Congressman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) issued the following statement regarding the decision by the New England Fisheries Management Council to reverse its earlier decision on scallop fishing limits.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Barney Frank today released the following statement about the decision by the New England Fisheries Management Council to reverse an earlier decision on scallop fishing limits.
“I would like to thank the Council for revisiting and overturning the November decision. The plan they have chosen puts the limit on scallop harvests at a level that the Council’s own planned development team and science and statistical committee said is sustainable. This decision will save jobs, help the local economy, and preserve scallops as an important sustainable fishery.”
“This positive step was initiated by thousands in the scallop industry who advocated passionately on their own behalf. I appreciate their hard work and also the efforts of Governor Deval Patrick, Mayor Scott Lang, State Senator Bruce Tarr and State Representatives John Quinn and William Strauss, who fought for this fair decision. Additionally, I want to express my gratitude to all the members who signed the letter I initiated to Secretary Locke asking him to reverse the November Council decision, especially my Massachusetts colleagues, Senators Kerry and Kirk, and Congressmen John Tierney, Jim McGovern, and Mike Capuano. Finally, I wish to thank the 10 council members who supported the today’s proposal.”
Click here to read the original letter to Secretary Gary Locke.