March 31, 2017 — There was a mixture of emotions and reactions among members of the local fishing industry over the guilty plea Carlos that “The Codfather” Rafael entered in Federal Court Thursday. Some expressed a certain amount of sympathy for Rafael in the highly regulated business. Some didn’t.

This doesn’t come as a surprise,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell. Ever since Carlos’ arrest became public it was clear the government had him dead to rights.”

Mitchell, a former federal prosecutor, said that he thinks Rafael “is looking at three or four years in federal prison and to my mind he deserves it.”

“The more important question is what will happen to the permits. That determination has been left up to NOAA.”

Rafael’s fishing operation has continued under the permits, but it is possible the government will auction them off or send them out of the city in some other way, Mitchell said. He said he “pointedly” made that point with NOAA.

“The numerous people he employs shouldn’t have to suffer because of his dishonesty.”

Jim Kendall, president of New Bedford Seafood Consulting, had the same concern about the permits. He noted that other boat owners have been stripped of their permits. “But I am not sure that it means anything for us,” he said.

“I’m hoping that whatever the decision is that it doesn’t harm the port or the fishermen here. I am concerned about the impact.

Joann Field of Acushnet said, “If he is taking responsibility, that’s a good thing.”

But her husband Roland wondered aloud how much the strain of government monitoring and enforcement pushed him in the direction he went.

Read the full story at The New Bedford Standard-Times