August 22, 2017 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — John Bullard wants to arm fishing vessels with a smartphone — figuratively speaking.
“Nobody has rotary phones anymore, we just assume smartphones are the way we communicate and all the benefits of smartphones we’ve come to expect as normal,” Bullard said. ”(Electronic monitoring) is what we’re going to transition to, but it’s going to take time.”
NOAA’s Northeast Regional director said he believes current methods can lead to inaccurate science. Last week, NOAA conducted a fishing stock assessment meeting in New Bedford where similar concerns of bad science emerged. The root of the concern was data from false reports.
Electronic monitoring, specifically cameras on vessels, would provide accurate information.
“This is a major, in my opinion, improvement,” Bullard said. “I think it’s a major benefit to the industry.”
A letter signed by 12 members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives sparked discussion of electronic monitoring. The group, which included Patricia Haddad representing Bristol’s 5th District, sent the letter to Charlie Baker asking the governor to use any capital forfeiture associated with Carlos Rafael’s sentencing to pay for electronic monitoring.
Rafael pleaded guilty in March to false labeling fishing quotas. His sentencing hearing is Sept. 25 and 26 in Boston.