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 