Fishermen Fear Monitor Trial Will Be Too Late

New England fishermen of food fish like cod and haddock say they fear they will have to start paying the cost of at-sea monitors before the issue goes to trial.

Fishermen will have to start paying the cost of the monitors around March 1 under new rules. Monitors collect data to help determine future fishing quotas and can cost about $800 per day.

The cost shift is the subject of a federal lawsuit between a group of fishermen and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Portsmouth Herald reports one of the fishermen who sued, David Goethel of Hampton, New Hampshire says the costs will force fishermen to close business and he hopes the trial is expedited.

Fishermen sought an injunction last week to prevent the cost shift. It was denied.

(Associated Press)