Kendall: Charges Against Rafael Not Common Practice Among New Bedford Fishermen

For some it's a shock, while others had suspicions confirmed as prominent New Bedford fishing boat owner Carlos Rafael was hauled away in handcuffs by federal officials Friday.

Jim Kendall of New Bedford Seafood Consulting was caught off-guard by the accusations that Rafael had lied to the feds about his fishing quotas and sold excess fish to a New York buyer, especially in the midst of heavy oversight from NOAA. "Can you imagine trying to pull stuff like this when 25% of the trips are being monitored as part of their (NOAA's) average coverage? The observing capacity of the government is there. And I'm not sure how these people are able to pull it off, but from what they're claiming is that somehow Carlos was able to," said Kendall.

Speaking on "The Taylor Cormier Show," Kendall assured listeners the accusations against Rafael are not a common practice among fishermen today. "At one time there was a rash of unreported landings, and that was simply so that people could survive because we were bringing in so little fish. It did become a problem. We're under such scrutiny now that it surprises me that any of this is even able to go on."

Rafael owns over 30 fishing vessels in the New Bedford harbor, many of which are not in operation. Many are left to wonder if Friday's shake-up will have a ripple effect on the industry. Kendall suggests the charges against Rafael could have major implications along New Bedford's waterfront. "He is the groundfish industry in New Bedford as it stands today. Irrespective of what he's being accused of, there's an awful lot of people that are linked to Carlos' businesses and his boats. I'm hoping that he doesn't tip that scale too far in one direction."

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell says most of Rafael's boats are draggers, with groundfish monetary value coming in third to scallops and surf clams as far as New Bedford's catch is concerned. "The port is much bigger than Carlos Rafael. My concern is the people that get a paycheck and earn their livelihoods from him, to make sure that they're not put in a more difficult position."