Over the past two weeks I have been cramming for a test in Washington, D.C. I have the great honor and privilege as mayor of the city of Gloucester to deliver our message on the steps of Capital Hill to Congress, to our compatriots in the fishing industry, and to the American people as part of the "United We Fish" rally.
Gloucester's significance as an American commercial fishing port is unquestioned. In 2008, Gloucester ranked 10th in the nation, which includes all of the west coast ports, the gulf of Mexico ports, and the east coast ports, in terms of fish landings. Weighing in at about 120 million pounds, the value of Gloucester's landings was over $54 million.
The city's economic development plan relies on the fishing industry, the maritime economy, and tourism for attracting jobs and investment here. However, the economic return of the fishing industry continues to be in jeopardy as the noose is tightened by unnecessarily rigid regulations.
Read the complete story at The Gloucester Daily Times.