August 9, 2014 — While the federal government continues its process for doling out financial aid to New England’s commercial fishermen in response to the economic disaster, state legislators have secured funding for a Massachusetts seafood marketing program as part of an overall economic development bill.
The economic bill casts a wide net in an attempt to jump-start the state economy, with Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, and state Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante, D-Gloucester, taking lead roles in seeking help for the fishing industry.
One such plan is to develop a seafood marketing program. The program, according to Tarr, drew on recommendations from the Special Commission on Seafood Marketing.
The new marketing program plans to increase public knowledge about the benefits of seafood and the economic importance of the fishing industry, while also educating the public about the fisheries and building consumer confidence, branding Massachusetts seafood and creating name recognition and stabilized market prices in the fishing industry.
“Undoubtedly, Massachusetts has its own valued brand of some of the nation’s freshest seafood,” Ferrante said in a prepared statement. “We must now capitalize on our brand and market it nationally and globally to earn the highest value of our seafood. This commission and this plan is one step toward that goal.”
The funds for the program will be administered through the state Division of Marine Fisheries, with $100,00 allocated to fund the program. The bill calls for the head of the DMF, Paul Diodati, to create a steering committee.
Read the full story at the Gloucester Daily Times