Working to Preserve the Fishing Industry

On Friday, January 16th, I participated in a joint meeting with Gloucester’s City Council and the city’s Fisheries Commission to discuss the current state and the future of the fishing industry. The meeting, which was held in Kyrouz Auditorium at City Hall, included fishermen; shoreside business operators; and city, state, and federal officials. It was a diverse crowd of stakeholders that provided a tremendous amount of expertise and experience in assessing Gloucester’s fisheries.

The meeting was broken into two segments that focused on short term fixes to preserve the existing infrastructure, and long term fixes to ensure the inshore fleet and shoreside businesses thrive. Essentially, we all agreed at some level that the science in assessing the fish stock is flawed. NOAA Regional Administrator John Bullard also stated that NOAA needs to work better with fish stakeholders in communicating information regarding the industry.

During the meeting I reported on our accomplishments over the past year and the progress of other measures. They include:

Accomplishments:

·          The passage of a Seafood Marketing Bill;

·          Ch. 91 flexibility for Cape Pond Ice; and

·          Budget/economic development bill money for waterfront properties and CDC’s.

Working on:

·          Comprehensive and collaborative science effort;

·          Access to capital to rebuild wharves, piers, and infrastructure;

·         Tax relief for fishing vessels/gear; and

·         Lobster processing flexibility.

It is my hope, that as a group, we continue to work together to fight for an industry that has meant so much to the identity of Gloucester and the State of Massachusetts.

To read a more in-depth summary of the meeting, please click here to view a Gloucester Daily times report.

 

 

New England Commercial Fisheries to Receive Federal Aid

Today I released the following statement regarding the announcement that the New England commercial fisheries will receive almost $33 million in fisheries disaster relief aid:

                “Our commercial fishing industry is facing a prolonged crisis that threatens its very survival, and these funds represent a critical lifeline for fishing families and ports.  Although the amount is modest in the context of the threat, it does represent recognition by the federal government of its obligation to provide resources in the face of this dilemma.  Now, the funds need to get to the people who need them without delay, without being sacrificed to the costs of overhead and bureaucracy, and without a mistaken belief that they will solve the problems the industry faces.

                Hopefully, with these funds at work to prevent immediate extinction of commercial fishing in Massachusetts and New England, we can use the time they buy to chart a course for better management, and a groundfishery that can survive now and prosper in the days ahead.”

Please click here to read New Bedford Stand Times Reporter Steve Urbon’s latest report on the fisheries disaster relief money.

Statement on federal fisheries disaster aid, DMF public meeting on preserving groundfish industry

Yesterday I released the following statement, regarding the U.S. House’s passage of $75 million in fisheries disaster aid as part of the Fiscal Year 2014 federal appropriations bill, and the announcement by the Division of Marine Fisheries that it will be holding the first of at least three public meetings on protecting and preserving the groundfish industry at its Gloucester office on January 27^th:

“Now that funding for the fishing industry is on the fast track in Washington, it’s critical that we lay the groundwork for its effective use in Massachusetts to keep the industry alive through this ongoing crisis.  The meetings being conducted by DMF will be a prime opportunity to get that process started by building the consensus that can only come from focused and candid conversations with the people, businesses and organizations that are at risk.

I am pleased that DMF is responding promptly to the request that I have made with Representative Ferrante to get this discussion underway.  We need to make sure that money is being spent to meet the needs of fishing families and ports and not any particular bureaucracy or collateral interest.”
           

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Fighting for Our Fishermen

On Monday, I attended a special information session regarding the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act that was held at the Massachusetts State House.  Fishermen, legislative leaders, and industry experts provided compelling testimony that the current system is an example of archaic and arbitrary rules and regulations that have provided few benefits and great hardships at the expense of a once thriving fishing industry.

For years I have advocated for better science to assess the fish stocks off the Atlantic Coast.  The current fish assessment measures are antiquated, and do not provide an accurate description of the groundfish populations.  Yesterday’s session afforded fishing advocates a great opportunity to present their argument to Chairman Mark Beglich (D-Alaska), the Chair of the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard.

I am extremely thankful for the Chairman taking the time to visit Massachusetts and hear from the people who are affected by the regulations governing the fishing industry.  I would also like to thank U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren for coordinating the hearing.  Also in attendance were U.S. Senator Ed Markey, Congressmen John Tierney, and Congressman Bill Keating. With the help of fishermen, fishing advocates, federal officials, and state officials working together, it is my hope we can enact real change for effective measures and controls that foster responsible ways of sustaining fish populations.

Please click here to read Gloucester Daily Times Reporter Sean Horgan’s report regarding the information session.

Fighting for Our Fishermen

Today I distributed the following press release:

Tarr, Ferrante Secure Major Fish Amendments to FY’14 State Budget
 

Measures Will Boost Fishing Industry, Provide Invaluable Science and Research

Boston- The $34 billion Fiscal Year 2014 State Budget approved by the legislature Monday, July 1^st contains valuable measures to boost the Commonwealth’s commercial fisheries that were secured through the efforts of Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) and State Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester) with several key legislative colleagues.

            Among the measures contained in the budget sent to Governor Patrick this week is an important change to state laws that would allow Massachusetts dealers to process and sell shell-on lobster tails, a practice currently prohibited and putting the Massachusetts lobster industry at a severe competitive disadvantage.  Senator Tarr joined with Senator Dan Wolf (D-Harwich) in amending the Senate Ways and Means version of the FY’14 State Budget to expand the Commonwealth’s lobster industry.  Changing the law will allow the state’s harvesters, processors, and dealers to capture markets now being lost to competitors from places like Maine and the Canadian maritime.

            “Opening the door to the global market for lobster tails will give the Massachusetts lobster industry a level playing field with major competitors, and create a major opportunity for those who depend on this important fishery,” said Senator Tarr.

            “This is an important step that can benefit lobstermen keeping them competitive in the global economy,” said Representative Ferrante, who supported a similar lobster tail proposal offered by Representative William Strauss (D- Mattapoisett) and Representative Sarah Peake (D-Provincetown) during the House budget debate in April.

            A second important amendment secured by Tarr and Ferrante in the budget provides funding for critical research to identify, sequence, and catalog the genome for cod fish by Gloucester Genomics Initiative.  Understanding the genetic code of individual species of cod and other groundfish will allow better science to be developed to regulate those species, and to combat crushing federal regulations that are devastating the New England groundfish industry.

            “This genomic research has the power to transform fisheries science and to replace uncertainty and speculation with facts and a common understanding.  That understanding will cause reasonable regulations to be developed to ensure that stocks are rebuilt and the industry can survive,” said Senator Tarr.

            “This research has the potential to answer an important question to fisheries management: whether the stocks, such as Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank cod, are interrelated or all one species. The answers to this question could greatly impact the future of fisheries management,” said Representative Ferrante.

Another measure sponsored by Senator Tarr and Representative Ferrante creates a plan to use sonar and other advanced technologies to accurately measure the biomass of stocks such as cod and Yellowtail Flounder, which are being used as barometer stocks in the newest federal fishing regulations that took effect on May 1 and call for reductions in catch of as much as 77%.  The state budget funds the implementation of the plan at $75,000.

“Putting sonar technology to work will provide us with a clear picture of the size and location of the groundfish stocks that our commercial fishing industry depends on, and thus drive better, more practical and productive regulations to manage those stocks,” said Senator Tarr.

“It’s about time we include cutting edge technology to enhance arcane technology in measuring fish stocks. My hope is that NOAA science will work with the Commonwealth to provide the best information for small businesses affected by their regulations and decisions,” said Ferrante.

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Fighting for Our Fishermen

     Yesterday on the Boston Fish Pier, I joined with Attorney General Martha Coakley in announcing that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has filed a complaint against the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), federal officials, and regulators for recently implementing a 77% reduction of allowable catches of groundfish species such as cod.

     The suit claims that Frameworks 48 and 50 is in violation of the Magnuson-Stevens Act on several grounds, which include:

·         Failing to achieve optimum yield from the New England groundfish fisheries;

·         Dictating conservation and management measures that are not based on the best scientific information available;

·         Failing to meaningfully take into account the importance of fishery resources to fishing communities; and

·         Refusing to meaningfully provide for the sustained participation of, or to minimize the adverse effects upon, those fishing communities.

     I have been fighting these issues for several years.  Unfortunately federal regulators continue to use antiquated measuring tools to justify their heavy handed reductions of fish stocks.  The groundfish commercial fishery is struggling desperately to stay afloat, and a victory within the courts would provide a significant lifeline to those who depend on our oceans to make a living.

     Posted below are several photos taken during yesterday's announcement.  To read more about Attorney General Coakley’s suit, please click here.
 

Pushing Fish Aid in FY’14 State Budget

Posted below is a press release I sent out to the media today:

Tarr Pushing Fish Aid in FY’14 State Budget

State Must Assist in Preventing Industry from Total Collapse

Boston- In response to the ongoing struggle that groundfishermen have been forced to endure because of the draconian federal regulations they have to adhere to, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) has filed several amendments to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means FY’14 budget proposal to provide relief and support to the industry.

            “We are now in the 11th hour in trying to keep fishermen, shoreside businesses, and their families afloat while federal regulators continue down a path of destruction to the industry as we know it,” said Senator Tarr. “This state should do everything in its power to provide the lifeline desperately deserved and needed to prevent the industry from collapsing forever.”

            The amendments filed by Sen. Tarr would assist fishing ports to develop recovery and revitalization plans, scientific research studies and testings, and broaden health insurance benefits to more fishermen and their families.  The amendments are:

•           Amendment #167 would provide grants to fishing ports to develop recovery and revitalization plans to increase economic viability for host communities.

•           Amendment #168 would enable the Division of Marine Fisheries Institute and the School for Marine Science and Technology at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth to conduct a sonar groundfish species assessment study in the northwest Atlantic Ocean.

•           Amendment #169 would allow for the development and implementation of a cod species identification sequencing study to be conducted by the Gloucester Marine Genome Initiative.

•           Amendment #190 would allow the Large Pelagics Research Center at Hodgkins Cove on Giant Atlantic Bluefin Tuna to conduct research to support that fishery.

•           Amendment #519 would create a “Dockside Testing Trust Fund” to be administered by the Department of Public Health to expand testing of shellfish harvested on George’s Bank, allowing an expansion of harvesting opportunities.

•           Amendment #621 would allow individuals who received more than 50% of their income from commercial groundfishing to potentially become eligible to receive MassHealth benefits.

“Only with sound research can the state compel the federal government and those who implement these extremely restrictive regulations with the necessary evidence to prove that both the industry and groundfish stocks can co-exist,” said Senator Tarr.

Along with sponsoring those amendments, Senator Tarr is also a co-sponsor to Senator Dan Wolf’s amendment #36 that would open and regulate Massachusetts dealers of lobster tail to purchasers within the state as long as the lobster tails weigh at least 3 oz. and are not egg bearing.

“Our state needs to stand up and produce the science and factual information to make a compelling case that current federal regulations will cause disaster for our groundfishing industry that could be avoided by a more prudent and reasonable course of action.  And, we need to support the industry so it can survive while we make that case.”

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 * Click “Read More” to read the actual text of the language of the amendments that I filed.

ENV 167 Grants for Fishing Port Recovery Plans

Mr. Tarr moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 2300-0100, by inserting at the end thereof the following:-

; provided, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended for grants to fishing ports to develop recovery and revitalization plans in response to federal groundfish regulations that took effect on May 1, 2013; provided further, that the division shall issue requests for proposals from affected ports not later than 60 days following the passage of this act and shall award such grants in a timely fashion; provided further, that all affected ports may submit individual plans or multiple ports may submit a regional plan; provided further, that all plans so developed shall be submitted to the director of the division, the secretary of the executive office of energy and environmental affairs, the secretary of the executive office of housing and economic development, and the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate not later than 180 days following the passage of this act

ENV 168 FISHERIES RESEARCH

Mr. Tarr moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 2330-0100, by inserting at the end thereof the following:-

"provided further, that no less than $350,000 be expended for a program of collaborative research by the Division of Marine Fisheries through the Marine Fisheries Institute, in collaboration with the School for Marine Science and Technology at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, that applies innovative sonar and other technology to assess the biomass of groundfish in the northwest Atlantic Ocean, including cod and yellowtail flounder in the region managed by the New England Fishery Management Council; provided further, that to the maximum feasible extent, such program shall involve commercial fish harvesters in the commonwealth; provided, that the university shall report on the status of the research project to the house and senate committees on ways and means on or before December 31, 2013"

ENV 169 GLOUCESTER MARINE GENOME INITIATIVE

Mr. Tarr moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 2330-0100, by inserting at the end thereof the following:-

"provided further, that no less than $200,000 shall be expended for the development and implementation of a cod species identification sequencing study to be conducted by the Gloucester Marine Genome Initiative; and provided further, that the Gloucester Marine Genome Initiative shall report on the status of the project to the house and senate committees on ways and means on or before June 30, 2014"

ENV 190 LARGE PELAGICS RESEARCH

Mr. Tarr moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 2310-0200, by inserting after the words “fisheries and wildlife research” the following words:-

“including research performed at the Large Pelagics Research Center at Hodgkins Cove on giant Atlantic Bluefin Tuna and other species”

EHS 519 Dockside Testing Trust Fund

Mr. Tarr moved that the bill be amended by inserting, after section __, the following new section:-

Section 2 of chapter 29 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following new section:

- Section _____. There shall be established upon the books of the commonwealth a separate fund to be known as the Dockside Testing Trust Fund to be expended, without prior appropriation, by the department of public health. The fund shall consist of fees collected from harvesters of molluscan shellfish on Georges Bank, in waters that are not monitored for the presence of paralytic shellfish toxin, in the amount of thirty-five thousand dollars per vessel that harvests in said waters. The commissioner shall make necessary expenditures from this account for the administrative costs of the operations and programs of the department related to regulating and monitoring the shellfish harvesters, including the testing of the shellfish as necessary to ensure that they are safe for human consumption. The department may incur expenses, and the comptroller may certify for payment, amounts in anticipation of expected receipts, but no expenditure shall be made from the fund that would cause the fund to be in deficit at the close of a fiscal year. Moneys deposited in the fund that are unexpended at the end of the fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund. The department shall use amounts in said fund for the aforesaid purposes and for no other.

EHS 621 Fishing Family Insurance

Mr. Tarr moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 4000-1405, by inserting, after the word “basis” in line 10 thereof, the following:-

“provided further that individuals deriving more than 50% of their income from commercial groundfishing and affected by the regulatory changes taking effect on May 1, 2013 may be eligible to receive benefits from this item"

Statement on NEFMC’s Vote to Drastically Reduce the Catching of Cod Fish

Today I released the following statement regarding yesterday’s vote made by the New England Fisheries Management Council to reduce the available catch of Gulf of Maine Cod by77% to 1,506 metric tons and George’s Bank Cod by 61% to 2,506 metric tons:

“Yesterday’s vote by the New England Fisheries Management Council is devastating news for fishing ports and fishing families throughout Massachusetts and our region.  The impending socio-economic devastation demands that public officials and industry stakeholders work together as never before to bring innovation, flexibility and leadership to the table, and to find ways to keep the fishing industry alive through these perilous times.

We cannot allow New England’s domestic fish harvesting capacity to disappear, and I am calling on my colleagues in government and those in the industry to rise to the challenge before us of ensuring the survival of an industry that feeds our country with a precious catch every day.”

Seeking Aid for Our Fishermen

Today I sent a letter to Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives John Boehner urging him to support any measure that would provide the fishing industry with monetary assistance.  Currently, the House is debating a disaster appropriations act, however, the House Committee on Rules struck down several amendments that would have provided the fishing industry with as much as $150 million of aid.

With a decrease in allowable catches of certain groundfish looming, the situation in Gloucester and fishing ports up and down the Northeast Coast is dire, and while some of our elected officials are working hard, without the cooperation of all our federal elected leaders, the fishing industry will cease to exist as we know it, putting the livelihoods of our fishermen, their families and shoreside business owners in jeopardy.

Posted below is the letter to Speaker Boehner and a press release I sent to the local media.

Letter to Speaker Boehner regarding monetary aid for the fishing industry by Troy Wall

Tarr Urges Speaker Boehner to Support FIshing Industry with Disaster Relief Money by Troy Wall

Discussing the Fishing Industry on Greater Boston

Last night State Representative Anne-Margaret Ferrante, MassINC Polling Group's Steve Koczela and I were guests on WGBH-TV’s “Greater Boston” with host Emily Rooney. We discussed the U.S. Senate race here in Massachusetts and what the outcome could mean for the fishing industry. To view yesterday’s broadcast please click here.

Media Alert: On the Air with Emily Rooney

Tonight I will be appearing on WGBH-TV’s “Greater Boston” with host Emily Rooney to discuss the U.S. Senate race here in Massachusetts and what it could mean for the fishing industry.

Please tune in to Channel 2 tonight at 7:00pm to watch what will surely be a lively discussion. Greater Boston also re-airs at midnight.

Celebrating Ocean Culture in New Bedford

For the 9th year in a row the Working Waterfront Festival in New Bedford was a huge success. This past weekend’s festival brought droves of fishermen and their families, seaside businesses, school children, ocean enthusiasts and seafood lovers across New England together to enjoy a closer look at the “life on the water” culture. Musical acts, poets, and entertainers from near and far joined with local fishermen and organizations to showcase this year’s theme “Fishtales: Fact, Fiction and Narrative Tradition.”

The free and open to the public festival, located at the State Fish Pier, the Steamship Pier and Fishermen’s Wharf off of MacArthur Drive, offered event goers the opportunity to witness whale boat racing, cooking demonstrations, and even a touch tank provided by Ellen Goethal of Explore the Ocean World. At approximately 1:00pm on Sunday the Very Rev. Constantine S. Bebis of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Dartmouth provided the 43rd blessing of the fleet ceremony.

I was happy to not only show my support for the fishing industry but to also participate as a member of the Northeast Seafood Coalition. It was a pleasure to be there, and I look forward to next year’s event. Please click here to learn more about the Working Waterfront Festival in New Bedford. Posted below are a few photos that I took on Sunday.

One the Air with NECN

On Sunday I was interviewed by NECN Reporter John Moroney at the State Fish Pier in Gloucester, MA about the early forecasts suggesting that there will be deep cuts to the groundfish fishing quotas for next year. This is extremely troubling, especially for the City of Gloucester, which has already lost a significant number of boats to its groundfishing fleet.

Please click here to read a recent article by Gloucester Daily Times Reporter Richard Gaines that documents the issue. To view Sunday’s report please click here.

Calling for Accountability

Yesterday I joined in support of U.S. Senator Scott Brown’s request to the President for the immediate removal of Jane Lubchenco, the Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. The continued mismanagement of the groundfish fishery by federal regulators has hurt fishermen, their families and seaside businesses. In order to get the industry to a healthy state, action must be taken to begin to correct some of the past transgressions by NOAA policymakers and enforcement officials.

Below is a video taken at yesterday’s press conference called by Senator Brown, and a report by the Gloucester Daily Times.





Brown, In Gloucester Calls for President to Fire NOAA...GloucesterTimes

Shedding Light on the Oversight of the Fishing Industry

Today U.S. Senators Scott Brown (R-MA) and John Kerry (D-MA) hosted a field hearing with Chairman Begich (D-AK) of the United States Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard at the Massachusetts State House. The well attended hearing focused on the federal government’s oversight of the New England fishing industry.

Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere Jane Lubchenco provided testimony and was questioned by the panel, which also included Massachusetts Representatives John Tierney, Barney Frank and William Keating, on the agency’s stance on catch limits, catch shares, enforcement tactics, and abuse of powers. Other thoughtful testimony was received from University of Massachusetts Dartmouth marine scientist Brian Rothschild, and Director Paul Diodati of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries.

The hearing represented an important step in correcting significant problems with the federal management of fisheries in the Northeast, with a focus on groundfish.

Please tune in to tonight’s evening news broadcasts to see highlights of the hearing. Below are some photos taken at today’s hearing.

A Productive Hearing

Yesterday the Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security Subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs conducted a hearing on federal fisheries management issues at Faneuil Hall in Boston. The hearing was arranged by Senator Scott Brown, and was chaired by Senator Tom Carper of Delaware. Throughout the hearing Senator Brown asked important questions about why fishermen have been victimized by fisheries enforcement officials and why the misspending of improperly imposed fines was sanctioned by those same officials. I was pleased to be able to attend the hearing, which was an important step in identifying some serious improprieties in the way our fisheries are managed and the action steps needed to get back on a course of fair treatment for fishing families and a regulatory framework that rebuilds stocks while allowing sustainable harvests of fish to benefit our nation.

Thanks to Senator Brown for his strong leadership on behalf of those who risk their lives at sea to bring fish to consumers.

Stories about the hearing from the Gloucester Daily Times and the Boston Globe are posted below.

Gloucester Daily Times What Does It Take to Get Fired Senator Asks

Globe...Senators Told That Fines Hit Fishermen Unfairly

U.S. Senator Brown Comes to Gloucester

On Saturday, February 12th, U.S. Senator Scott Brown came to Gloucester to meet with local leaders, seaside business owners and fishermen regarding his recently filed FISH (Fishery Impact Statement Honesty) Act of 2011. If passed, the bill would create an independent oversight process to review fishery regulations created by NOAA and the United States Commerce Department. New regulations have been particularly harmful to the livelihood of the industry and this process would require NOAA to implement a plan for corrective measures to ensure the success and viability of the industry while rebuilding stocks.

An independent review process would not only provide an honest analysis of the impacts of management measures on the fishing industry, but would also generate the much needed transparency and integrity that federal regulators have lost.

Below are a few photos from Saturday’s event.

State Senator Bruce Tarr (far left) and Scott Memhard (far right) provide U.S. Senator Scott Brown (center) a tour of Cape Pond Ice.

U.S. Senator Scott Brown (left) talks with fisherman Joe Orlando (center) and State Senator Bruce Tarr (far right) while receiving a tour of Gloucester's inner harbour.

U.S. Senator Scott Brown (far left) discusses with fisherman Joe Orlando (far right) and State Senator Bruce Tarr (center) about the struggles of the fishing industry aboard the fishing vessel Pablo Pia.

Mayor Kirk of Gloucester (far left) discusses with U.S. Senator Scott Brown (center) and State Senator Bruce Tarr (far right) the effects fishery regulations have had on the city aboard the fishing vessel Pablo Pia.

U.S. Senator Scott Brown (center) tours the Gloucester Seafood Display Auction with owner Larry Ciulla (far right), Mayor Kirk, State Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante, andState Senator Bruce Tarr.

U.S. Senator Scott Brown discusses with State Senator Bruce Tarr, fishermen, fishing advocates and stakeholders about his recently filed FISH Act of 2011.

Disappointing News From NOAA

Below is a letter from NOAA’s Assistant Administrator for Fisheries Eric Schwaab to Governor Patrick regarding the federal government’s decision to not act on behalf of New England’s fishing communities.

Jan 7 Schwaab to Patrick

NOAA’s refusal to act on behalf of sustaining our fishing families and reconciling the science of fisheries management with practical reality is deeply troubling. This type of blind adherence to the status quo that leaves fish in the ocean that could be sustainably caught and insulates bureaucratic protocols by putting them beyond the reach of reasonable change is characteristic of the problems that have brought fisheries management in New England to a point of dysfunction and our fishing communities to a sense of desperation.

I urge Governor Patrick and our federal legislative delegation to take every available action to confront this decision and reverse it, and I pledge my efforts to support that course of action.

Fish Talk with Bridgewater State University

Among the many tremendous resources at Bridgewater State University is the Moakley Center for Technological Applications. Recently I had the opportunity to appear on the center’s well-known talk show, “Commonwealth Politics”, to discuss the many problems our commercial fishing industry is facing because of federal management issues, with New Bedford State Representative John Quinn and hosts Dr. Michael Kryzanek and Dr. Mark Kemper.

A Fisherman’s Perspective

Corrado Buccheri of Gloucester is a respected member of the commercial fishing community who owns multiple fishing vessels and a gear shop. Recently, he penned a brief history from his perspective of the problems the industry is facing and the bureaucratic procedures that got us to this point of crisis. His words are posted below, and they make some strong points worthy of consideration.


Fishery Regulations Timeline