The Obama administration consistently says it is focused on job creation. But there are more signs than ever that just doesn't apply to the fishing industry.
There are just weeks to go before the start of a new regulatory regime, imposed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, that could put as many as half of the region's current commercial fishermen out of business.
The net effect is expected to reduce the revenue from the ground-fishery by 32 percent, according to the government's own numbers.
Estimates of business failures in the industry, largely based in New Bedford and Gloucester, are 50 percent or higher.
This impending disaster has prompted U.S. Sen. John Kerry and five congressmen, including John Tierney, D-Salem, to petition the U.S. Secretary of Commerce for an emergency executive action to bring economic relief, at least through 2014, when stocks are expected to be rebuilt and the industry rebounds. The letter also has the outspoken support of Massachusetts' new Republican U.S. senator, Scott Brown.
Read the complete editorial at The Gloucester Daily Times.