July 16, 2018 — The following was released by the Office of State Senator Bruce Tarr:
Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr today successfully championed the adoption of a legislative proposal to stimulate and support an expansion of fishing and farming in Massachusetts. The Gloucester Republican obtained support from his Senate collogues in adding the measure as an amendment to the Senate’s environmental bond bill.
The amendment supports two major food producing industries by creating two innovation funds, one for fishing the other for agriculture, and each is designed to foster economic growth and sustainability by prioritizing the awarding of grants and technical assistance to fuel energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, expand sustainable practices, promote access to safety equipment, stimulate research and development, and make greater use of local food processing.
“All across our Commonwealth we are seeing a rise in interest in conserving and protecting our natural resources,” said Tarr. “The professionals that we rely on to harvest and produce our food need our assistance more than ever. We can help these businesses to survive while creating sustainable environments for them to grow.”
The bill establishes funding mechanisms which will distribute grants to support farming and commercial fisheries in order that they may accelerate the direct application of recent advances in technology, food processing techniques, and changing market conditions.
“I want to thank Senator Tarr and my colleagues in the Senate for their hard work on this important issue,” said Senator Vinny deMacedo (R-Plymouth). “I represent many coastal communities who rely not only on our fishing industry as an economic engine but are also the home of many cranberry growers who have provided food and stability for our Commonwealth over many generations. I look forward to continuing to work with them to support and encourage the growth and prosperity of their industry.”
“Hardworking fishermen and farmers have played a pivotal role in our economy for generations,” said Rules Chairman Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford). “I am pleased to join Senator Tarr on this bipartisan effort to better support our local fishing and agricultural industries so that they may continue to strengthen our economy in the face of increasing pressure and burdensome regulations.”
Each fund will be supported by an advisory committee appointed by Governor Charlie Baker and comprised of experts and industry leaders from diverse geographic locations and industry perspectives. The Commercial Fishing Advisory Committee will include experts in marine sciences and will include representatives who fish with different gear types including trawls, hooks, gillnets, and traps; the panel will be led by the Director of the Division of Marine Fisheries.
“For centuries, our economy has relied upon productive use of agriculture and the harvesting of food from the ocean,” said Senator Michael Rodrigues (D-Westport). “The men and women who engage in these occupations work hard and what they do makes a difference to all of us who want the freshest and best food available. Now we can support their efforts by helping keep their equipment and processes safe, efficient and productive.”
A 13 member panel of farmers representing horticulture, crop raising, cranberry growing, dairy farming, and the livestock raising sectors of the state will be supported by the Department of Agricultural Resources under provisions of the bill.
“We lead the nation in public and private marine research and our contributions to the country’s agricultural heritage are renowned; it’s vital that we support these industries, which go all the way back to our colonial history,” said Tarr. “Farmers and fishermen work hard, we should support them with and by connecting them with resources to help them prosper and grow.”
According to a report by UMass Dartmouth, the state’s maritime economy is responsible for more than 90,000 jobs. The report points to the need for infrastructure improvement to expand capacity and growth. With 2,000 miles of coastline, annual sales of fish and other seafood in Massachusetts top more than $2 Billion.
The state also claims more than 8,000 farms which produce more than 16,000 jobs. Agricultural activity ranging from dairy farming, cranberry growing, fruit and vegetable farming, and raising livestock and poultry take place over hundreds of thousands of acres requiring vast resources to operate efficiently and effectively.