COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES  - February 23, 2021
MEETING AT 7:00 PM,
THIS MEETING IS BEING HELD REMOTELY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS' MARCH 12, 2020 ORDER SUSPENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE OPEN MEETING LAW G.L.C. 30A, SECTION 20 AND THE CITY COUNCIL'S VOTE TO WAIVE RULE 21A
AGENDA
 

THIS MEETING WILL BE LIVE STREAMED ON

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Chair Suggests 'No Further Action' and 'Report Out to the Full City Council'

 

1. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that members of the City Council, Mayor Mitchell, Congressman Keating, Senators Markey and Warren and our local State Legislative Delegation put together and hold an emergency summit in the City of New Bedford to address the crisis the fishing industry is facing relative to the Sector IX closings and the docking of our ground fishing boats that have sent a ripple effect through the fishing industry and its services, nearly 700 people in the industry have been affected by the closing; and further, that NOAA Director RDML Timothy Gallaudet, Ph.D., USN Ret., along with Coastal Director Jeffrey L. Payne, Ph.D., out of Washington D. C., along with President Donald Trump, any other agency’s representatives be invited to deal with this issue along with Regional Administrator Michael Pentony, SMAST Professor Dan Georgiana and the entire board members of Sectors IX and Vll, along with representatives from the fishing industry to include Richard Canastra of Seafood Exchange, Dr. Brian Rothschild and Mr. Thomas Kennedy and the Committee on Fisheries, the urgency of this summit being called is needed now and for the future of the fishing industry and what it means to the jobs and the economic stimulus of this waterfront City that has ranked first in the nation in dollars and cents when it comes to the fishing industry. (Ref’d 04/12/18)

 

2. COMMUNICATION, Councillor Gomes, submitting a copy of a letter from Dr. Brian Rothschild, regarding his support and assistance, if needed, to hold a summit regarding the economic and social crisis of our area groundfish industry. (To be Referred to the Committee on Fisheries.) (Ref’d 05/08/18)

 

3. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the Committee on Fisheries, request from the Office of the Inspector General, a copy of a report done in 2010 from NOAA, this request comes as the City Council continues to work on behalf of the fishing industry and bringing a summit to the City of New Bedford to discuss the ongoing devastation and economic loss to the City’s fishing industry. (Ref’d 05/24/18)

 

4. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Rebeiro, requesting, that the Committee on Fisheries meet to determine how the City can begin issuing Aquaculture Licenses pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 130, Section 57, for approved areas; and further, that Mayor Mitchell be asked to submit to the Committee on Fisheries a draft of the aquaculture licensing Ordinance proposal that his Administration has been working on for the Committee’s consideration and possible adoption; and further, that Port of New Bedford Director Edward Anthes-Washburn be invited to said Committee meeting. (Ref’d 08/16/18)

 

5. COMMUNICATION, Council President Morad and Councillor Rebeiro, submitting a copy of a letter to Dr. Gallaudet, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere requesting that New Bedford be the site of the new Northeast Fisheries Science Center. (Copy all Councillors via email October 9, 2018; To be Referred to the Committee on Fisheries.) (Ref’d 10/11/18)

 

6. COMMUNICATION, Council President Morad, submitting a copy of a letter from Mayor Mitchell, to Samuel Rauch, III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Program, National Marine Fisheries Science, urging the Fisheries Sciences to consider that Carlos Rafael sell off his fishing boats and permits to New Bedford-based businesses. (To be Referred to the Committee on Fisheries.) (Ref’d 12/13/18)

 

7. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Lima, Council President Lopes, Councillors Abreu and Gomes, requesting, that the Committee on Fisheries meet with Port of New Bedford Executive Director Edward C. Anthes-Washburn and the Deputy Director and In-House Counsel Pamela Lafreniere to discuss aquaculture business opportunities, the ongoing process and progress regarding the  establishment of regulations pertaining to aquaculture business opportunities, and the Committees willingness to work in connection with the Port of New Bedford towards the establishment of aquaculture businesses in New Bedford. (Ref’d 02/13/2020)

 

 

 

 

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if any accommodations are needed, please contact the Clerk of Committees Office at 508-979-1482.  Requests should be made as soon as possible but at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting.