Recreational marine fishing in New York created $812 million in sales, directly supported 5,365 jobs
"We should be using sound biology & science" says Rep. Pallone
The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) has been busy on Capitol Hill this week opposing efforts to re-open areas currently closed to pelagic drift longlining. On March 31, 2005, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) released a Final Environmental Assessment proposing to issue Exempted Fishing Permits (EFP) to conduct scientific research experiments using pelagic longline gear in areas of the Gulf of Mexico, Florida East Coast, South Atlantic Bight, Mid-Atlantic Bight and Northeast Coastal Atlantic currently closed to this gear type.