Positions & Letters

As we work with fishermen, community members, public officials and scientists to ensure the economic success and sustainability of the Cape’s small boat fleets, we often need to advocate through written testimony and letters of support. Below you will find some of our recent letters or letters we signed on to, covering a variety of topics.

Letter to NOAA regarding Executive Order 14276: Restoring America’s Seafood Competitiveness- October 12, 2025
Letter to USDA regarding Reorganization – September 29, 2025
Letter to NOAA/GARFO regarding pending Exempted Fishing Permit proposal by CFRF/Red’s Best: “Increasing Trip Limits to Promote Full Utilization of the Skate Wing Fishery.” – June 3, 2025
Letter to Groundfish PDT about Cod -October 16, 2024
Letter to NOAA regarding Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management Road Map – August 28, 2024
Letter to EPA about LOCNESS Project – July 8, 2024
Letter to BOEM regarding Proposed Sale Notice in the Gulf of Maine – June 27, 2024
Letter to the New England Fishery Management Council with respect to Atlantic Herring Amendment 10 Scoping – April 24, 2024
Letter to BOEM on Environmental Assessment of Wind Energy Area in the Gulf of Maine – April 15, 2024
Letter to Senator Markey requesting a hearing between the Highly Migratory Species Coordinators and harpoon permitted vessels to discuss concerns over harpoon fishing around mobile vessels – December 13, 2023
Letter to BOEM regarding draft Wind Energy Area in the Gulf of Maine – November 16, 2023
Letter signed on with other Seafood sectors on Farm Bill priorities to USDA – September 25, 2023
Letter to BOEM regarding commercial wind energy leasing in the Gulf of Maine – June 9, 2023
Letter to NOAA Fisheries concerning draft National Seafood Strategy – March 9, 2023
Letter in opposition to adding dogfish & skate to CITES – May 4, 2022
Letter to Marine Stewardship Council to oppose the proposed revised MSC standards for dogfish – Mar. 31, 2022
Letter to Seafood Watch commenting on proposed downgrading of status based on effectiveness of the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan – Mar. 28, 2022
John Pappalardo’s testimony on behalf of the Fishing Communities Coalition before the Water, Oceans and Wildlife Subcommittee House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources – Nov. 16, 2021
Letter to Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team commenting on proposed changes to the gillnet fisheries – October, 2021
Letter on proposed rule for Draft Amendment 13 to the proposed rule for Draft Amendment 13 to the Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan regarding bluefin tuna – September 2021
Letter from New England Fishery Management Council, which CEO John Pappalardo serves on, and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council regarding wind energy
Letter from Mass. federal delegation to Sec. of Agriculture supporting haddock chowder program and having USDA buy more locally caught fish
Letter in support of upgrading the port Rock Harbor – June, 2021
Letter to Commander of First Coast Guard District supporting Chatham’s concern with decision to downgrade operational capabilities of Small Boat Station Chatham – May, 2021
Letter to state Coastal Zone Management supporting Chatham’s request for Coastal Resilience grant for dredging – May, 2021
Letter to Secretary of Interior on how to make fisheries more resilient to shifting oceanographic conditions – April, 2021
Letter of concern on the wind development process from Responsible Offshore Development Alliance, RODA – April, 2021
Letter to state Division of Marine Fisheries on proposed fixed gear regulations and protected species – December, 2020
Letter supporting new national guidelines including benefits of eating more seafood – August, 2020
Comment letter on National Marine Fisheries Service proposed rule on Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat – December, 2017