Tag Archives: State Sen. Heather Somers

Vineyard Wind turbine farm draws CT fishing industry concern

December 10, 2021   New England

During a meeting Thursday of the Connecticut Commission on Environmental Standards, a collection of regulators, fisherman and politicians, some members suggested that pledged research funding be directed toward protecting fishermen. State Sen. Heather Somers, R-Groton and a commission member, said she was particularly concerned about fisherman based in New London and Stonington. “One of my biggest concerns is the impact on local fishing fleets,” Somers said. “We don’t need a university studying something that does not help our local fishing communities,” Somers noted, referencing the University of Connecticut’s role in the project. >click to read< 08:41

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Stonington Commercial Fishermen Catch A Break

July 7, 2019   National

The New Law Has One Catch, But A Stonington Fisherman Says It’s A Good Catch – The only catch is that the agreement is for a very particular fish and season; the summer flounder, or fluke, from January to April. Andrew Williams 22, a fourth generation fisherman from Stonington, currently working on F/V McKenzie Paige, says being able to offload in more than one state is a good thing and may help sustain the future of commercial fishing in Stonington. Williams praised the new law saying it provides myriad benefits in that important, and short, winter season. >click to read< 10:54

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Somers introduces bill to help Stonington fishermen

February 11, 2019   New England

State Sen. Heather Somers, R-18th District, has introduced a bill that she said Sunday would help Stonington fishermen stay afloat amid the sea of federal and state regulations that are hurting their businesses. The bill is scheduled to have a public hearing before the legislature’s Environment Committee on Friday. It would let Connecticut enter into agreements with bordering states to allow commercial fishermen from Connecticut to legally carry fish earmarked for one state into another state’s port without penalty — making the schedules and lives of fishermen economically and logistically easier. >click to read<08:18

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