Saving Seafood

New rules to help southern New England lobsters up for vote

July 31, 2017 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — A plan to try to slow the decline of southern New England’s lobster population with new fishing restrictions is up for a potential final vote this week.

The population of lobsters off Connecticut, Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts has plummeted in recent years. The regulatory Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is considering a host of new restrictions about lobster fishing at a meeting on Tuesday.

Proposed management tools have included changes to legal harvesting size, reductions to the number of traps and seasonal closures to fishing areas.

Read the full story from the Associated Press at Boston.com

NOAA Fisheries Announces Extension of Voluntary Speed Restriction Zone South of Nantucket to Protect Right Whales

July 31, 2017 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

The voluntary vessel speed restriction zone south of Nantucket, MA has been extended and enlarged to protected an aggregation of four right whales sighted in this area on July 28, 2017.

Mariners, please avoid or transit at 10 knots or less inside the area.

Nantucket, MA zone coordinates:

  • 41 33 N
  • 40 54 N
  • 070 35 W
  • 069 42 W

This voluntary speed restriction zone is in effect through August 12.

Find out more about all the dynamic and seasonal management areas where speed is restricted.

Learn more about how to reduce vessels strikes of whales.

You can also get recent right whale sightings and the latest acoustic detections of right whales in Cape Cod Bay and the Boston shipping lanes. Or, download the Whale Alert app for iPad and iPhone.

Remember that approaching a right whale closer than 500 yards is a violation of federal and state law. Please report all right whale sightings to 866-755-NOAA (6622)

Fishing Partnership Support Services: Pass a price on carbon to protect fisheries and livelihoods

July 31, 2017 — A few years ago, scientists, fishermen and fishing managers concluded that cod stocks were rebuilding off the coast of Massachusetts. This understanding led ground fishermen (those who catch cod and other groundfish) spanning coastal New England to invest their life savings into their fishing businesses.

Soon after, industry experts changed their tune, reporting that drastic changes were underway. With livelihoods and families on the line, cod stocks began collapsing, leaving thousands devastated both financially and mentally. Today, an astounding 87 percent of Massachusetts ground fishermen suffer from mild to severe PTSD after experiencing the financial consequences of the crash, according to a Northeastern University study.

The situation only worsens as fishermen resort to unsafe practices — going farther out to sea in subpar boats, downsizing crews, and working longer hours on insufficient sleep. It is no surprise that New England ground fisherman are 200 times more likely to die on the job than the average worker, and that fishermen have the highest suicide rates among U.S. workers.

With ocean temperatures in the Northeast increasing more rapidly than global averages, sea animal populations are already noticeably shifting. Populations of cod, lobster, sea bass, and many others are decreasing in size or migrating farther north. And in turn, food chains are altered and fishermen struggle to pay the bills.

From cod to fishermen to families, climate change has the power and potential to cause true devastation, and the time to act is now. In Massachusetts, we have the opportunity to confront this issue head-on and cut greenhouse gas emissions through carbon pricing legislation H.1726 and S.1821.

Read the full option piece at the New Bedford Standard-Times

MASSACHUSETTS: Improving the science is key

Gov. Baker pledges support for new studies, research on fishing industry

July 31, 2017 — Governor Charlie Baker says more and stronger data will help Gloucester fishermen push back against federal fisheries regulations they believe are unwarranted and which, they claim, are in some cases based on inaccurate government data.

Citing scientific data as key to reviving not only Gloucester’s, but also the state’s fishing industry, Baker told a roomful of fishermen and their supporters Thursday that he will continue to support their push for new studies and other research. He also hailed the Gloucester-based Northeast Seafood Coalition for its focus on those needs.

“We’re very proud of you and all that you are doing to improve the science,” Baker told up to 300 people gathered for the coalition’s annual fundraiser at The Gloucester House. The benefit, which was expected to raise up to $50,000 for the fishing industry policy and advocacy organization, carried a theme of “Know fish, better science.”

“We look forward to working with you, and we are committed to advocating for you,” the governor added, noting that the coalition continues to push for a greater role for fishermen in government trawl studies and other research used to craft fishing quotas on cod and other groundfish. “We respect the work you do, and we look to working with you and for you long into the future.”

Baker, who has consistently sided with fishermen in their questioning of the accuracy of government catch data, made his latest visit to Gloucester two weeks after the announcement that John Bullard, NOAA Fisheries’ Greater Atlantic regional administrator for the past five years, is retiring in January.

Read the full story at the Gloucester Times

What’s next for Carlos Rafael?

July 31, 2017 — The “Codfather” quashed any hopes for high courtroom drama when he pleaded guilty in March to falsifying fish quotas, false labeling of fish species, conspiracy and tax evasion, 28 counts in all.

The real action is behind the scenes, as federal and defense attorneys wrestle over the fate of New Bedford fishing mogul Carlos Rafael’s fishing empire, said to be one of the largest groundfish fleets in the nation.

It’s something Cape fishermen, and fishermen all over New England, are debating and watching closely.

