According to the information the proposal is put forth by Rep. James Cantwell, D-Marshfield. It is said that the proposal would create a 13-member panel that would be tasked with investigating the feasibility of a statewide coordinated seafood marketing program.
Cantwell expressed that the promotion of Massachusetts-branded seafood could attract consumers interested in buying local foods and provide a boost to the state’s struggling fishing industry. He was addressing the legislators at a meeting of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. It is told that the proposal would create a commission that would come up with ideas about how to brand or label Massachusetts seafood.
Cantwell told that the commission would be made up entirely of volunteers and would require no state funding. Committee member Rep. Timothy Madden, D-Nantucket informed that self-promoting is a good thing and branding is the same. He supports the concept of a seafood marketing program, but worries that too broad a brand could end up hurting some fishermen if lower- and higher-quality fish are all sold together under one label.
Andy Baler, owner of the Chatham Pier Fish Market and the Nantucket Fish Co., believes Massachusetts has a lot of catching up to do when it comes to promoting the fishing industry. He would like to see Massachusetts fisheries pursue Marine Stewardship Council certification for sustainable fishing, which could open up wider markets for Cape Cod fishermen.
