The Northeast Seafood Coalition will host a Groundfish Industry Rally on April 29 at 11 a.m. at the Boston Fish Pier
GLOUCESTER, Mass., — April 22, 2013 — The Northeast Seafood Coalition (NSC) will host a Groundfish Industry Rally on April 29 at 11 a.m. at the Boston Fish Pier in Boston to unite the industry and call upon the federal government for disaster assistance and mitigation needs to keep small businesses viable and preserve the vital and historic groundfish fishing industry.
The Northeast Seafood Coalition recognizes that everyone must work together for the future of the fishery. “This is the time for industry, friends of the industry, and seafood consumers to come together and ask for help! We’re excited to unite in Boston, the hub of the Northeast groundfish fishery, to discuss important issues affecting the industry today and how we can preserve the fleet for tomorrow,” said Jackie Odell, executive director of NSC.
The upcoming fishing years for the Northeast groundfish fishery were supposed to be a time of prosperity—key stocks were on target to rebuild by 2014. Now, however, despite adhering to strict science and management measures and remaining within allowable catch limits, the Northeast commercial groundfish fishery has been declared a disaster.
This industry has faced numerous hardships over the years, but nothing like what is to come May 1. The industry will face crippling reductions in catch limits of up to 77 percent on key groundfish stocks. Fishermen and their families face a “perfect storm” of circumstances, which will cause severe hardship for not only small fishing businesses, but fishing communities, on-shore businesses, and American seafood consumers.
NSC expects groundfish fishermen, shore-side businesses representatives, and friends of the groundfish industry to attend the Boston rally. Due to extremely limited parking on the Boston Fish Pier, free parking will be available at 22 Fid Kennedy Avenue, which is a short distance from the Pier. NSC will provide a shuttle service from the parking lot to the rally. We kindly ask those planning to attend to park no later than 10:15 a.m.
For more information:
Visit the event page on the Northeast Seafood Coalition website