Saving Seafood

Mayor, supporters intensify push for fisheries center to move from Woods Hole to New Bedford

March 10, 2016 — NEW BEDFORD — A broad group of SouthCoast supporters is backing an intensified push for moving the Northeast Fisheries Science Center from Woods Hole to New Bedford, saying in a letter to the top NOAA administrator this week that bringing government scientists closer to the fishing industry could ease long-simmering tensions.

The letter was sent Monday to NOAA Administrator Kathryn Sullivan, written by Mayor Jon Mitchell and signed by more than 50 people, including port representatives, fishermen, SouthCoast politicians, local economic leaders and more. It describes “persistent distrust between NOAA and the fishing industry” over the last 20 years and says moving the science center to New Bedford could “restore the agency’s credibility in fishing communities,” by fostering communication.

“We have tried over the years to establish a more constructive dialogue with NOAA, and it just hasn’t happened,” Mitchell said Thursday. “I have long stressed that the best way to improve the government’s understanding of fishing communities is to get them to operate in one, and New Bedford is the undisputed center of the commercial fishing industry on the East Coast.”

The National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NOAA), under the federal Department of Commerce, has been assessing the Woods Hole science center for more than a year.

The issue caught broad attention in December, when Falmouth town officials discussed a possible relocation of the center at a public meeting. Teri Frady, spokeswoman for NOAA at the science center, said at the time that repairs, renovations or replacement were possible options.

Paul Doremus, deputy assistant administrator for operations at NOAA Fisheries, said in December that NOAA’s assessment of the Woods Hole laboratory would be completed this spring.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard Times

New England Seafood Companies Highlight Traceability Practices in Saving Seafood Video

WASHINGTON (Saving Seafood) – March 8, 2016 – Sustainability and traceability are key themes of this year’s Seafood Expo North America, being held this week in Boston. A new video released today from Saving Seafood highlights how the U.S. seafood industry is focused on sustainable, traceable, and high-quality local seafood.  

Taken from a series of interviews conducted by Saving Seafood at last year’s Seafood Expo, the video features representatives from some of New England’s most prominent seafood companies sharing how they ensure that domestic seafood is fresh, sustainably sourced, and reliably traced.

In recent years, as concerns about seafood fraud have increased, companies cited their ability to closely monitor supply chains, from the minute the fish leaves the water to the moment the final product exits the warehouse as the kind of control and assurance their buyers demand. 

“When you’re dealing with the customer base we have, they want a premium product, MSC certified, and domestic,” said George Kouri, COO of Northern Wind of New Bedford, Massachusetts. “Everything we pack is exactly to the customer’s specification and labeled in accordance.”

One of the largest seafood shows in the United States, Seafood Expo North America brings together leading members of the domestic seafood community, including harvesters, processors, wholesalers, and retailers. While over 90 percent of seafood consumed in the U.S. is imported, Expo participants touted several major benefits of purchasing and consuming seafood caught in U.S. waters, chief among them the fact that U.S. law requires domestic fisheries be harvested at sustainable levels.

“For us, we’re able to trace those goods, in the case of scallops specifically, from the individual tow, all the way to the lotted box that ultimately ends up in the possession of our customers,” said John Furtado, the Executive Vice President of Eastern Fisheries, of New Bedford, Massachusetts.

Domestically caught seafood, in addition to coming from sustainably managed stocks, also has a clear advantage over imported fish when it comes to being properly labeled and accurately traced, according to many of the interviewees. Another benefit of locally sourced seafood, they say: it’s easier to track.

“Every single species that we are pulling out of the ocean and serving up to our clients, to our chefs, and to our specialty retailers are sustainable,” said Laura Foley Ramsden, co-owner of M.F. Foley, Inc. of Boston, and a former councilmember on the New England Fishery Management Council. “We’re able to go to our customers and inform them about how fisheries in the U.S. are managed, that it’s illegal to be overfishing, and that they are coming from a sustainable resource.”

“We’ve always known where all the fish came from, and where it went,” said Charlie Nagle, President of Boston’s John Nagle Co. “Everything we do is traceable.”

Among the Expo attendees featured in the video are representatives from Northern Wind; M.F. Foley Inc.; John Nagle Co.; and Eastern Fisheries. They each expressed to Saving Seafood the importance of maintaining not only a sustainably sourced product, but also one that is fresh and of the highest quality.

