Bowing to industry and a brace of political pressure from New Bedford City Hall to Congress to the governor's office, the chairman of New England's federal fishery policy-making council yesterday agreed to reopen debate on conservative scallop catch limits whose necessity was disputed.
John Pappalardo announced the decision in a statement released just before 4 p.m. by the New England Fishery Management Council, of which he is chairman.
"I believe this (to be) a constructive means to move forward and preserves the integrity of the fishery management process while creating an important opportunity for public participation and input," Pappalardo said in the release. "I believe this solution satisfies both the council process and the scallop industry."
Council spokeswoman Patricia Fiorelli said Pappalardo would not field any questions, and did not intend to speak to the press.
New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang did, and told the Times he considered the decision "an appropriate way to deal with this crisis."
"But the fact of the matter is the system is broken," he added. "This issue should never have occurred." The initial decision, he said, represented a "breach of trust."
Read the Gloucester Daily Times story in full