Comment from Paul Ferriero, fisherman

By instituting a control date you will have effectively eliminated the transfer of permits by fishermen. In an industry that is already economically challenged, you will add to the burden of individuals who have invested heavily into their lobster fishing business with little or no chance of ever recouping their capitol. Being able to pass along the permit when retiring is the only incentive a young fisherman would have to buy out the retiree's business. If the true purpose of a control date is to control effort, I'm sure there are other ways to regulate.