“We have extremely disciplined buying, so that we put people in each of the New England ports every single day looking at the fish, buying fish that’s only 24 to 48 hours out of the water,” said Ramsden. “If you’re that disciplined in your buying standards, you’re going to produce a better tasting, fresher fish that then ends up in plates all across America.”

The video is just a small sample of the many U.S. seafood providers who adhere to some of the world’s highest standards to bring high quality seafood to the domestic market. Saving Seafood is proud to support sustainable seafood providers, and will continue to highlight the stories of successful, sustainable U.S. fisheries.

View the video here

MASSACHUSETTS: New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center Leases Downtown Space

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — March 8, 2016 — The following was released by the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center:

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is pleased to announce its plans to lease space at 38 Bethel Street beginning on April 1st of this year. Located in the heart of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, the 3000 square foot, handicap accessible space will accommodate changing exhibits, public programs, school groups, archives, and community gatherings.  Exhibits are under development with a public opening planned for late June.

“The commercial fishing community deserves a place to preserve and present its stories and artifacts, share its skills and knowledge, and educate the public about its rich traditions, heritage, and contemporary existence. We are excited to provide that opportunity.” Executive Director, Laura Orleans.

During 2016 the Center will continue to present Dock-u-mentaries, its monthly film/speaker series and Something Fishy, its free summer camp program, in collaboration with the National Park and Whaling History Alliance. Weekly cruise ship programs and fishermen-led walking tours will be offered during the summer months.  A variety of public programs including author readings, talks, occupational demonstrations, and performances will be presented.  In addition, an interactive website with digital exhibits, an industry timeline, and standards-based curriculum materials will be launched in April. The Center is also working in collaboration with UMass Dartmouth, UMass Boston, and the New Bedford Public Library on a year-long initiative to create a digital archive of fishing community history.

The Fishing Heritage Center is dedicated to preserving and presenting the story of the commercial fishing industry past, present, and future through exhibits, programs, and archives. The Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For more information visit www.fishingheritagecenter.org.

Coast Guard hopes hotline leads to fishing scofflaws

March 5, 2016 —  This week, as the Carlos Rafael saga unfolded in New Bedford and in federal court in Worcester, the U.S. Coast Guard issued a release asking anyone with information on illegal fishing activity to report it to a confidential hotline.

Coincidence? Hardly.

A Coast Guard spokeswoman said the hotline has been used in the past, but the Coast Guard is publicizing it more extensively now and one of the reasons is the Rafael case. The New Bedford fishing mogul is facing federal charges of conducting illegal fishing operations, conspiracy and falsifying fish-reporting documents.

“Is it partly because of the case? Definitely,” Lt. Karen Kutkiewicz said Friday.

Kutkiewicz said the hotline, which is manned by Coast Guard personnel, already has received numerous tips on illegal fishing from callers in the New Bedford area and Boston. She did not specify if any related directly to the Rafael case.

She also said the hotline will continue operating as long as tips keep coming in.

“We really want to make sure that the guys that are out there fishing legitimately have the best shot,” she said. “We want the playing field to be level.”

She urged anyone with information on illegal fishing activities to call the line at 1-844-847-2431.

Read the full story at Gloucester Daily Times

SLADE GORTON: NOAA must monitor all fishing boats

March 4, 2016 — What is happening in the waters of the Northeast — the disappearance of cod, the warming of the ocean, and the gradual decline of a way of life that has been a staple of our economy and culture for centuries — is a national disaster, and it needs a national response. There is no silver bullet, but one critical step above all others can put the New England groundfishery on the path to recovery: Congress and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration must move immediately to monitor every boat at sea.

The recent arrest of New Bedford fishing boat owner and wholesaler Carlos Rafael, for allegedly evading federal fishing quotas, clearly indicates the need to protect honest fishermen, and our fish species, with better monitoring.

Unfortunately, the opposite is happening. NOAA is planning to reduce the number of observers when they are needed most, so that only 10 percent of boats will carry an observer on board. This action, driven by conflict over whether fishermen should pay for the monitoring program, will move the fishery in the wrong direction.

My interest in saving fishing in New England is both personal and professional. As a Gorton, I am the descendant of people who made their livelihoods at sea, catching and selling cod for generations. Slade Gorton & Co. is headquartered in Boston. As a former US senator from Washington state, I worked countless hours on complex policy questions meant to help the fishing industry.

