NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — October 6, 2012 — A group of first-term state representatives got an inside look at the workings of the fishing industry when they toured the working waterfront Friday.
The four visitors — two from Western Massachusetts, one from Whitman and one from Seekonk — were in the city at the invitation of Rep. Chris Markey, D-Dartmouth, who arranged a full day of activities.
"I think it's important to have people come down and it's a great learning experience," he said. Last year, Markey brought another group to take a look at the cranberry industry, he said.
"I'm on the environment and agriculture committee with Rep. Markey so I know a bit of this. But it's much more valuable to see something firsthand," said Rep. Paul Mark, D-Peru, a Democrat from the 2nd Berkshire District.
In the morning, the group toured the Northern Wind seafood processing plant, then enjoyed a boat tour of the harbor.
"I had no idea how influential New Bedford was in the scallop industry and that they were shipping and receiving product internationally," said Rep. Geoffrey Diehl, R-Whitman, from the 7th Plymouth District. Hearing directly about the difficulties facing the industry was a valuable experience, he said.
"You want to have quality control but you don't want to inhibit an industry with too much regulation," he said.
After lunch at the Waterfront Grille, the legislators met with boat owner Carlos Rafael on Leonards Wharf. Rafael showed them around the scallop boat Hera II and voiced strong opinions on reasons the fishing industry was not doing better.
Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard Times