May 25, 2013 — Research to assess the stocks of groundfish, including yellowtail flounder and cod in the region managed by the New England Fisheries Council, will be conducted by UMass Dartmouth's School of Marine Science and Technology and the State Division of Marine Fisheries' Marine Fisheries Institute.
"In the wake of devastating new federal regulations based on faulty science, further research by recognized experts is needed to fully understand the state of our fisheries and the best methods to ensure continued vitality in fishing stocks," Montigny said.
Calling the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which regulates the fishing industry, "the enemy," Montigny said "The only way we can beat them back, the only way we can protect the industry is by getting better science and putting it right in their face."
Tucked among the 197 amendments attached to the $34 billion budget proposal approved by the state Senate late Thursday night are hundreds of thousand of dollars to benefit SouthCoast services and programs.
State Sen. Mark Montigny, D-New Bedford, said he was not only able to secure funding for several programs but, in last-minute negotiations, actually got more than he requested.
Montigny said his request for $100,000 for the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center was doubled and the $250,000 he sought for fisheries research was bumped to $350,000.
"I never feel the budget does everything it should, but I was able to do the work I know best and I'm very pleased that my efforts have benefitted many worthwhile (local) initiatives," he said.
The Zeiterion, on shaky financial footing, requested additional funding from the city and state. "This ($200,000) earmark will help to ensure that the Zeiterion continues to be a major anchor of New Bedford's burgeoning arts district," Montigny said.
Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times