Washington, D.C. – April 12, 2010 -- The Fisheries Survival Fund (FSF) praised Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick for his strong support of scallop fishermen and their families. Governor Patrick was honored by FSF and the scallop community on Friday, April 9 in New Bedford, where he and members of his administration were joined by local elected officials, including New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang, to participate also in a roundtable discussion with scallopers.

 “We are deeply pleased and thankful that Governor Patrick was able to visit with scallop fishermen and their families,” said John Murray, scallop boat owner and chair of the Fisheries Survival Fund. “Because of his leadership and dedicated efforts, the future looks much better for the Atlantic sea scallop fishery.”

 “Scalloping, like the fishing industry as a whole, is vital to Massachusetts – it supports countless families and communities across our Commonwealth,” said Governor Patrick. “I will continue to stand up for the people who make their livelihoods at sea.”

 In January, as a result of efforts by Governor Patrick and others, the New England Fishery Management Council decided to reconsider its decision to restrict fishing opportunities for the Atlantic sea scallop fishery in 2010. The reversal spared fishermen and fishing communities, such as New Bedford and others like it from Maine to North Carolina, from well over well over $100 million in losses.

 The Governor began the visit by hearing from representatives of the scallop community and local elected officials, including New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang, about the importance of the Council’s reversal decision, and the opportunities and challenges facing the scallop fishery in the future. Afterward, he joined the fishermen and officials for a close-up view of recent fishing gear advances and underwater video equipment led by gear technologist and researcher Ron Smolowitz of the Coonamessett Farm Foundation.

The gear included a chain mat and scallop dredge designed to reduce the potential for harm to sea turtles and incidental catch of other fish species, while the underwater camera equipment is designed to monitor scallop stocks and better understand and map the seafloor habitat more generally. The gear refinements were largely designed through the efforts of Smolowitz, an FSF consultant. The video equipment was designed by the University of Massachusetts School for Marine Science and Technology and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and is operated with the assistance of the scallop fishing industry.

The Fisheries Survival Fund (FSF) is the largest national organization dedicated to protecting and strengthening the nation’s Atlantic sea scallop fishery.