The regulatory freeze imposed by President Donald Trump has created chaos and uncertainty in a number lucrative American fisheries. This could delay the start of the fishing season on the East Coast for fleets of cod and haddock.

Interviews with federal employees and industry representatives revealed that overfishing is a major factor in the overexploitation of Atlantic bluefin.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is responsible for managing the coastal fisheries of America's $320-billion fishing industry. In accordance with a law passed in 1976, NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service creates management plans for 45 different fisheries. It also sets quotas, determines the beginning and end of fishing seasons and consults federal government scientists as well as local fishermen.

Interviews indicate that Trump's declaration on January 20, of a freeze of 60 days for regulations, disrupted the process in several fisheries. It delayed key meetings and caused confusion regarding new rules.

According to Massachusetts lawmakers, industry groups and federal employees, the freeze has allowed for overfishing of Atlantic bluefin in the waters off North Carolina. This could result in reduced quotas being set by New York and New England fisherman when the fish migrate northward this summer.

Ben Martens is the executive director of Maine Coast Fishermen's Association. "I get calls from fishermen who want to know what will happen."

A senior NOAA employee, who was one of those fired, said that 163 probationary staff - or 5% - of the NOAA fisheries workforce were terminated last month. This included administrative support staff, biologists, and specialists in fisheries management. These roles are part of the regulatory process. They include monitoring the health and condition of stocks, as well as consulting on the regulations for the annual catch.

The agency confirmed that the freeze was in place via email but stated that it would not be responding to any questions regarding management or personnel issues. NOAA Fisheries has confirmed that it is following the Presidential Memorandum Regulatory Freeze Pending Review.

The White House has not responded to any requests for comments.

Even if the new regulations are issued after the freezing is lifted, the delays in opening can impact the industry. This is especially true for fishermen who depend on migratory species or use smaller vessels.

'MAKE or BREAK'

Noah Oppenheim is the principal of Homarus Strategies. The firm advises commercial fisherman and organizations throughout the country.

Two industry groups and 13 NOAA staff members described the impacts of regulatory delays and job reductions from Alaska to Atlantic.

On March 17, 2012, NOAA reinstated 12 of its staff members.

In response to an order of a court

They were put on administrative leave.

The Trump Administration has instructed all federal agencies that they must submit plans to reduce staff further.

Previously, the extent of job losses at NOAA’s Fisheries arm and the effects of the regulatory freezing on the fishing season were not reported.

A suspension of federal regulations and the resulting job cuts could have a broad impact on many sectors of the U.S. economic system.

This month, the mid-Atlantic region was overfished with bluefish tuna

Because NOAA has not issued the regulation closing the fishery

Bill Keating, Massachusetts Democratic Representative, sent two letters to NOAA after the fishermen had filled their quota by mid-January.

Keating's office reported that his first attempt to contact NOAA's congressional representative failed because the person was fired. His second attempt to alert the interim administrator also went unanswered.

NOAA closed the mid-Atlantic fishing on February 28, after 125% had been caught. John McMurray is a New York bluefin fishing enthusiast who says he's not sure if he will have enough of the prized fish to catch in June when his season begins.

He said, "It is hard to believe that we won't be punished for this up here in New York or New England."

Trump had exempted hunting and fishing from the regulatory freeze in his first term. However, no such exception was announced by his current administration.

White House officials have said that cutting regulations will help to combat inflation and boost job growth.

"NO FISHERY NO WORK"

John Ainsworth is a commercial fishing man who has been fishing for squids and other fish near Rhode Island since 1990.

He fears that a chaotic approach could lead to a collapse of fishing stocks.

"The federal managers of the squid fishing are supposed to be cut and when will we know the opening dates for the season without them?" He asked, "When will they decide what percentage of the quota has been caught?"

According to the New England Fishery Management Council (an advisory group), some New England fisheries will open late due to delays in the regulatory processes.

Martens from the Maine Coast Fishermen's Association said that the Northeast's $41million groundfish fishery - which includes cod haddock and flounder - is on course to miss the traditional May 1 opening date, unless NOAA, or the Secretary of Commerce, take emergency measures.

Only a small portion of New England’s $400 million scallop business will also be partially open on April 1. Martens stated that the publication of new regulations may take place until late April.

Linda Behnken is the executive director of Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association. She said that a delayed opening of fishing means less time for fishing for fishermen, less workload for crews and less fish for markets.

She said, "No fishing means no work."

Behnken was part of the effort to finish the rule-making so that the season could begin.

One NOAA employee stated that the preparations for the Pacific Coast Salmon fishing season were also behind schedule due to disruptions at the Fishery Management Council meeting.

Rebecca Howard was working as a fish scientist at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, conducting population surveys for shellfish, pollock, cod, and groundfish. On February 27, she was terminated from her position. Data helps set crab and fish quotas for a sustainable catch.

These stock assessments are crucial for fishermen such as Christopher Willi. He said that fishermen are unable to regulate themselves.

Willi, who is a restaurant owner and charter fishing guide on Block Island off the coast Rhode Island, said, "You have to get the federal government involved." If these quotas and stock assessments aren't monitored and regulated by NOAA with stock assessments, it will become a free for all and existing stocks will be depleted.

(source: Reuters)