“I’ve said before, there is no place in fishing for Mr. Rafael. If that’s part of the global solution (the larger deal being worked out between NOAA and Rafael’s attorneys) every fisherman I’ve spoken to up and down the coast feels that’s a good outcome,” said John Pappalardo, chief executive officer of the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance and a member and former chairman of the New England Fishery Management Council. Many fishermen want the courts and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to make an example of Rafael and send a message that illegal fishing practices won’t be tolerated.

They are also interested in what happens to the money collected in fines and forfeitures and the fate of the many fishery permits and quota controlled by Rafael.

Read the full story at the Cape Cod Times

MASSACHUSETTS: New Bedford launches seafood branding campaign

July 28, 2017 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — For generations New Bedford fishermen withstood the elements to do their jobs. Through rain storms they fished. In choppy waters they fished. Against harsh winds they fished.

So it was fitting that the unveiling of the city’s newly-created seafood brand was delivered in the rain at the Custom House Square in downtown New Bedford Thursday evening.

“We are the biggest, the baddest, the most comprehensive fishing port in America,” Mayor Jon Mitchell said. “We are going to scream from the mountain tops that we are the biggest fishing port in America. We are a real seaport and real fishing port. We want everyone to know that.”

In unabashed self-promotion, the city’s seafood brand initiative aims to make New Bedford synonymous with fresh, sustainable seafood much like Maine is with lobster and Alaska is with salmon. The logo, designed by Moore & Isherwood Communications, features a western rig fishing vessel, a major cog that’s helped make the Port of New Bedford the most lucrative fishing port in the country.

When buyers, whether they’re locally, nationally or internationally-based, purchase seafood from the Port of New Bedford, the products will have the logo on the packaging to serve as a visual reminder of what they are eating.

But more than just self-promotion, the branding will also tell consumers that the product they purchased has also been through rigorous testing in any of the city’s processing centers to ensure quality.

“Outside of our region, not enough people know how important New Bedford and our fishing industry are to providing sustainable, fresh, delicious fish to buyers and consumers everywhere,” Ed Anthes-Washburn, port director, said.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

CHRISTIAN PUTNAM: Local seafood in global competition: Time to fight back

July 28, 2017 — Most of our seafood is imported. “Most” means 92 percent; sometimes a higher number is quoted. That leaves eight percent of the seafood that is consumed in the United States sourced within our boarders. As was discussed last week, a piece of fish that is caught off the coast of Scituate, returned to shore properly handled but not frozen, processed locally and sold within a day or so is far superior to a frozen foreign product. Superior in both health and quality benefits. It would be hard to find someone to argue against this supposition.

Why would a consumer that lives in or near a fishing port every buy the foreign frozen version of something that is much better tasting and for you when caught locally? The answer is two-fold. One issue is that the seafood market is clearly global. Foreign players often have cost leverage over local operations. Second, many consumers do not realize they are buying or ordering a foreign-sourced fish and may not realize it has been frozen. Sometimes products are misrepresented on menus, sometimes the fish case at the grocery store is missing the required sign when a product is foreign and often the consumer just doesn’t think to ask.

While cognitively consumers know local is better, the differentiation between local and product from elsewhere simply enough to change behavior. A piece of fish is a piece of fish to many. Plus, after years of lackluster economic growth, many consumers are still very driven by price.

Read the full column at Wicked Local

Carlos Rafael sentencing delayed

July 28, 2017 — The New Bedford fishing mogul known as “The Codfather” has been granted a new two-month delay prior to his sentencing on federal charges of conspiracy, falsifying fish quotas, and tax evasion.

Carlos Rafael, 65, was slated to face sentencing Friday, and could face up to 76 months in prison on the three charges through plea agreement reached with the U.S. attorney’s office March 30.

Federal prosecutors have recommended a prison term of 46 months and an extended time after that of supervised release, but U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young is not bound to abide by that recommendation. All of those terms are far less than the 20 years he could have faced under an original 27-count indictment.

Young, however, granted a motion on July 11 that had been filed by Rafael’s attorney, William H. Kettlewell, asking for more time to resolve what Kettlewell called “a critical component of the overall resolution of this case.” Young and the U.S. attorney’s office agreed to set a new sentencing date for Sept. 25 at 2 p.m., according to spokeswoman Liz McCarthy.

Read the full story at the Gloucester Times

MASSACHUSETTS: Port of New Bedford Launches New Bedford Seafood Brand

July 28, 2017 — The following was released by the Port of New Bedford Harbor Development Commission:

The Port of New Bedford Harbor Development Commission (HDC) will officially unveil their newly created New Bedford Seafood brand at the Seafood Throwdown on July 27 at Custom House Square, beginning at 6pm.

“As America’s top grossing commercial fishing port and largest seafood processing center, New Bedford can rightfully claim the title of America’s Seafood Capital.  But we need to do a better job proclaiming our status to the rest of the world, and that’s where this campaign comes in,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell, who also serves as Chairman of the HDC.

The HDC hired Moore & Isherwood Communications to develop the logo, which features the ever-familiar western rig fishing vessel, the backbone of the Port of New Bedford’s successful commercial fishing industry.

