Maine senators want review of groundfish data> Cohen, Snowe cite contradiction in Canadian studies predicting increase in fish along Georges Bank

PORTLAND — Encouraged by scientific reports predicting an increase of groundfish stocks in Canada, Maine’s U.S. senators on Thursday asked federal officials to launch a review of the data that led to strict new fishing regulations in New England.

“In light of recent developments in Canada, the National Marine Fisheries Service must act quickly to address the serious concerns within the fishing community about the reliability of scientific data on which the government has based its groundfish management measures,” Sens. William Cohen and Olympia Snowe said in a letter to U.S. Commerce Secretary Mickey Kantor.

Cohen and Snowe, both Republicans from a state that relies heavily on the fishing industry, asked Kantor to commission the National Academy of Sciences to conduct an independent study of groundfish stocks, including the data used in Canadian studies that predicted an increase in fish along Georges Bank.

Earlier this month, the Fisheries Resource Conservation Council released data predicting that stocks of cod and haddock on the portion of Georges Bank within Canada’s jurisdiction could double or triple this year. The council also recommended relaxing restriction on groundfishing there by increasing quotas for cod, haddock and yellowtail flounder.

“The Canadian announcement has only deepened skepticism within the fishing communities about the reliability of the scientific data on which U.S. authorities have based their groundfish management measures,” the senators said.

Federal officials had no immediate comment on the senators’ request.

But the commerce secretary will likely try to convince his counterpart at the Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans in Canada to hold firm with the conservation measures in place there, said a spokesman at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Kantor is expected to urge Canadian officials to give the fish stocks time to rebound for a greater long-term benefit for both countries, the spokesman said.

The U.S. rules, approved by the federal government May 16, close some fishing grounds, limit the total groundfish catch, and make drastic cuts in the number of days boats may spend at sea each year.