Congressman Barney Frank
Senator John Kerry
The Whaling Museum was the site today of major annoucements concerning the New England Fishery by Congressman Barney Frank and Senator John Kerry regarding new initiatives by Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and NOAA head, Dr. Lubchenco to exercise “emergency authorty to increase catch limits due to economic conditions (Section 305 (c) (1)),” pending review of “sound scientific data to meet these requirements.”
Other issues covered in the press conference included Commerce Dept’s interest in the U.S./Canada Transboundary Resources Understanding, as well as the “need to increase the precision of stock assessments and for greater involvement of fishermen in collection of scientific information…”.
Congressman Frank also noted the Commerce Department “will be sending a transfer request to Congress requesting reallocation of $15 million… for stock assessments and cooperative projects nationwide.” Senator Kerry called the Whaling Museum “a treasure” noting New Bedford’s rich maritime heritage and likening fishermen as “farmers of the sea.”
New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang, Gloucester Mayor Carolyn Kirk and a representative of Governor Deval Patrick also addressed a large audience of industry representatives, fishermen, community leaders and the press.