“Outside of our region few people know how important New Bedford and our fishing industry is to providing sustainable, fresh, delicious fish to buyers and consumers everywhere,” says Ed Anthes-Washburn, Port Director.  “The fishing industry and our waterfront is the cultural, economic and political center of our region.  We think it’s important to showcase New Bedford’s seafood at the same level as other brands like Alaskan salmon or Maine lobster.”

In addition to the logo, the HDC worked with students from UMass Dartmouth’s Charlton College of Business and Moore & Isherwood Communications to develop a website where national and international buyers can browse all of New Bedford’s processors and fish houses, and the seafood they sell.

In the future, the HDC has plans to work with local restaurants and fish markets to further identify locally-landed fish and seafood for local residents in an effort to highlight some of the underutilized species, or less popular fish, that are landed in local waters.

Said Anthes-Washburn, “Wild-caught seafood landed in New Bedford is among the last wild protein available to consumers.  It’s healthy, sustainably managed, and by purchasing it you’re supporting local fishermen that reinvest in our communities.” Anthes-Washburn also suggests branching out to species you may not recognize and don’t be afraid to ask your server or seafood purveyor questions. “One of the easiest ways to support our local fishermen is to engage with people in the industry, try new species and ask about different menu items or suggestions!”

The HDC will be unveiling the logo at the Seafood Throwdown, an event they’re hosting in collaboration with the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance (NAMA), the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, and the New Bedford Farmers Market.

The entire project was generously funded by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) through their Seafood Marketing Program.

The Port of New Bedford is managed by the New Bedford Harbor Development Commission which aims to implement best management practices over port resources and develop economic growth strategies. To this end, it is the goal of the Harbor Development Commission to keep New Bedford on top as the #1 U.S. fishing port, expand existing businesses and capitalize on new opportunities that will maximize The Port’s potential as an economic engine to create jobs and strengthen the New Bedford economy.

MASSACHUSETTS: Live Music, Matchups, and More for all ages at Seaport’s Fish Pier Sunday, August 13th, Boston’s Landmark Fish Pier

July 27, 2017 — BOSTON, Mass. — The following was released by the Boston Seafood Festival:

Live music from popular local performers and blue-grass bands, kids’ favorites like face-painting and costumed pirates and all-day festivities make this summer’s Boston Seafood Festival on August 13, 11am – 7pm, a must for seafood lovers of all ages.

Some of the festivities in store for attendees of Boston’s biggest and tastiest seafood festival include a live performance from headliner American Idol alum and rising country star Ayla Brown as well as numerous activities for children and families.

Along with fish cutting demonstrations by celebrity chefs, a lobster bake tent, and a beer garden, Boston Seafood Festival guests are able to enjoy a plethora of activities ranging from face painting to photos with roaming pirates and costumed characters. Attendees will also be entertained by live music including the rhythmic rock band La Joya, a soulful jazz band and the vivacious bluegrass inspired band, Wheelhouse Rodeo.

Sunday, August 13

Over All Activities

12:00 – 1:30pm         Fish Cutting Demonstration (Pier)

12:00 – 6:00pm         Lobster Bake Tent (Throughout Pier)

12:00– 6:00pm          Beer Garden (Throughout Pier)

12:00 – 6:00pm         Kids Activities (Throughout Pier)

12:00 – 6:00pm         Acoustic Aaron (Lobster Bake)

12:00– 6:00pm          Chef Demos (Throughout Pier)

1:30 – 4:30pm           Pirates (Throughout Pier)

2:30– 3:30pm            Battle of the Shuckers (Pier)

Main Stage

11:30 – 12:15pm       Welcome Program

12:30– 1:30pm          A Jazz Band

2:00 – 2:30pm           Interfaith Unity Blessing

2:30 – 3:15pm          Two Way Radio

3:30 – 4:30pm          Wheelhouse Rodeo

4:45– 5:40pm           Ayla Brown

5:30 – 6:30pm          La Joya Band

Scheduled times are subject to change

Tickets are $15.00 and are available at http://www.bostonseafoodfestival.org/. Proceeds underwrite Boston Seafood Festival and in part support the work of the Boston Fisheries Foundation, a not-for profit organization that preserves and protects the local seafood industry’s long-term viability as well as safeguards the ocean’s present and future natural resources.

The Boston Seafood Festival is presented by Boston Fisheries Foundation along with generous sponsors that include; Massport, Harpoon, Stavis Seafoods, Channel Fish, The John Nagle Company, Quarterdeck, JCDecaux, Carpenter’s Union, Ipswich Clambake, East Boston Savings Bank, Boston Sword & Tuna, and F.J. O’Hara & Son’s. Boston Seafood Festival is managed and produced by Conventures, Boston’s leading events management and communications agency.

About Boston Seafood Festival:

Presented by Boston Fisheries Foundation, Boston Seafood Festival combines a terrific family-friendly day of delicious seafood sampling, live music, local chef demonstrations, children’s activities and more with a rare opportunity to learn more about preserving Boston’s essential seafood and maritime heritage.

For more information and a complete list of activities, please visit http://bostonseafoodfestival.org.  Check out event updates on the Seafood Festival Facebook page, @BostonSeaFest on Twitter, or follow the conversation using #BostonSeaFest