Pai Says FCC Must Take Tough Stance on Improper Use of Marine Safety Band
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai told all three members of the Alaska congressional delegation the agency has to take a hard line when “fishermen” use noncompliant RF devices in the 156.775-162.025 MHz band “to mark and track fishing nets.” The three…
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raised concerns in a Jan. 15 letter to Pai. “Fishermen in Alaska are now facing incredibly steep fines for utilizing an effective technology that supports safety at sea, improves tracking and retention of deployed gear, and prevents gear loss that might unintentionally place unsustainable fishing pressure on our valued stocks,” they said. The band is “actively monitored by the U.S. Coast Guard for marine navigation safety communications such as locating ships and persons in distress.” Pai responded in a letter posted Tuesday. Non-safety use of the band “could impede the Coast Guard's ability to carry out its mission of aiding ships in distress -- an outcome no one desires,” he said. The ITU is examining other uses of the band, but “that proceeding has not yet concluded, and as a result, the FCC has not made additional authorizations at this time,” Pai said.