SCITUATE, Mass. — September 8, 2012 — ompetition with larger fishing vessels, catch shares and restrictions, even natural predators were some of the issues brought up by South Shore fishermen during an open forum with new NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Fisheries Service’s Northeast Regional Administrator John Bullard.
The purpose of the Aug. 23 event, held at the NOAA Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary headquarters in Scituate, was for Bullard to gain insight into concerns facing local fishermen.
“I’m here to learn about fishing from you guys,” said Bullard, a native of New Bedford.
Bullard, who has been in his present position since Aug. 6, said he is going up and down the New England coast holding informational sessions with fishermen so he can understand what he should be focusing on.
“Fishing is really complicated in many ways,” he said. “Every issue you get into connects to every other issue. There are a lot of people looking over your shoulder.”
He said early on that he is expecting his is not going to be an easy job. “We need fish and fisheries every day, some days we’re hanging on by our fingernails.”
Read the full story at the Scituate Mariner.