September 18, 2013 — MARSHFIELD, Mass. — Local fishermen say a proposal to close a portion of Stellwagen Bank to recreational fishing would drive them out of business.
The plan, proposed by the New England Fishery Management Council, would turn the 638-square-nautical-mile Stellwagen Bank National Marine Fishery into a “dedicated habitat research area” where commercial fishing would be banned.
Within that area would be a 55-square-nautical-mile zone where all groundfish fishing, including charter boat fishing, would be prohibited.
Charter boats could still be allowed to fish for bluefin tuna in that zone, however.
About 75 to 100 people attended a dinner meeting at Haddad’s Cafe on Tuesday to find out more about the proposal.
State Rep. James Cantwell, D-Marshfield, attended, as did representatives from the offices of state Sen. Robert Hedlund, U.S. Rep William Keating, and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
Read the full story at the Quincy Patriot Ledger