Photo: Jeromey Russ/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Marine industry leaders and elected officials gathered at the Menino Convention Center Wednesday to talk about the state’s maritime economy.
This happened as the convention center hosted the 70th annual New England Boat Show, which runs from Wednesday to Sunday.
At the meeting, representatives with the MBTA and MassDOT said they are looking into improving the state's ferry system.
“We’re growing the network and thinking about how we can do it better and be more intentional about how we set up a water transportation network,” MBTA Ferry Operations Director David Perry said.
The MBTA plans to collect data and feedback from commuters on potential changes to existing ferry routes, possible locations for new ferry routes and overall accessibility within the system.
Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said ferry service in Massachusetts should be on par with more established ferry services like those in New York and Seattle.
“We have talked about having water transportation for a long time, but really as a state haven’t been able to lean in there,” Driscoll said.
Meanwhile at the event, commercial fishermen discussed concerns about the economic pressures that affect the industry.
“Originally, when I started in the fishing industry it cost me $100,000 to own a house, a boat, the permits I needed and a pickup truck, and now that number for a coastal town like Marshfield where I live is probably a couple million dollars,” Edward Barrett, President of the Massachusetts Fishermen's Partnership said.
Another concern for the local maritime economy revolves around changing wildlife habits that are brought on by the effects of climate change.
“The question is: Will there be southern species coming up here that then will become commercially viable for Massachusetts fishermen?” said Robert Nagle, senior advisor with the John Nagle Seafood Company in Boston.
WBZ NewsRadio's Jeromey Russ (@JeromeyRuss) reports.