Governor Deval Patrick today said federal regulators and researchers should use the newest technology as they make crucial calculations about the vibrancy of fish stocks off the Massachusetts coastline.
Speaking at a summit on the fishing industry being at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, Patrick noted that representatives of the fishing industry were among the first people he met after he took office in 2006. He also noted the historic link between the industry and the Bay State.
"We know fishing in Massachusetts,'' he said. "We've been at it for centuries.''
Federal regulators frequently come under fire from fishermen for the techniques used to provide estimates of the populations of fish and other sea life routinely harvested for markets. The industry historically complains that regulators and researchers undercount stocks.