NEW BEDFORD, Mass. -- Scallopers in New Bedford honored Gov. Deval Patrick at a luncheon Friday for his efforts in supporting area fishermen in regulation talks.
Scallop boat owners and fishermen in New Bedford, and all of New England, are locked in a battle with regulators. Currently, scallopers are allowed to fish only 42 days a year.
"Our days at sea were reduced by 40 percent by the New England Fisheries Management Council in December. The governor got right on the phone and he talked to the chair of the council and set up a meeting," said John Murray, scallop boat owner.
A year ago, the governor talked with scallopers and learned of their situation. He then made a successful argument to the council.
"We got those days at sea back and that translates into about 8 million additional pounds of scallops that fishermen will be able to harvest this year which will probably translate into about $100 million into to the local economy. It was huge for the fishermen and fishermen's families," Murray said.
Scallopers said Friday's luncheon was a celebration of reasonable regulations and a chance for fishermen to keep plying their trade.
"The future looks great for the scallop fisheries," Murray said.
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