fishing

Two people have been rescued and two others are still missing after a boat sank about 10 miles off the coast of Nantucket.

Representatives of the fishermen and others affected by NOAA's decision to halt commercial groundfishing in Sector IX due to the actions of "The Codfather" Carlos Rafael have crafted a letter explaining why they feel the decision was unjust.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell says as many as 80 fishermen could be affected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's decision to withdraw the operations plan for Sector IX earlier this week and halt all groundfishing in that sector immediately.

The federal government says a group of commercial fishing operations dominated by a magnate known as "The Codfather" will be shut down for the rest of the season.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell testified before a Congressional subcommittee Tuesday in Washington, DC that Congress should consider amending the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, while the statute is under consideration for reauthorization.

Carlos Rafael, New Bedford's most prominent fisherman, is scheduled to be sentenced this week in federal court in Boston.

Governor Charlie Baker has sided with a dozen state lawmakers and local officials who are urging the proceeds from the forfeiture of "Codfather" Carlos Rafael's fishing fleet, and any financial penalties tied to his case, be used to pay for electronic catch monitoring.

The U.S. Interior secretary is giving voice to the return of commercial fishing to a year-old marine national monument about 130 miles southeast of Cape Cod, a move that addresses concerns raised by the industry but was blasted Monday by environmental groups.

The Conservation Law Foundation has sent three letters to several individuals associated with the prosecution of Carlos Rafael, expressing deep concern over the case.

Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts Karyn Polito couldn't escape questions surrounding the fishing monument controversy.