Comment from Capt. George Lemieux

I am in disagreement with the rule proposed to reduce recreational bag limits on haddock from unlimited to 9 fish per person. I do not believe the data collection methods being employed provide a accurate assessment of the actual recreational impact on the haddock fishery. Rod and reel recreation fisherman could never deplete a fish stock especially here in the Gulf of Maine considering the short season and weather conditions that on many days deter the recreational fisherman from fishing. If there is concern with the haddock stocks I would suggest that NMFS close George's Bank haddock spawning areas which have been open to fishing the past few years. I also recommend that midwater trawler haddock by catch limits be reduced and not increased as had been done recently. NMFS should reconsider their position on protecting dogfish. The dogfish populations are out of control and are having a detrimental impact on both haddock and cod stocks.