State Rep. Antonio F.D. Cabral says if elected mayor, he would fight for the betterment of fishing industry.
According to the press statement issue by state Rep. Antonio F.D. Cabral, after becoming mayor he would continue fisheries litigation started under Mayor Scott W. Lang, fight to reshape the Department of Marine Fisheries, work with the Department of Commerce to re-examine fisheries management and push to increase catch limits.
In his statement Cabral highlights his stances and thoughts on the fishing industry and will continue lobbying the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to increase allowable catch limits by 50 percent “and achieve mesh size parity with Canada.” He also said to re-examine fisheries management and want to develop a more “more streamlined, efficient system that depends less on observers and more on landing assessments.”
He called Pate Report as irresponsive to industry needs. Cabral also speaks of “troubling enforcement procedures in fishing ports throughout New England. Cabral also says he has a bill that would promote the Division of Marine Fisheries to a new department, to an office that has a mission of promoting the commercial fishing industry.
As per Cabral statement this proposal would reorient the Marine Fisheries office from one focused on regulation, to one focused on business development for commercial fishing and related businesses. There will funds available for necessary development projects. Cabral will task his city solicitor with pursuing fisheries litigation first filed by Lang, who is not running for re-election.
Cabral admits the need of various opportunities to grow the fishing industry without depleting the stocks. He added that despite the importance and success of fishing industry, federal catch restrictions cost its port millions in an annual revenue, and the city loses millions more in lost opportunities for supporting businesses.
