Two events this week addressed the current fishing crisis in New England and the future of the fishery.
May 16, 2013 — On Monday, Massachusetts Congressman William Keating and New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell hosted a forum addressing the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the federal law governing fisheries management. And this morning, the Northeast Seafood Coalition's Policy Director Vito Giacalone appeared on New England Cable News (NECN).
The forum, a joint meeting of the Federal Fishing Advisory Board and the New Bedford Mayor's Ocean and Fishery Council, discussed potential changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Act, as well as the state of fisheries science in the Northeast. It was attended by members of the fishing industry, scientific community, and NOAA Northeast Regional Administrator John Bullard.
On NECN, Mr. Giacalone discussed the most recent quota cuts to Northeast groundfish stocks like cod, expressing concerns that the cuts are too severe. Mr. Giacalone also discussed the uncertainty surrounding the scientific assessments on which the cuts are based.
Watch a video of the forum hosted by Congressman William Keating and Mayor John Mitchell
Watch the interview of Vito Giacalone on NECN