FROM THE CROWE'S NEST

Wait on Shakespeare

The ground fish regulations that went into effect May 1 remain the number one controversial topic, in an industry that gets more controversial daily.

For as long as the federal agency has been trying to manage marine fisheries, fishermen, scientists, environmentalists and others have been critical of federal practices and policy.

Meanwhile, in the wake of the run up to the May 1 deadline, an army of litigants has gathered around the National Marine Fisheries Service fortress in Gloucester. Towns, states, politicians, and fishing organizations are filing suit against NMFS.

Fisheries scientist Dr. Brian Rothshield has been calling for the dissolution of the management council system as it exists. He set it up 30 years ago. Rothshield was in Washington the last week of April trying to convince congress to make changes to the fisheries bill they were voting on.

Commons, fisheries, and lobster management expert, and former NMFS employee, Dr. James Acheson has said in his recently published analysis of the New England ground fishery that he sees little hope of the needed “turnaround not only in the culture of the industry but also in the agencies.” Acheson has cited the Maine lobster management system as credible model. The complexities of the New England ground fishery, the battle lines that have been drawn, and in particular the top down management structure are working against the kind of solution that is needed, he has said.

This is the context out of which is coming management decisions that will negatively effect thousands of fishing industry businesses and families. It is not unlike trying to perform eye surgery in the midst of a bar brawl. The effect will not be a slow down before a recovery that leads to further growth.

People will be driven out of the business, permits will be out of financial reach for re-entry, and there will be structural change – cultural, social and economic change.

Shakespeare wrote, “first kill all the lawyers.” Well, lets wait until we first see what they can do to stop NMFS.