Sector IX Objects to Suspension in Letter to NOAA; Asks to Operate While Investigating Over Fishing
SEAFOONEWS.COM by John Sackton December 5, 2017
The current board of Sector IX, which was the New England sector where Carlos Rafael’s vessels operated while engaging in systematic false reporting and overfishing of catch shares, has asked NOAA’s regional Administrator John Bullard to rescind his order shutting down the sectors’ operations.
NOAA suspended the contract for the sector to operate in November, following a review subsequent to the conviction and sentencing of Carlos Rafael. NOAA is still determining what final administrative action to take regarding the permits that were owned by Rafael and his associates.
Sector IX is urgently trying to keep these permits actively fishing in New Bedford, and has marshalled support from the other owners, crews, and marine supply houses that benefit from continuing to fish on these permits.
Chief among the beneficiaries is the Whaling City Display Auction...
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