Division Of Marine Fisheries News

A new model, developed by economists at Duke University and the University of Connecticut, which resulted from identifying efficient fishing practices and behaviors, may help fishermen earn larger paychecks while reducing the risk of fishery depletion. “We’re not talking about a trivial improvement. In some cases, we found that identifying the most efficient practices led to a 20 percent annual increase in total revenues if the fishery is managed differently,” said Martin D. Smith, professor of environmental economics at Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment. “Under perfect conditions, you could see up to a 49 percent increase in profits on average,” he said.

April 27, 2004, marks one year since the Bouchard tank barge B. No. 120 ran aground and spilled approximately 55,000 gallons of Number 6 fuel oil in Buzzards Bay. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office (MSO) Providence has been working with several of its partners the past year to clean up the spill and to implement changes that can help prevent a similar disaster in the future. To date, more than $40 million has been spent on cleanup efforts. 99.8 percent of the shoreline areas that were oiled as a result of the spill have been cleaned, inspected by a combined team representing federal, state, local, and responsible party representatives, and found to meet the cleanup criteria under Massachusetts state law.

On Sunday, April 27, 2003 a barge carrying oil sustained a 12-foot gash, releasing approximately 15,000 gallons of #6 fuel oil to Buzzards Bay. Personnel from the Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup, the Massachusetts Environmental Management Agency, the Division of Marine Fisheries, NOAA, the Coast Guard, and EPA responded to this spill. Absorbent booms were placed around the barge to contain the oil after the initial release. On Monday, April 28, the oil had reached the western shoreline; crews were dispatched to begin the shoreline assessment and cleanup.