NOAA: Stock Assessment Process To Change

The director of NOAA's Northeast Science Center at Wood's Hole says the agency's decision to use commercial fishing boats in the future to carry out surveys of fishing stocks is an attempt to build "greater shared confidence" in the survey results. NOAA has been conducting stock assessments onboard its own research vessel "Bigelow."

However, Science Director Bill Karp tells WBSM News, the transition to commercial fishing vessels over the next five years won't be easy. "We're only going to be able to make this transition if we're satisfied that we can meet data quality standards and if we can find vessels that are actually capable. I'm confident we can do that but that's a requirement that allows us to move foreward."

The change is being applauded by local fishermen, according to Don Cuddy of the Center for Sustainable Fisheries in New Bedford.

"Now the fishermen feel that their opinion will actually be valued, its something they've been advocating for years. Stock surveys really determine their fate. They really determine how many fish can be caught, and that's their livelihood," said Cuddy.

The system used to measure fish stocks has been one of the biggest points of contention for years between governmental regulators and commercial fishermen.