Join us in voicing your support in protecting Nantucket and MV’s Marine Habitat and fisheries.

http://tinyurl.com/saveourfishery

In the early 1990’s, the state passed a law that was enacted to protect our near coastal fish and marine habitat.  “Inshore fisheries resources are limited and stressed, and overall fishing pressure is increasing. 322 CMR 8.00 is designed to address the efforts of mobile gear fishermen who have a major impact on fish and shellfish abundance by virtue of their ability to pursue fish and their increased fishing power.”

Last year, amendment CMR 8:07:1B2 allowed large fishing boats dragging 2 inch mesh nets to work around the clock in our historically rich inshore (inside of 3 miles) fishing waters.  These boats were targeting squid (the biggest bait in our fishery) and had a significant impact. This gear type is an indiscriminate killers and are deadly effective not only on Squid but also on Striped Bass, Bluefish, Scup, Sea Bass, Fluke and numerous other marine species (all considered bi-catch).  This amendment can be reversed with your help.

Lets unite and join our voices as the concerned people of Nantucket, Cape and the Islands. Let’s protect our Marine resources together. Please join us to say no to the exemption CMR 8:07:1B2 allowing large boats to drag small mesh nets close to our shores resulting on a negative impact on our near shore coastal marine environment and fish!

On January 15th, 2015 at 12:00 PM there will be a meeting with the division of Marine Fisheries to discuss the amendment at the Nantucket Community Room. Please join us and let your voice be heard.

Please also sign our online petition below.  Your signatures will help us protect our fishery.