Pallone and Adler Urge NMFS to Reverse Decision to Close Black Sea Bass Fishery

Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Reps. Frank Pallone Jr. and John Adler sent the following letter today to Dr. Jim Balsiger, Acting Assistant Administrator of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NFMS), to express their opposition to the agency’s decision to shut down the recreational black sea bass fishery due to unreliable evidence that the fishery has been overfished. The New Jersey congressmen believe this decision will have a major impact on recreational fishermen and serious implications on coastal economies.

October 1, 2009

Dr. Jim Balsiger, Acting Assistant Administrator

National Marine Fisheries Service

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

1315 East-West Highway

Silver Spring, MD 20910

Dear Dr. Balsiger:

We are writing to express our opposition to the National Marine Fisheries Services’ (NMFS) decision to close the recreational black sea bass fishery. This decision is based on unreliable evidence and will result in a damaging cost to recreational fishermen.

Approximately 65 percent of all recreational landings of black sea bass occur in New Jersey and 90 percent come from federal waters. The federal shutdown of black sea bass harvesting from the Exclusive Economic Zone will have a tragic impact on recreational fishermen and will have serious implications for New Jersey and communities on the Atlantic coast. The shutdown will hurt coastal economies at a difficult time.

Additionally, this closure has no positive evidence-based impact on fishery rebuilding. In fact, the most recent biomass stock assessment suggests that black sea bass is not overfished and overfishing is not occurring. For that reason, there is no need to take drastic emergency action to close the recreational fishery in federal waters because the stock is not in trouble, but is in fact, rebuilt.

We believe using the Marine Recreational Fishing Statistical Survey (MRFSS) as the only tool in determining the shutdown of a fishery is severely flawed. The design of MRFSS is such that it must be used over several years to show trends not snap shots on two month waves. Furthermore, in light of the fact that MRFSS data is not the most accurate way to measure current catch levels, NMFS should pursue new assessments that are more precise. This review should include industry data, as well as other descriptive data that can provide an index of fishing activity.

Recently, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) determined that closing the black sea bass fishery was unnecessary after reviewing the MRFSS data. We think that was the proper decision. Should the Commission have used MRFSS data to close the black sea bass fisheries it would have been an unprecedented use of the data.

We encourage NMFS to take less restrictive measures and take into account the economic impact to the region before shutting down this fishery. Also, NMFS should explore alternative options in managing the fishery that do not place an unnecessary burden on recreational fishermen. We can all agree that sustainable fisheries are the most important goal. However, to continue this assault on recreational fisheries with minimal results is not acceptable.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to discussing this with you further.

Sincerely,

____________________ ____________________

FRANK PALLONE, JR. JOHN ADLER

Member of Congress Member of Congress

Cc: Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration