September 21, 2017 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Documents filed in federal court Monday reveal that a local buyer has been identified for Carlos Rafael’s fishing permits. The potential deal would remove Rafael from commercial fishing, according to a 14-page document filed by Rafael’s attorneys opposing federal forfeiture.
The single buyer is identified as having “a spotless compliance record” to purchase at least the 13 groundfish permits and vessels. The document is unclear if Rafael’s additional permits and vessels, estimated to be at least 35 in total, are included in negotiations. However, it states, “Rafael has taken substantial steps to voluntarily remove himself from the federal fishery entirely in a manner that does not jeopardize New Bedford’s economy.”
The document appraises the 13 groundfish permits, related to Rafael’s illegal reporting guilty plea in March, as worth more than $30 million. Rafael’s ownership, excluding other business partners’ shares, amounts to more than $19 million. The purchase price for the identified buyer is $16,333,558, according to the document.
In contacting a number of sources within the fishing industry Wednesday, The Standard-Times found no evidence that this deal had been completed. Rafael is scheduled to appear Monday and Tuesday for sentencing in U.S. District Court in Boston.
Two prominent businesses in New Bedford possess the means to acquire the permits based on financial means and ability to operate a fleet of that size: Whaling City Seafood Display Auction and Eastern Fisheries. Neither returned requests for comment.