W. Rote Distinguished Professor of Marine
Science & Policy
California State University Monterey Bay
Seaside, CA

Romuald N. Lipcius, Ph.D.
Professor of Marine Science
Virginia Institute of Marine Science, The College of
William & Mary
Gloucester Point, VA

J. Ellen Marsden, Ph.D.
Professor
Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural
Resources, University of Vermont
Burlington, VT

Steven Miller, Ph.D.
Research Professor
University of North Carolina
Wilmington, NC

John C. Ogden, Ph.D.
Emeritus Professor of Integrative Biology
University of South Florida
Tampa, Florida

Dr. Michael K. Orbach
Professor of Marine Affairs and Policy
Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University
Beaufort, NC

Robert T. Paine, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus of Biology
University of Washington
Seattle, WA

Mark R. Patterson, Ph.D.
Director, Autonomous Systems Laboratory
College of William & Mary
Gloucester Point, VA

Michael A. Rex, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
University of Massachusetts
Boston, MA

Joe Roman, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT

Matthias Ruth, Ph.D.
Roy F. Weston Chair in Natural Economics
University of Maryland
College Park, MD

Stuart Sandin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Marine Ecology
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
La Jolla, CA

Eric Schultz, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology,
University of Connecticut
Storrs CT

Timothy M. Shank, Ph.D.
Associate Scientist
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Woods Hole, MA

Su Sponaugle, Ph.D.
Professor Marine Biology & Fisheries
Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science,
University of Miami
Miami, FL

Ben Steele, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair
Department of Natural Sciences, Colby‐Sawyer College
New London, NH

Robert S. Steneck, Ph.D
Professor of Oceanography, Marine Biology and Marine
Policy
School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine
Walpole, ME

Bradley G. Stevens, Ph.D.
Professor and Distinguished Research Scientist
Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center,
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Princess Anne, MD

Stephen T. Tettelbach, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
C.W. Post Campus, Long Island University
Brookville, NY

Brian N. Tissot, PhD
Professor
School of Earth & Environmental Science, Washington
State University
Vancouver, WA

Dr. Robert L. Vadas, Sr.
Professor Emeritus
University of Maine
Orono, ME

Penny Vlahos, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Marine Sciences, University of
Connecticut
Groton, CT

Robert Warner, Ph.D.
Professor of Marine Biology
University of California
Santa Barbara, CA

Les Watling, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, HI

Judith S. Weis, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University
Newark, NJ

Charles Yarish, Ph.D.
Professor
Departments of Ecol. & Evolutionary Biology and
Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut
Stamford, CT

Phil Yund, Ph.D.
Director, Marine Science Center & Center for Land‐Sea
Interactions
University of New England
Biddeford, ME

Cc:
Senator Scott Brown (MA)
Senator Olympia Snowe (ME)
Senator Susan Collins (ME)
Senator Jeanne Shaheen (NH)
Senator Kelly Ayotte (NH)
Senator Richard Blumenthal (CT)
Senator Joseph Lieberman (CT)
Senator SheldonWhitehouse (RI)
Senator Jack Reed (RI)
Representative Joe Courtney (CT)
Representative Rosa DeLauro (CT)
Representative James Himes (CT)
Representative Jim Langevin (RI)
Representative David Cicilline (RI)
Representative Michael Capuano (MA)
Representative Barney Frank (MA)
Representative Edward Markey (MA)
Representative John Tierney (MA)
Representative Stephen Lynch (MA)
Representative Frank Guinta (NH)
Representative Mike Michaud (ME)
Representative Chellie Pingree (ME)
Secretary of Commerce John Bryson
Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere Dr. Jane Lubchenco
Assistant Adminstrator for Fisheries Eric Schwaab
Assistant Administrator for Ocean Service David Kennedy
NMFS Regional Administrator Patricia Kurkul
SBNMS Superintendent Craig MacDonald
New England Fisheries Management Council Executive Director Paul Howard
New England Fisheries Management Council Chair Rip Cunningham
1 ‐ All of the scientists listed here have requested directly that they be included in this letter. Affiliations
after each name simply indicate academic affiliations and do not imply that the contents of this letter
reflect the policies of those institutions.

