Quotas, Consolidation Pounds N.E. Fleet

by Brett Tolley, Aaron Dority, and Phil Karlin

Rally

Dave Chew cleaning fish aboard the Jamie and Ashley out of Gloucester on Jordan Basin. Low quota is forcing out many small fishing businesses. Fishermen know the biology and economics of fishing are widely misunderstood by the public. The fishermen know huge ships depleted stocks decades ago. When the 2014 deadline for rebuilding is reached, fishermen say only the handful of heavily capitalized ships will be there to reap what small boat fishermen sacrificed so much to rebuild. ©Photo by Sam Murfitt



“I have witnessed first hand the “excessive consolidation” of various fisheries and can say that it most definitely is one of those disastrous changes that allows big money operations to eat up and buy out the independently-owned small family business at the expense of our local communities as well as the conservation of our oceans…”

– New York fisherman June 23 Council testimony

On June 23, the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) met in Portland, Maine. Fishermen’s testimony from New York, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island raised concern over the socio-economic shortcomings of Groundfish Amendment 16 (the new sector management plan adopted by NEFMC), and how those shortcomings could undermine the ecological objectives of the Amendment.

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Last Cannery May Be First Lobster Processor

by Brenda Tredwell

cannery


Gouldsboro August 25th - Gouldsboro selectmen unanimously reversed their decision, and will reconsider continuing the application process for a community development grant, but said they need more information from the Live Lobster Co. before they do so. Documents to be forwarded by Live Lobster include an equipment list with plant layout specs, along with 3-years of financial, and tax records.

 

It was announced on August 4th that Live Lobster Co. of Chelsea, Mass. would be the buyer of the former Bumble

 

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CONTENTS

Adventure, Living Up To Its Name

Last Cannery May Be First Lobster Processor

Editorial

The Commons

The Enforcers are Enforced

Fishermen’s Letter to President, Full Page in Newspaper

Fishermen Fishing

Racing Notes 2010

Things Are Happening at S.W. Boatworks in Lamoine

Frankenfish Poised to Climb From Shelf to Sea

Simultaneously Closed and Certified: Feds End Dogfish Landings

U.S. Atlantic Spiny Dogfish Fishery Seeks MSC Sustainability Certification

The End of the Bottom Line Project: Final Roundline Exchange for All Fishermen

46th Annual Lobster Festival at Winter Harbor

Moorings Serve Double-duty as Habitat

Common Ground Country Fair Marks 34th Year

Energy Tide 2

Letters to the Editor

Back Then

The Clamdigger (Part 2)

The Wrinkle

September Meeetings

Maine Fishermen’s Forum Scholarship Fundraiser

September Events

Working Waterways and Waterfronts National Symposium on Water

Capt. Mark East’s Advice Column