NEW BEDFORD, MA (February 14, 2009) — The state Division of Marine Fisheries is backing local fishermen who oppose an interim groundfishing rule proposed by federal fisheries regulators and slated to go into effect May 1.
"We believe it is a drastic measure," Division of Marine Fisheries Director Paul Diodati said to fishermen and industry leaders during a meeting Friday of the New Bedford Mayor’s Ocean and Fisheries Council. The agency shares the industry’s concerns that the rule will create economic, safety and conservation problems by shifting fishing effort from inshore areas to offshore fishing grounds, he said. His agency plans to submit comments on the rule to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries by early next week.
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