[MACSON]

How many of those scentists know anything of Stellwagen or of the specfics of the SERA pettiion? How many just signed because they are in favor of no fish sancturaries?

I see only 6 or 7 of the signitures from MA or NH.

The current make up of SBNMS appears decidely anti fishing--some of which is blatantly evident. I further rely on certain fisherman whose evaluation is reservered, well considered, and honest--these guys have told me same--that the ultimate goal is to shut down fishing on the bank, not just the bank, but the entire sanctuary. I am not one to jump to conclusions or extremes--but I believe this deal.

[twofinbluna]

Dave-

Don't let this ruin your Christmas. You know as well as I do that the Sanctuary people are not going to let this go and so efforts like this are to be expected. The fact of the matter is that when the NEFMC had the chance to discuss this proposal back in the Fall, they essentially disregarded the whole thing. I was at the meeting and saw that the sanctuary folks were upset that the issue never came up, so again am not surprised to see them making another effort. From what I can tell there was very, very little interest in discussing any of this at the Council level, and I think NOAA's lack of action so far speaks to their views on the matter, at least so far. I am not saying we do not need to stay on top of this- we obviously do and that would be the case whether or not these scientists write a letter or not- but just saying do not let this ruin your day! Like I said we will be watching this closely, and I know you and SBCBA will be, too.

As an aside, I deal with fishery issues on a daily basis and I have heard of only a couple of those names...

[amarshall]

What I find interesting is that the biggest and most prestigious oceanography program on the east coast; University of Rhode Island did not sign this.

<-Proud alumni

[relentless]

It is just more anti fishing BS by the SBNMS and the National Marine Sanctuary program as a whole led by it's program administrator Dan Basta. None of these people care about the economic impact to a region and only about their own agenda. They did the same thing during the comment period of the five year management plan going out to colleges and having other NGEO'S push their comments about restricting fishing and then tallying up all of the comment and stating peopel from all over the USA were concerned about the human impacts on the bank when half could not even point it out on a map if asked.

I know that their vessel the AUK is often used by BU during the spring and fall and transfer funds to the Sanctuary through the transfer of money through the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, a nn profit group. Can this be ethical when there are private vessels with licensed captains and safety gear ready for charter sitting idle. Such a good use of our tax dollars. Maybe we can charter the boat to go fishing or whale watching like BU does. Between this and the windmills in Maine and Rhode Island, things are out of hand and everyone better get out and vote. Now if I could just find out Mitt Romney and the other candidates position on commercial and recreational fishing I might be able to make a choice come November. Either way I will be voting for a Republican to get Jane off her thrown.

Dave

[Seaker]

Yes indeed there are certainly OTHER NON ARMS LENGTH INTERESTS involved. Why not attempt to dry up a location that has supported commerece, recreation, and a way of life to those who have chosen to persue it for many generations ....when a goup of individuals 38 of which if I did the math correctly are located so far from these waters they need to write grant applications so they can leave their chosen marine locations such as Vt or WI and MI to study Stellwagen...

Yup its nothing more than an effort to close an area that supports a marine fisheries economy, provides employment to the people of New England so scientist from Oregon, PR, WA, LA, FL can ask for more grant money to study..I mean to play in our back yard while collecting funds...

It never ceases to amaze me how one can justify most anything in the name of research....while leaving the watermen of new england on the dock high and dry

yup get out and vote and make some noise

I love fishin the bank and always have and will

She is a special place to be enjoyed by all recreational and charter fisherman and woman

[Captain Greg Sears]

I am going to write a letter and have my Mother sign it she has more experience with Stellwagen than all of those people.

pS: The Stellwagen Marine Sanctuary headquarters on first cliff in Scituate is a great place to walk your dog they have nice soft grass. Buddy loves to crap there.