Mitchell Proposes Changes To Fishing Law

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell took a trip to Gloucester Tuesday, making an important pitch to key congressmen.

Mayor Mitchell spoke before Congressman John Tierney and Congressman Peter DeFazio, the Ranking Member on the House Committee on Natural Resources. The committee is working on the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and Mayor Mitchell clued the congressmen in on New Bedford's fishing interests, and what improvements could be made to the law that governs the fishing industry.

One improvement, Mitchell says, is improved stock assessment, which could be obtained through collaborative research and updated technology.

Mitchell would also like to see more flexible management and improved accountability measures as part of the reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Act.