Comment from Terry Stockwell

September 15, 2009 Patricia A. Kurkul Regional Administrator NMFS, Northeast Regional Office 1 Blackburn Drive Gloucester, Ma. 01930 Dear Ms. Kurkul, I am writing to provide comments on NMFS’s proposed rules to modify the Gulf of Maine / Georges Bank Herring Mid-water Trawl Gear Letter of Authorization (LOA). The Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) generally supports the proposed rules which will implement the New England Fisheries Management Council’s vote on April 8th 2009 requesting that NMFS require mid-water vessels fishing in CA1 to have 100% observer coverage and to prohibit the slippage of codends. These measures will provide valuable information concerning bycatch in the mid-water trawl fishery, and do not present an unreasonable burden for vessels given access to a groundfish closed area. However, DMR is concerned by the proposed provision that will require termination of the fishing trip and the vessel’s return to port due to mechanical or safety problems of sufficient magnitude. While this proposed measure recognizes that there are certain times that fish must be released from the codend without sampling, clarification of this measure is needed in order to balance the request for full sampling with the severe economic penalties to a vessel required to terminate a trip. I appreciate the opportunity to comment and would be pleased to follow up with you as needed. Please contact me if you have any questions. Sincerely, Terry Stockwell Director of External Affairs