There was a story in the June 7th edition of the Boston Globe about several divers who were caught bringing up undersized lobsters. The NEADC felt that the article did not give an accurate picture of New England Divers, and has sent a letter to the editor of the Boston Globe.

You can see a sample of the text, and links to read the full article, and the NEADC's response below:

From the Boston Globe:
"...Problems with divers gathering undersized lobsters are common in the waters off Cape Ann, where the divers have irked lobstermen who have been working the water for generations, according to state and local police."

Link to full article from the Boston Globe and a copy saved on the NEADC website

NEADC Response:
"...The vast majority of divers enjoy the sport because of their love of the environment. The more they dive, the more they seek to protect that environment. The fact that a few divers are willing to break the law and degrade the environment does, unfortunately, stereotype all divers as scofflaws."

The tense coexistence of working lobstermen and recreational divers in the waters around Gloucester will continue as it has for years - governed by an ordinance neither side is inclined to obey.

But it was lobstermen who won a political victory Tuesday when a divided City Council rejected a "compromise" that would have repealed the city ordinance requiring each diver to take a red identification flag into the water.