New Bedford Mayor disappointed NEFM council’s decision to halt work on the Northern Edge

“Mayor Jon Mitchell issued the following statement on the New England Fishery Management Council’s decision to halt work on the Northern Edge:

“I am disappointed by the New England Fishery Management Council’s decision last week after scant public notice to reverse itself and halt further discussion of the opening of the Northern Edge scallop access area.

The decision comes less than three months after the Council voted to advance the opening of the Northern Edge, which was grounded in more than a decade of research showing that scallops are abundant in the area. Halting work on the Northern Edge so abruptly is an affront to scallop fishermen who were given every reason to believe that the council was working toward a fair, long-term solution.”

Mayor Mitchell testified before the council in April (pictured), urging the board to open the Northern Edge to New Bedford fishermen. Read his letter to the board on our website.”-City of New Bedford.