The Mayor’s Ocean and Fisheries Council Meeting December 9, 2010 The Waterfront Grille, New Bedford MA
Meeting Summary
The Mayor’s Ocean and Fisheries Council met December 9, 2010 at the Waterfront Grille in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The meeting was held to discuss the performance of fisheries management and the current state of the fishery. The emphasis of this meeting was the human component of the system: the community, fishermen and their families. Perspectives from crew members, processors, sector managers and boat owners were presented. In addition, updates on the progress of litigation, skates, herring and closed areas were provided. More than seventy people attended the meeting representing industry, academia and politicians from Rhode Island to Maine.
Responsiveness
A theme that united all of the speakers was responsiveness or, more specifically, the lack thereof. More than five weeks ago the Governor of Massachusetts delivered a request for Emergency Action, and the supporting economic and scientific information, to the Secretary of Commerce. To date there has been no response. The report demonstrated that catch limits could be increased within both sustainable and legal bounds. In addition, the report defined the economic emergency in Massachusetts. Local, state and federal officials have vowed to continue pursuing a response. However, it is clear that if, or when, the response does come it may be too late for many fishermen and their families that have already suffered significant financial and personal losses.
Over a year ago we requested an analysis that would investigate the utility of the closed areas. There has been no response to this request, yet the need for such an analysis is still there.
Common Sense Solutions
It appears in several fisheries there are glaring examples of the disconnect between common sense and fisheries management.
Herring
It is difficult to fathom how Georges Bank haddock could be a choke species; however, for the northeast herring fishery this is a reality. Artificially low haddock bycatch caps threaten to shut down the herring fleet, which has already caught approximately 80% of their haddock allocation. The herring fleet is allocated less than 0.2% of the haddock TAC. It is useful to note that the multispecies fishery catches less than 10% of their haddock TAC. Given the chronic underfishing of the haddock stock, and the potential economic harm a herring shut down would cause, an increase in the haddock cap is justified for the herring industry.
Skates
Since the end of August fishermen have been limited to an incidental trip limit of 500 pounds in the wing fishery; the reduced trip limit was triggered when the catch reached 80% of the total allowable landings (TAL). Since the implementation of the Skate Fishery Management Plan, the wing-fishery has been managed with a 20,000 pound trip limit. During that period the target species little and winter skate have recovered. New information suggests that both of these species have exceeded their biomass targets and are fully rebuilt. The increase in the biomass of the targeted skate species (in the wing and bait fisheries) under the 20,000 pound trip limit suggests that this level of exploitation was sustainable. In light of the social and economic hardship caused by the current skate regulations, and the new survey data, an increase to the trip limit is justified. For more information, a white paper on the reinterpretation of the skate regulations has been attached.
Perspectives
When looking at the aggregate numbers, particularly revenue, it is often concluded that things are looking up for New England’s fishermen; however, this view of the system is an incomplete one.
In New Bedford it appears that while the revenue is up the effects of the new regulations on individual vessels has been varied. While there are some individuals who have thrived under the new system, many of the small operations are struggling to make ends meet. Similar to the story in New Bedford, Rhode Island’s revenues are up if you look at the NMFS overview; however, the situation for most fishermen is bleak. Even vessels that have experienced an increase in revenues this first quarter are playing catch up, unable to break even. Rhode Island, like so many New England ports, was broken before sectors. Rising costs and decreasing quotas have created a situation in which a select few are able to break even.
Beyond the vessels, the infrastructure that supports and is supported by the fishery is suffering. Reduced volume of groundfish, and notably skates, has caused processors to layoff hundreds of employees in Massachusetts alone.
The limited supply has affected the consumer as well. Fish prices are anywhere from 30 to 70% higher than they were last year, making it difficult for many families to purchase fresh, locally caught fish.
Often overlooked are the effects of regulatory changes on members of the crew and fishing families. However, it is here that the most devastating effects are experienced. Fishing is a way of life, a culture. When a family member loses his boat, sells his allocation, or loses his job it affects the entire household and all others depended on the business. The effects of financial hardship and strained families are not limited to those directly involved – the entire community suffers.
A common sentiment among the fishermen that spoke was that they are not looking for a hand-out; they just want to be able to go to work.
Concluding Thoughts
To truly understand the consequences of Amendment 16, or any regulations for that matter, it is critical to analyze all components of the system. From owner to crew, shore-side businesses, communities, and families, we need to ask how this affects them.
prepared by:
Emily F. Keiley
ekeiley@umassd.edu