Richie Canastra, owner of the New Bedford Seafood Auction, along with Frank were pleased that Lang brought up the subject of cases that are not yet included in the review process. Frank followed up on the matter, and Locke agreed to consider widening the net of the inquiry.
"It was really nice to hear that the mayor ask about older cases, because a lot of fishermen didn't realize that the IG was doing this investigation," Canastra said.
Straus said he was impressed with Locke's knowledge of the fishing industry and command of its vocabulary. "Never once did I see him look to an assistant or aide for help," he said.
"The good fortune we have is that this guy was the governor of a state (Washington) with an active fishing industry only about a year ago," Straus said. "The terminology of the way the commercial fleet operates is very familiar to him. And as a former prosecutor he didn't hesitate from engaging."
"The most significant thing about the meeting is that we now have the secretary of commerce personally engaged," Straus said.
Read the complete story from The South Coast Today.