Wing Cam designed and built by Bill Lee for observing the performance of trawl nets. The device holds the camera and can be flown around below the surface for varied angles. of view. ?Photo by Bill Lee |
After 37 years of groundfishing, captain Bill Lee of Gloucester has sold his groundfish permit and is leaving the industry.
The outspoken Lee said he was forced out by National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) enforcement. A $19,800 fine for illegal landings forced him into a corner and banks would never loan money for this purpose, he said.
The size of the penalty, which included the loss of days at sea in a negotiated settlement, meant his fishing business was no longer viable.
The violations included 207 pounds of cod over the 800-pound daily limit, and the loss of a dozen days in 2004, 2005, and 2006, for yellowtail that would have been legal if he'd had with him a letter he was unaware he needed. Many other fishermen fishing low limits of yellowtail were unaware of the procedural requirements around this letter as well. He attributes the confusing official statements about the requirements for the letter, for the failure of so many fishermen to obtain one.
Lee was also fined for having an illegal fillet of half a dab onboard. This is an amount of fish smaller than the area of four oreo cookies, and half as thick. The filet was in fact legal, said Lee.
Bill Lee’s criticism of NMFS law enforcement led to an investigation by the Inspector General’s Office of the Department of Commerce of the NMFS’s enforcement arm actions. An investigation is ongoing.
“This (targeting fishermen to drive them out of business) is not a Gloucester problem,” said Lee, “this is an Atlantic coast problem.”
The 61-year-old Lee will train for certification as a marine surveyor. Meanwhile research projects he is currently involved in will be on hold until he receives certification.
Lee has participated in some of the most important collaborative research projects conducted in the Gulf of Maine for the last 16 years. He has been involved in 56 scientific research projects, and many others where he produced the project video.
Haddock trap designed by Kelo Pinkham. It was modified to catch cod and works well. Lee's camera recorded the activity of fish around the trap for fine tuning functions. Habitat restoration, selective harvesting, and by-catch elimination are a few of the assets from this work. ?Photo by Bill Lee |
He has worked with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admins-tration (NOAA), Woods Hole Oceano- graphic Institute, Sea Grant, and university scientists. These projects have led to a better understanding of a range of species and to the development of important gear that reduced by-catch and habitat destruction.
Lee built from scratch his 43-foot steel fishing boat, the Ocean Reporter, from which he did solo trawling. He was a welder in the Seabees and has specialized in the development of video equipment that enabled researchers to make real-time observations of many types of gear while in use in deep water.
While he said he has respect for NOAA, the NMFS enforcement agency is, he said, “a modern American Gestapo” which uses “bullying, unfair practices, pettiness, and fear” to undermine the rights of fishermen.
