GLOUCESTER, Mass. — Mike Minogue, Republican gubernatorial candidate for governor, spent the morning in Gloucester meeting with local fishermen at Mortillaro Lobster to discuss the challenges facing Massachusetts’ fishing industry and the future of the Commonwealth’s working waterfronts.
Minogue’s visit comes amid growing concern about the safety risks fishermen face, rising costs, regulatory barriers, and loss of fishing space to offshore winds that threaten one of Massachusetts’ most important industries.
“The tragedy of the f/v Lily Jean is a harrowing reminder of the dangers our fishermen face every day,” said Mike Minogue. “Gloucester fishermen feed the world and fuel Massachusetts’ coastal economy. They do some of the hardest work in this state, risking their lives, and too often they’re met with red tape and climate ideology instead of support. The fishing industry isn’t just tradition. It’s part of our culture and identity. It’s also jobs, supply chains, and economic strength. It’s time to open access and rebuild the infrastructure these industries need to thrive.”
Fishing and lobstering remain a cornerstone of Massachusetts’ coastal economy, supporting thousands of jobs and sustaining communities like Gloucester that have powered the Commonwealth for generations. Minogue emphasized the need for accountable leadership that understands the realities of working waterfronts and prioritizes affordability, access, and economic opportunity.
The visit is part of Minogue’s ongoing effort to meet Bay Staters where they live and work, hear directly from those impacted by state policy, and advance solutions that keep Massachusetts the best place to live, work, and raise a family.