I rarely get political in these pages but I don’t think enough people understand just how big an impact the proposed privatizing our fisheries through sectors will have on our community. Richard Gaines at The Times has been doing an excellent job covering it at the Gloucester Times but my guess is that most people outside of fishermen are skimming over the articles because the rules and regulations are very difficult to understand.
If the privatization of the fisheries occurs it will really change the entire character of the fishing industry in Gloucester. It’s not even up for debate. Within a couple of generations there will no longer exist the independent local fisherman.
I’m not sure the common public understands how far reaching and disastrous to our community the impact of what being proposed is.
Non-fishermen probably don’t get it because the rules and how it all works is a little too complex for them to understand but make no mistake- If what they propose happens, a huge part of our heritage goes in the history books as a memory.
The whole reason why many people choose to become fishermen- the independence and ability to get out what you’re willing to put in as far as work- vanishes.
Eventually fishing permits will be gobbled up by big corporations and all the kids coming up become hired hands and that’s all they’ll ever be. Never being able to afford their own permits or boats, they will simply be employees of some large conglomerate fishing operation which in all likelihood won’t even be owned by an entity in our state let alone city.
Good Morning Gloucester 
Thank you, Joe. Everything you said makes perfect sense. One thing we just don’t seem capable of learning is that privatization is a killer….
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Joey please find out who we can write or call to voice our opinion conserning this matter . people need to know it will not affect just the fishermen but (all) of gloucester and the surrounding areas. I moved to AZ. to relax and get out of the cold (but) miss gloucester and lobstering so much i’ll be coming back this month to look for another lobster boat to buy and wanted to pass on lobstering and my business to my grandson. doing this to the fishing business in gloucester is bullshit !!! the rich get richer and men and women who want to work for themselfs get tossed out ? are we now living in Russia or Cuba ? Big Brother watch out because the people are watching you to. Thanks for bringing this up Joey we all need to write , call or vist or state reps to voice our consern on this. it’s not somethin that will go away. it’s easier for the state goverment to monotor and regulate a few companys than alot of independent fishermen working for them selfs their just being lazy and i am sure alot of kickbacks from those big companys will be happening . BULLSHIT / BULLSHIT / BULLSHIT !!!
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Could you write up ways regular citizens can help fight this? I grew up in Iowa and I saw the demise of small family run farms. Now, it’s mainly huge corporate farms and a lot of the heart and soul of that state has vanished. I don’t want this to happen to the fishermen. Any people we can contact to help support the independent fishermen? With the big push to buy sustainable food, I think a lot of people would care if it was brought to their attention.
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Joey, please post this on CapeAnnPolitics.Org. We have a thread about catch shares going in the Regional/State area with links to it from the four town areas (Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester, Essex).
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Not being in the industry, it is hard for us to get into this issue to effect change in any kind of credible manner. Would you be willing to draft a letter that we could forward on to reps? I’d be willing to send it out and pass it along to others to do the same.
Also, if you think a flyer would help, I would design it if you gave me some copy to start with . . .
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It’s really not my fight Beth. It’s the fishermen’s fight and it should come from them to be more credible IMO. But I really appreciate your willingness to help out. 🙂
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Joey, I was down at The Man at the Wheel Saturday (check out my flicker pictures) and I saw a tear in his eye. So sad.
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