On June 28, NOAA Fisheries announced its appointment of 22 new and returning members to the eight regional fishery management councils that manage fish populations in U.S. oceans in partnership with NOAA Fisheries Service. Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance CEO John Pappalardo was reappointed to an at-large seat on the New England Fishery Management Council for another three year term. Governor Charlie Baker nominated him in March. John was originally appointed in January of 2015. His new term will begin on August 12.
Commercial fishermen from Cape Cod thanked Governor Baker and the New England delegation for their support in keeping a Cape and Islands voice on the Council, as well as Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and NOAA’s Assistant Administrator for Fisheries Chris Oliver for making it happen. The regional body is responsible for developing management plans for federal commercial and recreational fisheries and is made up of representatives from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and the National Marine Fisheries Service.
“We are thankful to all who have recognized John’s important contributions on the Council and who have made sure that he could continue his good work there,” says fisherman Nick Muto, captain of the f/v Miss Evelyn and f/v Dawn T, who is also chairman of the Fishermen’s Alliance board of directors. “John’s been an incredible advocate for the Cape Cod small-boat fishing fleet. We’re committed to making sure the next generation of fishermen can continue to bring seafood to market, so John’s participation in the Council is critical to us.”
“The Council needs to hear from the Cape and Islands fishermen, and I am grateful to be a strong voice for them,” says Pappalardo. “There are so many issues at stake; my job is to keep on top of all the changing regulations and bring the fishermen together to reason out what’s best for our community and how to make our voices heard in the federal arena. I am proud to represent their view for the long-term success of our fisheries.”
Pappalardo was a member of the New England Fishery Management Council from 2002-2011. He served five of those years as its chairman. He has also been on the National Organics Safety Board and spent 13 years on the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission. He currently serves on the Joint Oceans Commission Initiative and the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce.
