April 15, 2013 — The following was released by the Northeast Seafood Coalition:
Greetings!
The Northeast Seafood Coalition (NSC) cordially invites you to attend the Groundfish Industry Rally on April 29, 2013 at the Boston Fish Pier in Boston, Massachusetts. The rally will provide an opportunity for the groundfish industry to call upon the federal government for short and long-term assistance and mitigation that are critical to keeping our businesses viable. THIS IS THE TIME FOR INDUSTRY, FRIENDS OF THE INDUSTRY, AND SEAFOOD CONSUMERS TO COME TOGETHER TO ASK FOR HELP!
The upcoming fishing years for the Northeast groundfish fishery were supposed to be a time of prosperity–key stocks were on target to rebuild by 2014. Now, however, despite adhering to strict science and management measures and remaining within allowable catch limits, the Northeast commercial groundfish fishery has been declared a disaster and faces a catastrophic "perfect storm" of circumstances on May 1. Every segment of the fleet will hurt in 2013. The reductions will trickle down and affect our fishing communities, our economies, and the American seafood consumer. Now, more than ever, we have to work together for the future of this fishery.
Please join us for the Groundfish Industry Rally by 10:15 a.m. on April 29, 2013 at the Boston Fish Pier in Boston's Waterfront District. Complimentary parking is available at 22 Fid Kennedy Avenue in Boston, which is a short distance from the Pier. NSC will provide a free shuttle service from this parking lot to the event. We kindly ask you to arrive at the parking site no later than 10:15 a.m. so we can begin our program promptly at 11:00 a.m.