Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick's director of marine fisheries dropped a veil of secrecy Thursday over the process for nominating candidates for four seats — including that of chairman John Pappalardo — on the embattled federal New England Fisheries Management Council.
Pappalardo, who must step down from the council in August after serving the maximum three, three-year terms, is CEO of the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen's Association.
The only known candidate under consideration by state Marine Fisheries Director Paul Diodati is Tom Dempsey, who is policy director for the Cape Cod fishermen's association, reporting to Pappalardo at the group's Chatham headquarters.
Diodati's spokeswoman, Catherine Williams, declined to discuss the selection process or identify other candidates who have put their interest in serving on the council in writing.
"It is not appropriate to discuss the process in public," Williams said in a telephone interview. She would only say that there was a solicitation process, and that the Division of Marine Fisheries "received nine complete applications, which are currently under review."
Not all New England states process nominees behind closed doors. New Hampshire, for example, holds public meetings.
Read the complete story from the Gloucester Times.