To the editor:
As managers of the two active Gloucester-based commercial fishing sectors, we felt it necessary to respond to Richard Gaines' Jan. 6, story headlined "$2M in local LNG funds sent south."
Established in 2009, II Northeast Fishery Sector is comprised of approximately 40 active mobile gear vessels and III Northeast Fishery Sector is comprised of approximately 35 active day boat, fixed gear fishermen.
All NEFS III and NEFS II active members benefit from the sectors' association with the Gloucester Fishing Community Preservation Fund.
In 2007, the GFCPF formed as a program developed to preserve and promote awareness of Gloucester's fisheries, heritage, and the fabric of the Gloucester community: protecting and enhancing the Port of Gloucester, the Port's infrastructure; and, in order to aid disadvantage fishermen, serving as a central repository and exchange for the distribution of limited access, multi-species fishing privileges and permits to fishing vessels based in Gloucester.
The fishing community preservation fund fulfills its mission in numerous ways. For example, under the sector management system, the majority of GFCPF permits have been enrolled in IV, Northeast Fishery Sector Inc. NEFS IV is a lease-only sector that was developed primarily to provide a mechanism under the sector management system for the GFCPF to continue its mission of assisting the Gloucester fishing community.
As Mr. Gaines reported, "In the first year of catch shares ... the bank provided 'nearly 5 million pounds of quota at a minimal cost to Gloucester fishing vessels." The majority of active NEFS II and NEFS III members were assisted this fishing year and last fishing year by having the opportunity to supplement their harvest share balances with fish made available to their sector from NEFS IV at below-market value.
In addition, GFCPF assisted the Sector by providing operational support and gear to qualifying members at a minimal cost or via affordable lease programs.
In our opinion, GFCPF is an invaluable asset for the Gloucester fishing community and the sectors based in Gloucester. It gives eligible members the opportunity to lease harvest share and mitigate potential overages due to "choke" stock situations. Additionally, gear lease programs provide Gloucester fishermen with the flexibility to make payments over an extended period rather than incur the burden of a lump sum cost.
For example, NEFS III coordinated with the preservation fund to purchase acoustic marine mammal pingers for gillnets during the 2010 fishing year.
Pingers are designed to deter marine mammals from gillnets and incidental entanglement. Each pinger costs, on average, $69, but with the help of GFCPF, fishermen were able to get the quantity of pingers necessary to be in regulatory compliance — without having to pay a significant bill at one time. This was particularly critical during the transition to the sector management system.
In addition, the GFCPF provided state of the art catch sensor systems to members of NEFS II. These systems allow fishermen to know how much fish they have in their nets so that they can haul back to avoid large catches of cod that could result in shutting down for the season.
This tool has been invaluable to NEFS II fishermen's ability to stay within their limited Gulf of Maine cod allocations. Similar to the arrangement with NEFS III, the systems were made available to all members of NEFS II through an affordable equipment leasing program between GFCPF and the sector.
Both Gloucester-based sectors are treated fairly and equitably by the GFCPF. Each sector receives the same opportunities and harvest share amounts to distribute to their members.
The Gloucester Community Fishing Preservation Fund works closely with both of the NEFS II and NEFS III boards of directors and managers to ensure a collaborative relationship that solely benefits local fishermen.
NICK BRANCALEONE
Manager, III Northeast Fishery Sector Inc.
DAVID LEVEILLE
Manager, II Northeast Fishery Sector Inc.
Gloucester
