February 9, 2018 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — William Keating left a meeting with NOAA’s new regional administrator feeling optimistic regarding the agency’s stance on Sector IX.
The U.S. House member representing New Bedford met Tuesday night with Michael Pentony, who replaced John Bullard at NOAA and began his new role two weeks ago. Keating wanted to discuss the groundfishing ban that’s holding about 80 New Bedford fishermen off the water.
“What can I do to get people back fishing as quickly as possible?” Keating said. “That is creating my strong feelings of urgency around resolving the operations plan. That has to be done to go forward. NOAA is very clear about that.”
Neither NOAA nor Pentony would comment on the groundfishing ban placed on Sector IX.
However, Pentony also left the introduction with Keating with a feeling of optimism.
″(It was) very positive,” Pentony said. “I’m looking forward to continuing to work with the Congressman and his staff.”
Keating said his office remains in contact with NOAA on a weekly basis. The dialogue first began last spring.
The urgency, from Keating’s perspective results from the belief that the groundfishing ban established last November affects more than New Bedford.
As the most valuable fishing port in the country 17 years running, any splash in New Bedford ripples throughout Massachusetts, Keating said.
“It’s not only for our city, not only for our region, but for Massachusetts as a whole,” Keating said. “Having this cohesive industry situated the way that it is and the growth that can come from that … that is important in terms of the economic side that should be factored in.”
Because of its widespread effect on the state, Keating said he’s working with U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey on urging an immediate solution.
Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times