Letter to Eileen Sobeck, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries - On Imposing a Costly Fee on Fishing Industry

Letter

Eileen Sobeck
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries
National Marine Fisheries Service/NOAA
U.S. Department of Commerce
1315 East-West Highway
Silver Springs, MD 20910

Dear Ms. Sobeck,

I am writing to express my dismay that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will no longer cover the cost of mandated At-Sea Monitors aboard groundfishing vessels as of March 1, 2016. This estimated cost of $600 per day will be a devastating burden to New Hampshire's groundfishing industry.

While I am mindful of the need for careful monitoring to ensure that accurate data is collected and regulations are not violated, it should not come at such a cost to Granite State fishermen.

Fishing is one of the oldest trades in New Hampshire, critical to our economy on the Seacoast and across the state, with small boat fishermen relying on groundfish in particular to support their livelihoods. Given the great challenges our commercial fishing fleets continually face, the cost prohibitive nature of a requirement to pay for the At-Sea Monitors will have a dire effect on the viability of New Hampshire's fishermen -- placing one of our time-honored and most treasured industries at grave risk.

I urge NOAA to reconsider its decision and call on members of Congress to do all they can to provide the resources needed for NOAA to continue to cover the cost of At-Sea Monitors and not pass this cost onto our fishermen. Please don't hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance as we work to ensure this important industry can continue and strengthen in New Hampshire.

With every good wish,

Margaret Wood Hassan

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