Commercial Fisheries Commission (CFC)

This public body allows for enhanced communication between members of the commercial fishing industry and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, specifically as it relates to the sustainability of the state’s commercial fishing industry on matters related to the commercial fishing industry.

Who we serve

The Commercial Fisheries Commission (CFC) was established by the Massachusetts legislature in 2022 (Section 79 of the Chapter 179 of the Acts of 2022)—An Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind. Its purpose is to develop and recommend strategies, methods, and tools to promote the sustainability of the commonwealth’s commercial fishing industry and address the responsible development of offshore energy projects’, as well as resulting mitigation and support strategies. Annually, the CFC will produce an annual report for the Massachusetts Legislature. 

The CFC will meet four times a year to address ongoing matters of importance and emerging issues related to commercial fisheries. The Consensus Building Institute (CBI) is currently providing support services to administer this public body through Pat Field (pfield@cbi.org) and Abby Fullem (afullem@cbi.org). For more information on the Commercial Fisheries Commission, please contact Bradlie Morgan at the Division of Marine Fisheries (bradlie.morgan@mass.gov). 

Next Meeting:

12:30PM on June 27, 2025 - DFW Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough MA

  • Agenda (posted 5:30 pm 6/20/25)
  • Meeting Materials 
  • YouTube 
  • Meeting Minutes


Upcoming Meetings:

View past CFC meeting documents

CFC Membership

The CFC is comprised of 19-members. Three members are state officials (or their appointees), including the Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, as well as the Directors of the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) and the Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM)—who serve as co-chairs. Additionally, there are 14 members appointed by the Governor who represent certain industry and research organizations specified in the enabling legislation.  

Current membership is as follows:

Daniel McKiernan – Co-Chair – Director, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

Alison Brizius – Co-Chair – Director, Office of Coastal Zone Management

Rebecca Tepper – Secretary, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

Katie Almeida – Responsible Offshore Development Alliance

Edward Barrett – Massachusetts Fishermen’s Partnership

Roger Berkowitz – Massachusetts Seafood Collaborative

Tim Brady – Stellwagen Bank Charter Boat Association 

Gordon Carr – New Bedford Port Authority  

Beth Casoni – Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association

Aubrey Church – Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance

Albert Cottone – Gloucester Fisheries Commission 

Vito Giacalone – Gloucester Fishing Community Preservation Fund

Eric Hansen – Fisheries Survival Fund

Pamela LaFreniere – Center for Sustainable Fisheries

Jackie Odell – Northeast Seafood Coalition

Angela Sanfilippo – Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Association

Kevin Stokesbury – University of Massachusetts School for Marine Science and Technology  

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