PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — New Bedford Mayor Scott W. Lang and his fishery advisory council Tuesday took their case for relief from stringent groundfishing regulations straight to the decision-makers at the New England Fishery Management Council.
The presentation, down the hotel hallway from the New England council's three-day regular meeting, attracted an audience of 75 people representing virtually all segments of the commercial fishing industry in the Northeast.
Also on hand were representatives of four U.S. senators and six congressmen from fishing states, state Sen. Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, and four members of the New Bedford City Council: Joseph Lopes, Steven Martins, Linda Morad and John Saunders.
New Bedford and Gloucester are leading the scientific, political and legal charge to persuade or force the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to raise catch limits within the scientific margin of error and stop the dismantling of the fishing industry and its infrastructure.
Most, if not all, of the NEFMC members attended to hear the city's case much as it was presented in a meeting Jan. 13 in New Bedford. The presentations arose from Commerce Secretary Gary Locke's letter to Gov. Deval Patrick that entirely rejected the governor's scientifically justified plea for increased catch limits along with economic help for struggling boat owners and their families.
The only representative of environmental groups that strongly influence fisheries policy came from the Pew Foundation, and she was briefly booed during introductions.
Read the complete story from the South Coast Today.