Read the full opinion piece at the Boston Globe

MASSACHUSETTS: NEW BEDFORD FISHING HERITAGE CENTER LEASES DOWNTOWN SPACE

March 2, 2016 — The following was released by the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center:

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is pleased to announce its plans to lease space at 38 Bethel Street beginning on April 1st of this year. Located in the heart of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, the 3000 square foot, handicap accessible space will accommodate changing exhibits, public programs, school groups, archives, and community gatherings.  Exhibits are under development with a public opening planned for late June.

“The commercial fishing community deserves a place to preserve and present its stories and artifacts, share its skills and knowledge, and educate the public about its rich traditions, heritage, and contemporary existence. We are excited to provide that opportunity.” Executive Director, Laura Orleans. 

During 2016 the Center will continue to present Dock-u-mentaries, its monthly film/speaker series and Something Fishy, its free summer camp program, in collaboration with the National Park and Whaling History Alliance. Weekly cruise ship programs and fishermen-led walking tours will be offered during the summer months.  A variety of public programs including author readings, talks, occupational demonstrations, and performances will be presented.  In addition, an interactive website with digital exhibits, an industry timeline, and standards-based curriculum materials will be launched in April. The Center is also working in collaboration with UMass Dartmouth, UMass Boston, and the New Bedford Public Library on a year-long initiative to create a digital archive of fishing community history. 

The Fishing Heritage Center is dedicated to preserving and presenting the story of the commercial fishing industry past, present, and future through exhibits, programs, and archives. The Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For more information visit www.fishingheritagecenter.org. 

Fishing Heritage Center Executive Director and members of the Board pose in front of the space they will lease in downtown New Bedford. (from the left: Phil Mello, Kirsten Bendiksen, Laura Orleans, Cassie Canastra, Madeleine Hall-Arber, and David Martins. Not pictured: Ann Jardin-Maynard, Stephanie Rafael-DeMello, and Jeff Pelletier)

Carlos Rafael released on $1M bond, puts home and business up for collateral

March 2, 2015 — New Bedford fishing magnate Carlos Rafael will be allowed to return to his Dartmouth home under strict bond conditions and to continue working while facing federal conspiracy and falsification charges, a judge ruled Wednesday.

Rafael and his wife agreed to place their home on Tucker Road in North Dartmouth and the Carlos Seafood building, on South Front Street in New Bedford, as collateral for the $1 million bond. Prosecutors said the total value of the two properties is about $900,000.

Magistrate Judge David H. Hennessy warned Rafael sternly during his detention hearing in U.S. District Court in Worcester that any violation of his bond could result in a warrant for his arrest and the loss of his home and business property.

“If you fail to comply with any of these conditions, the government can take that property away from you,” Hennessy said.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

 

MASSACHUSETTS: Gloucester hooked to New Bedford fish fraud case?

February 29, 2016 — GLOUCESTER — The stunning arrest of New Bedford fishing mogul Carlos Rafael last Friday on federal conspiracy and fraud charges may have a Gloucester connection.

The affidavit submitted in support of the federal criminal complaint against Rafael and bookkeeper Debra Messier by Internal Revenue Service Special Agent Ronald Mullett, one of the undercover operatives involved in stinging Rafael, includes an oblique reference to Gloucester.

The reference takes place in a quote attributed to a New York man that federal investigators allege to be the wholesale buyer of Rafael’s illicit, off-the-books fish. The man initially is referred to only as “Michael,” but later in the affidavit also is called “Perretti.”

During the discussion, according to the affidavit, the talk turned to laundering money.

Gloucester talk

“During the meeting, the UCs (undercover agents) also told Perretti that they had cash on hand from an insurance fraud they perpetuated,” according to the affidavit. “Perretti explained that he could launder money from the UCs, suggesting he could reach out to individuals he used to charge 15 percent in the past.”

Read the full story at Salem State News

MASSACHUSETTS: New Bedford fish fraud case underscores need for greater NOAA monitoring

February 29, 2016 — BOSTON — Fraud charges against the owner of a prominent New Bedford fishing company highlight the need for greater enforcement of fishery regulations, according to an environmental group.

Carlos Rafael, owner of 40 fishing vessels in New Bedford and Gloucester as well as Carlos Seafood, was arrested on Friday on charges his organization lied about the species of fish landed, and he smuggled cash out of the country.

Among other allegations, federal authorities said Rafael told undercover agents he had assistance from a local law enforcement officer who helped him move cash through the airport to Portugal.

Accused of circumventing federal quotas by labeling dabs and other fish as haddock – where Rafael said he has a 15-million-pound quota – Rafael regularly shipped the mislabeled fish to a buyer in New York City, according to federal officials.

