To the editor:
The article by Richard Gaines, "Protest Brings Out Hidden Show of Force" (Times, Tuesday, Nov. 3) illustrates the dysfunction between the National Marine Fisheries Service and the fishermen.
We assembled to communicate our concerns with its panacea "catch share" policies, its outdated, faulty science and landings data, and the fact that Pew Charitable Trusts (Sun Oil) has infiltrated key positions at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminstration, NMFS, and our councils. It is apparent they don't trust us.
NMFS has been mismanaging our fisheries since 1976. Fishing fleets have been decimated and we have severe regulations. Pew still claims overfishing. Its solution to this "problem" is to make a public resource property of Big Business. Fishermen that are left have sacrificed.
Believe us, fish are back. They want more consolidation.
NMFS wants to implement a management plan that has been unsuccessful around the world. Read these individual transferable quota (ITQ) reports: Ecotrust-British Columbia fishery, Greenpeace, Leith Duncan-New Zealand fisheries and Percival Copes, Canadian fisheries. ITQ plans need to be carefully devised to protect small-boats, and coastal communities. NMFS has been failing for over 30 years. How can we expect it to be successful in such a complicated catch share program? Even its plan of fewer fishermen equals more fish is failing (according to Pew).
ITQs promote high grading, black market selling, price-dumping of fish and reporting less fish than caught. Costs associated with leasing and buying quota are extremely high.
Who's going to pay for it? The cost of fish to the consumer goes up and fishermen make less profit. The man with the money (in the middle), who is not a fishermen and not a resident, laughs all the way to the bank. The job loss will be horrendous and it may promote over fishing. It will increase effort in state waters.
If NOAA/NMFS has anything to support this "catch shares" ideal, why don't they come out with it? Instead "catch share" workshops provided by EDF (Environmental Defense Fund,Pew-backed) and Pew "catch share" teleconferences are being held. Isn't this our government agencies' responsibility? Red flag! People, open up your eyes.
We are being shoved off a cliff. Will you go down like sheep? The key to our success will be networking, organizing, uniting, spreading the truth and it's time to start acting offensively.
This affects you — and who knows, your industry may be next.
mary beth depoutiloff
Provincetown
