July 3, 2018 — As calendars turned to July on Sunday, the new month represented the ninth in which about 80 local fishermen have been banned from groundfishing.
Congressman Bill Keating, who according to some on the waterfront, has most actively tried to return those fishermen to work said on Monday that he expects NOAA to release a decision soon.
“We’re just waiting for the final aspects going forward,” Keating said.
Last month, city, state and federal politicians met at the Whaling Museum to discuss possible scenarios to end the ban. Fishermen also met with the federal delegation in May.
The Democrat representing Massachusetts’ 9th Congressional District said “an administrative procedure” is separating the rule from being announced.
NOAA provided no comment on a timetable and said it would release a statement when an announcement is made.
NOAA has remained quiet throughout the groundfishing ban, which was imposed on November 20, 2017 as measures to force repayment of the fishing overages by Carlos Rafael and to prevent any recurrence of mislabeling.