January 31, 2013 – John K. Bullard, an official long-entrenched in the fishing industry, said New England fisherman will adapt to changing quotas and move toward a sustainable future.
"There isn't enough cod for people to make a decent living," Bullard said, adding that "there's no biological wiggle room left."
Bullard said that the challenge facing fishermen is to adapt to the new regulatory environment. He noted that the port of New Bedford does not rely on groundfish, and has seen economic success fishing for scallops, quahogs, and other species. He specifically mentioned redfish and Georges Bank haddock as two species that are currently healthy, although he recognized that making such a transition would be difficult.
"We all have to change at some points in our careers, and fishermen are no different. So change may be the order of the day," he said.
Watch the full video at the New York Times