December 7, 2014 — Congressman-elect Seth Moulton continued his campaign in support of the commercial fishing industry today, saying fishermen should have a greater role in stock assessments and other areas of fishery management.
Speaking to about 50 people at the Gloucester Fishermen's Wives Association's annual meeting at The Gloucester House, Moulton said fishermen should be given a more active part in determining their own fate.
"A the end of the day, we all want the same thing, and that's a sustainable fishery" Moulton said. "The idea that there has to be continual conflict is the wrong way to look at it."
Moulton said NOAA Fisheries should concentrate on devising programs that call for more collaborative partnerships between the fishermen and the federal agency _ particularly its scientific elements _ to provide a more balanced and comprehensive system for determining the state of the fishery.