State Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, renewing his call to confront “serious threats to the survival of the groundfish industry in Massachusetts,” has filed legislation aimed at putting the state’s clout behind marketing seafood products.
Tarr, the Gloucester Republican, said his bill is aimed at aiding an industry that remains caught in a federally recognized “economic disaster” since September 2012 and now continues to deal with NOAA-imposed groundfishing landing limits of up to 78 percent in the current fishing year, which runs through 30 April.
The bill, which has already gained House side co-sponsorship from Gloucester-based Democratic state Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante, calls for the establishment of a Massachusetts Seafood Marketing Program within the state’s Division of Marine Fisheries.
