NEW BEDFORD — Gov. Deval Patrick was back in town Monday, this time to tour the New Bedford seafood display auction, offer another pledge of solidarity with the beleaguered groundfish fleet and confirm the possibility that the state will join the city's lawsuit against federal fishing regulators.
As a crew of lumpers offloaded haddock from the Jason & Danielle, out of Montauk, N.Y., Patrick clambered to the deck of the dragger for a guided tour.
But the governor had no fresh news either way for the local fishermen, who have been working under Amendment 16 restructuring since May 1.
Asked whether he would like the state to join in the city's federal lawsuit against National Oceanic and Atmoshpheric Administration, Patrick told The Standard-Times, "That's (Attorney General) Martha Coakley's decision."
He said that he has discussed it with her, and that "I think it's a good idea."
Read the complete story at The South Coast Today.