Gloucester—Community leaders will host a candlelight vigil against unfair fishery enforcement practices on Wednesday, July 8, 2009, at 7:00 pm. The vigil will begin at Gloucester City Hall and march to the Man at the Wheel on Stacey Boulevard.

State Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester), State Senator Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) and Gloucester Mayor Carolyn Kirk (D-Gloucester) along with the fishing community invite all members of the Cape Ann Community to attend.

The event is in protest of the overreaching and heavy handed practices of the Office of NOAA General Counsel and Enforcement Division of the National Marine Fisheries Service. In recent months, the State Legislature and Attorney General Martha Coakley have questioned and criticized these practices. In response, the Federal Delegation requested an Inspector General’s investigation of allegations made by the fishing industry, which was granted last month.

Ferrante said, “This vigil is an opportunity for the entire community to come together to support their neighbors in asking for an end to the overzealous, heavy-handed actions of NOAA and NMFS enforcement. Throughout the district, many, not just those directly involved in the fishing industry, have expressed their anger and disappointment with this governmental agency. I welcome all to attend.”

Tarr stated, “We must send a clear message as a community that we expect our hard working fishing families to be treated fairly and with the respect they deserve. Together we can support a group of people that have dedicated their lives to an industry that feeds our nation and stem abuses in the system of fisheries enforcement.”

Kirk said, “The fishing industry remains an important contributor to our local economy and must be given every fair chance to succeed.”
 

Click here to see the calendar event for the Candelight Vigil