August 20, 2019 — The following was released by The Office of Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA):
United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released the following statement today following news that the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has reached a settlement of the civil case against Carlos Rafael:
“The U.S. Department of Commerce and the NOAA should do everything in their power to ensure that all of the fishing permits Carlos Rafael held remain in the Port of New Bedford. These permits sustain an industry that has been part of the fabric and the way of life in New Bedford for hundreds of years. Law-abiding fishing families and businesses have already suffered through no fault of their own, and don’t deserve to have their livelihoods taken away because of Rafael’s wrongdoing.”
Last October, Senator Warren sent a letter to the Commerce Department and NOAA urging them to keep the fishing permits in the hands of Massachusetts families and businesses.