Frank and New Bedford Fishermen Demand Improved Safety FISHING
FISHING
New Bedford Standard Times
Valerie Sullivan
Boston University Washington News Service
April 25, 2007
WASHINGTON, April 25 —In a hearing Wednesday on Capitol Hill, Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., and Debra M. Shrader, executive director of the non-profit commercial fishermen’s advocacy group Shore Support Inc. in New Bedford, called for improved regulations of fishing safety.
“Fisherman have voluntarily taken on one of the most dangerous jobs in America,” Rep. Frank said.
He acknowledged the inevitability of tragedy among fisherman. “But we can do better,” he said.
Ms. Shrader has a special interest in the regulations, because her husband, Ronnie Shrader, is a scallop boat captain.
“There are some things about industrial fishing that [fishermen and their wives] know are matters of nature and man that we cannot impact,” she said. “I know each time we embrace each other for that last hug when we say goodbye, it could be the very last hug.”
But there are ways to decrease those risks, she said.
In her testimony before the House Transportation Committee’s Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation subcommittee, Ms. Shrader emphasized safety training, dockside and vessel inspections, and captains’ certification.
Rep. Frank also called for such changes.
In his testimony he outlined a series of recommended changes, including a fully-funded volunteer training program, increased funds to open up communication with the Coast Guard, expansion of dockside inspection, a vessel monitoring system, safety standards for smaller vessels and logging of monthly fishing vessel drills.
Rep. Steven LaTourette, R-Ohio, who is the senior Republican on the subcommittee, echoed Rep. Frank’s concern about “this whole notion of the tension between safety” and prosperity, citing the conflict when fishermen must decide whether to turn around and go back to shore due to bad weather and choose to lose a day of fishing, or face inclement – and often dangerous – weather to hold onto the prospect of earning their livelihood that day.
Not all subcommittee members insisted on immediate changes. Rep. Gene Taylor, D-Miss., told one committee witness, “My fear is if Congress overreacts…. I know the consequences of overregulation.” He said he feared a backlash in the future, leading to a lack of regulation in response.
Most of the hearing, however, emphasized the need for improved safety regulations and methods by which to achieve them.
The North East has experienced its share of fishing vessel tragedies in recent years. On Dec. 4, 2004, the fishing vessel Northern Edge sank about 45 miles off Nantucket, killing five. In January of this year, four fishermen were lost in the New Bedford vessel Lady of Grace. In February, two were missing after the Newburyport-based fishing vessel Lady Luck disappeared 12 miles off the coast of Maine.
