I am writing to you regarding the recent revelations of the gear problems

aboard NOAAıs research vessel, the Albatross IV, which the National Marine

Fisheries Service and the New England Fisheries Science Center uses for

stock assessments in the Gulf of Maine and elsewhere. As you are well aware

of the economic and social repercussions of an assessment that reflects a

low stock biomass, the precision and accuracy of the science by which the

assessment is determined should be held to the highest standards.

Unfortunately the current state of affairs at these agencies dealing with

this matter is one of arrogance, ignorance and ineptitude. I attended the

two day trawl survey workshop in Woods Hole, Massachusetts on October 2nd

and 3rd and talked in depth with the fishermen that were on the Albatross IV

for the test trawl survey. They described a myriad of gear problems and

witnessed first hand a degree of ineptitude in fishing practices that in

their words were astonishing.

The crew of the Albatross would have sent a net over that had problems with

almost every aspect of a trawl had the commercial fishermen aboard as

observers were not there to stop them.

These problems were discussed at the Workshop and after two days of

discussion a list of findings and recommendations were drawn up. (document

included)

I am also forwarding a letter to Vice Admiral Conrad Lautenbacher, Jr.

from Matt Stommel a commercial fishermen with 30 years experience. Mr.

Stommel was on board the Albatross for the test trawl survey. In this letter

you will see the level of frustration and mistrust with which the fishing

industry has to deal with.

The National Marine Fisheries Service not only failed to correct the

problems which they admitted to, they also failed to abide by the terms that

were established and agreed upon in good faith by the fishing industry and

themselves.

Upon the facts presented by Mr. Stommelıs letter, my personal observations

and the other fishing industry representatives it is obvious that there are

much deeper problems than just those pertaining to gear.

I would like to request that a Senate investigation be initiated to get to

the root of a problem which not only has destroyed the little faith that the

industry had with those that control their livelihood but may be destroying

the livelihood of fishermen around the entire country.

I feel strongly that only a course of action such as this will put a stop

to the injustice and arrogance that has so quickly and effortlessly been

espoused by those in the National Marine Fisheries Service whenever they

have been brought into question by the fishing industry. Enough is enough.

Sincerely yours,

Bill Crowe, Managing Editor, Fishermenıs Voice