The federal government shutdown has affected many industries as funding bills for various industries remain in limbo as the Trump administration and lawmakers struggle to reach an agreement.
While many concerns regarding the shutdown, now approaching its fourth week, are for current actions – such as inspections at lower-risk food plants – commercial fishing groups fear a protracted closure could have lingering effects for their industry even once an agreement is reached.
In the Gulf of Mexico, fishermen have raised concerns that the shutdown could keep the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council from passing an agreement for the five Gulf states to manage recreational red snapper fishing. If that happens, it could reduce the number of fishing days available this summer as the program would be delayed until 2020.
“Commercial fishermen, charter fishermen, and private recreational anglers have spent years working to reach common ground, and now this shutdown could delay the sustainable solution that private anglers have been looking for,” said Eric Brazer, the Gulf of Mexico Reef Shareholders’ Alliance deputy director, in a release.
The shutdown also affects fishermen in Alaska as halibut and sablefish quota transactions are on hiatus. Across the country, NOAA Fisheries officials are not able to review decisions reached by fishery management councils. Work on stock assessments and amendments also have been put on hold as have reviews of exempted fishing permit applications.
The shutdown also could put some fishing stocks at risk since no one at NOAA Fisheries will be watching landings reports. That could lead to overfishing in some fisheries.
“With an extended shutdown, livelihoods, on the water accountability, and the sustainability of our marine resources will all be put at risk as stock assessments and management priorities, and necessary rulemakings become impossible with new constraints and timelines,” said Ben Martens, the executive director of the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association.
Photo courtesy of Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
