GLOUCESTER, Mass., — January 12, 2014 — In the face of what he calls serious threats to the survival of the groundfish industry in Massachusetts and major challenges to the viability of other commercial fishing sectors, state Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, has filed legislation to bring the force of state government to the marketing of seafood products to aid in the survival and ongoing sustainability of one of the commonwealth’s oldest industries.
The bill, which calls for the establishment of a Massachusetts Seafood Marketing Program within the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), has drawn the support of 23 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
It calls for the establishment of a coordinated program within DMF to market seafood landed in the commonwealth and to take actions to increase consumer demand and preference for the local seafood products and support for the commonwealth’s fishing and seafood industry.
"Reduced catch shares imposed under new federal regulations that went into effect May 1 have pushed our commercial groundfishing industry to the verge of extinction," Tarr said. "This proposal is just one of many avenues we can and should pursue to help save the industry and ensure that commercial fishing remains viable in Massachusetts."