Tag Archives: Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick

Commerce chief Ross makes waves, roils fisheries rules

September 21, 2017   Gulf of Mexico, Mid Atlantic, National, New England

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has wasted little time in giving a jolt to the nation’s fisheries. In June, the 79-year-old billionaire investor who now oversees NOAA Fisheries singlehandedly extended the fishing season for red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico, ignoring protests from scientists and environmentalists that it could spur overfishing of the popular species. Then in an unprecedented decision in July, he handed a big win to New Jersey fishermen and the state’s Republican governor, Chris Christie, by overturning catch limits for summer flounder that had been approved by an interstate fisheries commission.,, “Secretary Ross finally challenged them — the first time in the history of the commission they got challenged — and they don’t like it,” said Donofrio, who gave the president a “Fishermen for Trump” bumper sticker at a recent event. “I love it. … The commission got kicked in the balls, and they don’t like it. That’s just too bad.” click here to read the story 12:27

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Guest View: Patrick should make Frank a senator

January 6, 2013   New England

He opposed onerous regulations such as the 10-year overfishing rebuilding schedule in the Magnuson-Stevens Act. He introduced the International Fisheries Agreement Clarification Act with Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine. The bill, which passed with strong support from Sen. Kerry, created a level playing field, allowing American negotiators on internationally managed stocks to be exempt from U.S. domestic fishing regulations as long as there is still progress toward stock rebuilding. Working closely with Republican Rep. Walter Jones of North Carolina, he organized a bipartisan coalition of coastal congressmen who work together regularly on issues of concern to fishermen. And when it became clear, as a result of an inspector general’s report, that our East Coast fishermen were having their rights trampled by NOAA, he arranged a face-to-face meeting between aggrieved fishermen and the secretary of commerce that resulted in a Cabinet-level apology and a return of fine money. Read more

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