“Because it is nearly impossible to monitor what fishing vessels do out at sea, commercial fishing vessels are required to comply with various reporting requirement,” the 18-page affidavit by Internal Revenue Service Special Agent Ronald Mullett states.

Rafael told undercover agents posing as Russian mobsters interested in buying the business that co-defendant Debra Messier had “been in the life” with him for 30 years and everyone in the company “knows the scheme,” according to the complaint.

According to the affidavit in support of a criminal complaint Rafael was previously convicted of tax evasion in the 1980s, acquitted of price-fixing in 1994 and convicted of making false statements on fishing vessels’ landing slips in 2000. Messier is his bookkeeper and both live in Dartmouth, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. According to the Boston Globe, Rafael was held without bail pending a detention hearing on Wednesday and Messier was released from custody on $10,000 unsecured bond.

Read the full story at Taunton Daily Gazette

MASSACHUSETTS: New Bedford Fishing Industry Helping to Protect the Environment

February 29, 2016 — The following was released by the Office of Mayor Jon Mitchell:

New Bedford, Fairhaven and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) are working together with the fishing industry and other commercial vessel operators to prevent oil spills and keep New Bedford Harbor, home of America’s No. 1 Fishing Port, clean through the “Clean Bilge Program.”

New Bedford Harbor is home to more than 400 fishing vessels that harvest the sea and many seafood processing plants and other businesses that support the fishing industry are also located in New Bedford and Fairhaven. The Port of New Bedford is an important economic engine for New Bedford, Fairhaven and the region. With so much commercial activity in New Bedford Harbor (including 400 fishing vessels, 4,400 jobs, seafood landings valued at $329 million, as well as more than 30 processors and distributors) small oil spills became a frequent occurrence, and have threatened collaborative efforts to clean and improve water quality in the harbor.

According to recent U.S. Coast Guard data, there has been at least one recorded small oil spill in New Bedford Harbor each month since 2010 and contaminated bilge water is considered the most likely source of these spills. The vast majority of these spills are small, but even a single cup of oil has the potential to contaminate a football field-sized area.

However, an innovative pilot program to prevent oil spills is changing the tide and improving the health of the New Bedford Harbor. Funded by MassDEP and operated by the New Bedford Harbor Development Commission (HDC), Clean Bilge works directly with commercial fishing vessel operators and the operators of other commercial vessels to prevent oil spills.

An agent of the City’s Harbor Development Commission connects directly with vessel owners on both the New Bedford and Fairhaven sides of the harbor and provides advice on how to avoid oil leaks, refuel safely and maintain a clean bilge. In addition to helpful guidance, vessel owners can receive bilge pumping – the removal of unwanted water that can become contaminated with oil and collects in the lowest part of all vessels.

Since the program began in October of 2015, more than 120 vessels have signed up to participate, 48 vessels have had their bilge pumped and 14,117 gallons of oily bilge water was recovered and properly disposed of and kept out of New Bedford Harbor.

“The Port of New Bedford is one of Greater New Bedford’s most important economic assets and we are working on many fronts to ensure that New Bedford Harbor continues to be a strong asset for our region and protecting its environmental health is a critical component of our efforts. I am encouraged at the number of vessels that have signed up for the program thus far and thank the participating vessels for being good stewards of the environment,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell.

“Following the Buzzards Day oil spill, MassDEP has helped New Bedford and coastal communities respond to oil spills with funding for new cleanup equipment and response plans that protect sensitive resources,” said MassDEP Deputy Commissioner Gary Moran. “Now, with the new clean bilge pilot program, we are reaching out directly to vessel owners with a preventative measure that aims to stop spills before they happen.”

“The persistent “mystery” oil spill problem has no place in the New Bedford Harbor we are all working so hard to restore every day. The Buzzards Bay Coalition is excited to be a partner in this voluntary effort to improve bilge oil management. It has been wonderful to see the positive response and commitment from fishing vessel owners to cleaning up the Harbor,” said Mark Rasmussen, President, Buzzards Bay Coalition

More than 120 commercial vessels have signed up to participate in the program and each receives a complimentary inspection and specific recommendations on preventing oil spills. Rodney Avila, a former commercial fisherman from New Bedford was hired by the HDC to lead the program. Port Director, Edward Anthes-Washburn said, “By working with fishermen we have prevented countless oil spills and are maintaining a cleaner harbor. I think the education component of this program has been critical to the success we’ve had thus far.”

View a PDF of the release