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The latest information on fisheries and eco-tourism related issues. If you have a news story or a comment that you would like posted on our Industry News Page

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The information and opinions posted in this News Headlines section are not necessarily the views of the MACC Board of Directors or its Members.

New ID card on the horizon:

Homeland Security mandated TWIC ID card will cost you (licensed Captains) $132 every 5 years... By this fall the TSA will have 141 Enrollment Centers open including Portland and Bangor Maine

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Upcoming Dogfish Forum:

Saturday, March 29, 2008 at the University of New England Biddeford, Maine

Hosted by the UNE Marine Science Department

More Info:

	Meeting Notice
	Study Synopsys
	Petition and Signature Page

Upcoming MACC Show presences

	LL Bean Fishing Weekend
	SCI Banquet
	Saco Bay Tackle Fishing Night
	Augusta Sportsman's Show MACC NEWS AND ACTIONS:
	The New Meadows River bait gill net regulations that we worked to get in place in 2006 expired through a sunset clause on Dec 31st, 2007. Me DMR is proposing reinitiating this regulation with no sunset included. There will be a public hearing on January 23 at the Boothbay DMR facility. MACC will be testifying in favor of this continuation. This has been an effective spot specific regulation that should stay in effect to eliminate striped bass bycatch in the New Meadows and, as an example regulation should a similar bycatch issue develop at other places along the Maine coast in the future...

	Notice of Rule-Making Proposal
	Our Testimony (Coming soon)

River Herring

We feel that reducing the commercial harvest and bycatch of forage species is extremely important to our industry's future. Reducing the mortality of alewives and blueback herring is key to the restoration of striped bass and bluefish stocks. With the demand (and price) for lobster bait going through the roof we need to be vigilant in attempting to control the harvest of our indigenous forage stocks. As the striped bass and bluefish stocks (hopefully) increase, more forage will be required. Status quo harvest (even in the river systems that have healthy stocks) isn't good enough. We need more river herring left in our rivers rather than stuffed in 1.3 million lobster traps as bait... We also need to protect the recreational angler's right to catch and possess river herring for bait and for consumption...

	Read our Testimony
	Read the Public Information Document
	Read the Review of the Shad & River Herring Management Plan
	Public Hearing Schedule
	MACC members fill seats on both the Kennebec River Coalition and the Dept. of Conservation's Boating and Fishing Access strategic plan advisory committee.
	MACC Requests that the New Meadows River bait gill net tending regulations be reauthorized for 2 more years. This regulations has reduced striped bass bycatch mortality in unattended bait gill nets. (more to come)
	MACC signs on as a supporter of the CHOIR's effort requesting that The New England Fisheries Management Council make Atlantic Herring a Priority Species in 2008 Read our Letter to Rep. Tom Allen. Similar letters were also sent to Pat Kurkle at NEFMC and Gov. Baldacci.
	MACC comments on the need for Striped Bass bycatch data collection. The Addendum to the striped bass management plan providing for such data collection was approved in October. Read MACC's testimony
	The Maine legislature tables all action on saltwater fishing license. Read our Testimony including the results of a Fleet Survey on the issue. This issue will return in 2009 due to a looming federal mandate. Read the summary of Federal Bill causing all this to happen
	The Legislative Tax Reform Bill was defeated and will go back to the Taxation Committee. MACC requested and has received a State Attorney General ruling that states, "It would be problematic to move forward with a 5% amusement tax on chartered trips and tours on navigable waters in Maine". This issue could very well resurface in the 2nd Legislative session Read our position.

Issues such as protecting baitfish stocks, promoting the use of circle hooks, expanding gamefish status for striped bass and supporting fair recreational bag limits are all concerns of MACC.

	We advocate for the For-Hire Industry on such issues as licensing, reporting, exclusion from fishing areas, access to our public resources, waters and land.
	MACC has members on Councils and Panels in many areas of regulation and management. We also have volunteers that continually monitor all levels of management and government: ASMFC, Me. DMR, ACCSP, NEFMC, USCG, NMFS, Dept. Commerce, Me. State Legislature, and the US Congress.

	Read our Positions on Industry Issues >PDF
	Read our Mission and Purpose Statement >PDF

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