Jackie Odell of the Northeast Seafood Coalition has written a response to the recent Gloucester Daily Times editorial on proposals added to the federal economic stimulus package for the New England fishing industry.
"Stunning” is perhaps the most apt characterization of your editorial concerning the heroic efforts of Senator Kennedy and Kerry and other enlightened New England Senators to champion a business plan thoughtfully crafted by the New England groundfish industry for achieving a sustainable future.
If the GDT had done its homework it would have realized that the plan was developed, submitted to Congress, and actively supported by the Northeast Seafood Coalition, the Associated Fisheries of Maine, and the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen’s Association. Collectively, these organizations virtually define the New England groundfish industry.
The GDT would have learned that the business plan represents our industry’s intensive, best efforts to achieve the complex transition from an inefficient effort-based management system to a state-of-the art system that closely monitors and manages catch directly. The plan holds fishermen to a high standard of accountability through a catch-based management system, as is required by the new and substantially more stringent mandates under the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
But, we have to get there from here. Thus, inherent to this transitional process is the need to restructure our industry to substantially improve its efficiency as well. The buyout portion of the business plan represents an essential tool to achieve this efficiency and represents the alternative to widespread bankruptcies that will freeze capital and cripple the local economies of fishing communities like Gloucester. It is structured after a plan developed by a broad-based working group of industry leaders with the assistance of the Massachusetts DMF. It is completely voluntary but we expect a great deal of participation. It may not be pretty, but it is our only viable option.
The GDT apparently failed to consult with those directly engaged to provide you with a necessary understanding of the full stimulus proposal and associated business plan. You wonder where is the stimulus? Using an economic multiplier provided by federal fishery economists, our business plan is projected to generate 3,500 jobs, $139 million in employee and proprietor income, and raise the annual sales value of our fishery from $250m to $400m. We feel pretty stimulated.
More jobs and better jobs. A sustainable, fully utilized resource and a sustainable future for our industry. A stable fisheries economy in Gloucester. We find it stunning that the GT presumes to know much more about what will provide the best future for the New England groundfish fishery than those that are passionately dedicated to preserving its future. The GDT needs to apologize to our Senators and set the record straight.
Jackie Odell, Northeast Seafood Coalition