The threat comes not so much for a lack of fish, but from the privatization of the marine resource and subsequent consolidation of the fishing industry. Just as other industries have seen a handful of large corporations become the only participants, commercial fishing in America is now experiencing the same pressure. In an effort to help preserve the right to fish, fishermen have organized permit banks that will buy and retain permits for fishing communities. The permits would be used by members of the community, rather than being sold on the market to a handful of corporations. Currently Gloucester and Chatham, Massachusetts, have established permit banks. Paul Parker is a fisherman who has worked with the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen’s Association, and is now involved with the Cape Cod Fisheries Trust. In the 1990s Parker, along with other New England fishing groups, fought the institution of individual fishing quotas (IFQ). IFQs have led to consolidation and restricted access in the Alaska fishery and in other parts of the world. Parker has helped establish a permit bank on Cape Cod. He now says he supports securing quota for communities. Because of the way the confused and failed policies of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) have unfolded it is important to do what ever can be done to preserve community fishing rights. As a result of the soaring cost of permits, Parker said, “the public’s resource has been converted to the private sector. It is now a privatized right. We have to do something. We have to deal with the situation we have to make the best of it for ourselves.” The resource privatization has occurred, not formally instituted by NMFS management, but as a consequence of their actions.
The result has been that smaller boats, and family owned fishing operations have been driven out of business. The larger fleets with larger vessels have taken their place. Where not long ago all fishermen needed in order to go fishing was a boat, the will, and the skill, they now need hundreds of thousands of dollars for permits alone. Martha’s Vineyard fisherman Tom Osmers, said, “We are trying to leave opportunities for the young, and fish for communities to have access to. We rolled over on scallops and now 95 percent of the scallops go to 320 big boats and the balance, 5 percent, to others. Don’t be afraid to fly the flag of revolution. This is a public resource and it belongs to the people, all the people of all the states.” The Midcoast Fishermen’s Association (MFA) is planning to establish a permit bank. They are working with the Island Institute and the Nature Conservancy. Some federal funds were recently approved for permit banking in Maine. “We are moving toward quotas, it seems to make sense. But every place it has been tried it has led to consolidation,” said the MFA’s Glen Libby of Port Clyde. “If a fisherman loses his access, you (the people) lose your access. The fishery belongs to the people.” Libby referred to the end of the printing new permits about 20 years ago shooting up the dollar value of permits, and the beginning of the days at sea plan. “We have a chance to change the model. Quota systems end up with a lot of people sitting on the shore. Permit banking offers a way for someone without a million dollars to go fishing.’ He said. Not all permits are equal in value. Terry Stockwell, former gillnet and scallop fisherman, and now with the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR), said, “It is important that communities not buy permits that have no value to them.” Gloucester received $12 million in a settlement following a lawsuit against an liquid natural gas (LNG) company over fishing ground interference. They used it to establish a permit bank and buy permits. It is in its third year. “Framework 42 put the Port of Gloucester out of business,” said Giacalone. “The permit bank gives people something to hope for.” The Gloucester bank has bought 29 permits to date. There are tax advantage and donation programs that the banks offer. Donated days at sea can be tax deductible. Giacolone said they are very selective about what they buy. The coming New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) decision could change the value of various permits. Fisherman Jon Mayhew of Martha’s Vineyard said, “leased permits can only go to those with days at sea and therefore not to our children. Because of the retroactive control system I lost my swordfish license on a technicality, and I was forced to sell my days at sea. The system is flawed. We need to unite communities all along the coast. NMFS created a synthetic value for permits. Iceland sued its government (on this) and got 30 percent back. The (NMFS) system has failed on the whole east coast and we need to revisit it.” Parker described the Cape Cod Fisheries Trust plan to solicit donations to the permit bank. “Whether it’s area management, ITQs,, or permit banks, we have to have something to save Martha’s Vineyard fishermen,” said Parker. His group is seeking $10 million in a variety of ways, including cash donations, to buy permits to bank. |
