[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 149 (Thursday, October 15, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2549]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  ``FRIENDS OF THE FISHING INDUSTRY''

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BARNEY FRANK

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 15, 2009

  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, I have never learned more 
in my life than I have learned since 1992 when at the vote of the 
Massachusetts Legislature, the city of New Bedford and the town of 
Fairhaven were included in the congressional district I represent. 
These two communities together form the most successful fishing port in 
the U.S., and that industry enriches New Bedford and the surrounding 
areas not just economically but culturally and socially as well.
  One of the leaders in that industry is Jim Kendall, a fisherman 
himself who has served in a number of important posts in helping 
preserve that industry and protect it against adversity.
  He recently wrote an eloquent introduction to the announcement of the 
Friend of the Fishing Industry Award, which was presented to two men to 
whom the Greater New Bedford Area is greatly indebted: Raymond and 
Richard Canastra.
  These two brothers have, as Jim Kendall's statement points out, been 
extremely creative in providing support for this industry. The work 
they have done for the open display auction confounded many skeptics 
who thought that it would never work, but their success in New Bedford 
has in fact been so widely hailed that it's led to the recent opening 
of a similar facility in Boston, helping revive a fishing port that had 
been declining to some extent.
  Madam Speaker, I join Jim Kendall and others in the fishing industry 
and subsidies in Massachusetts in thanking Ray and Richie Canastra for 
their work and I ask that Jim Kendall's statement be printed here as an 
example of the kind of economic leadership individuals can provide to 
their community.
                                                 Offshore Mariners


                                           Wives' Association,

                                               September 27, 2009.

       Introduction of 2009's ``Friends of the Fishing Industry''

       This year's award to the Friend of the Fishing Industry is 
     a bit different as we are proud to announce that the award is 
     going to not just one, but two individuals. Not only have 
     they contributed to the fishing industry here in New Bedford, 
     but their efforts have extended throughout New England.
       It's not often that you find two people who have come so 
     far in a relatively short period of time, and who have 
     returned so much to the industry that they obviously care so 
     much about. Their innovation and foresight has not only 
     proven to be a sound business venture for them, but a boon 
     and stabilizing factor for the Greater New Bedford fishing 
     fleet. It hasn't stop there either, their fortitude and 
     determination now has extended to the ports of Gloucester and 
     Boston.
       They pioneered the concept of the open display auction here 
     in New Bedford at a time and place when many of us doubted it 
     could succeed. In 1985 through 1986 the industry had gone 
     through a traumatic strike that changed the way business had 
     been done for many years. The New Bedford seafood auction 
     ceased to exist, and a buyers auction that replaced it, had 
     also closed its doors. The industry was in turmoil, with 
     little or no sense of balance that had existed for years 
     before. The sale of a trip was as hard and as uncertain, as 
     was the fishing trip itself.
       They felt that an open display auction could work and 
     benefit the fishermen, and the port of New Bedford, and they 
     set about to prove it. It wasn't easy, it never is trying to 
     convince people that there is a better way to do their 
     business, business that they had been doing in basically the 
     same way for years. They have proven that they were right, 
     and the New Bedford fishing industry has benefited greatly 
     because of it. The auction has provided stability to the sale 
     of fresh fish and scallops, along with the recognition that 
     New Bedford is still the port to go to for your best seafood.
       Their efforts in beginning the auction and the continued 
     developments, have helped the port of New Bedford regain the 
     title of the richest fishing port in the country, and 
     continues to help us maintain that distinction.
       Recently they opened another display auction in the port of 
     Boston, that is attracting fishing vessels to a port that was 
     all but abandoned by the fishing industry. This is in direct 
     contradiction to what has been occurring elsewhere, with the 
     devastating changes for other ports that have lost not only 
     their auctions, but their fishing industries and communities.
       Their involvement has deepened over the years with them 
     becoming deeply involved with the management process and 
     fishery science. Working with, most notably, Drs. Brian 
     Rothschild and Kevin Stokesbury from the School for Marine 
     Science and Technology at the University of Massachusetts, 
     Dartmouth. They have also helped to organize the fishermen 
     not only here in New Bedford, but in Gloucester as well.
       What may turn out to be one of their most important 
     innovations is the Project to Save Seafood and Ocean 
     Resources, along with its associated website, 
     Savingseafood.org.
       At a time when information is king, providing factual and 
     unadulterated information to the American public is crucial. 
     There is a desperate need to show the American consumer the 
     value of New Bedford seafood, and the efforts that the New 
     Bedford and New England fishermen have taken in order to 
     provide them with healthy seafood. There is also a need to 
     inform the consumer how we are striving to provide them their 
     healthy seafood in a safe and sustainable manner. The 
     American consumer and public also needs to know what the 
     fishermen and their industry has gone through in order to 
     bring this to them. I encourage you to visit the website at 
     www.savingseafood.org.
 Richie lives in North Dartmouth, with his wife Roberta, and 
     their two lovely daughters, Sophia, and Noella. Raymond lives 
     in Rochester with his wife Debbie and their two children 
     Cassie and Kyler.
       It gives me great pleasure to present ``The Friend of the 
     Fishing Industry Award'' to two men whom I'm proud to have 
     worked with over the years, my friends; Raymond and Richard 
     Canastra.

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