L E T T E R   T O   T H E   E D I T O R

Who Dare Say, Enough!

In examining the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for reducing vertical end lines in the lobster trap fishery I find two areas of concern that resist statistical solutions.

Displaced fishing gear from seasonally closed areas is likely to be relocated onto grounds that are already heavily fished by territorial fishermen. The additional traps will reduce the catch of the previously set gear; a smaller piece of the pie for all. This unnatural concentration of effort will lead to conflict resulting in accidental and  punitive cutting of buoys and ground lines. These gear conflicts can lead to threats and physical confrontation, injury or worse. Enforcement agencies will need to step up their presence if this is to be prevented; which state or federal agency will be allocated additional funding and manpower for this additional responsibility?

Before mandatory multi-trap trawls are forced on traditional single trap fishermen a minimum vessel size needs to be established. Most small and part-time fishermen have small boats and they don’t fish trawls because it isn’t practical or safe to do so. If a single trap on a buoy line entangles your leg there is a good chance you can brace yourself long enough to get free or cut the line. Your odds aren’t so good with two or more heavy traps dragging you backward and a cold drowning death or serious injury is the likely result. Due to the small work space on these boats there is generally only an owner/operator aboard with no helper to assist when something bad happens. As a part time operation there isn’t enough revenue to hire a crew even if one were desired and there was enough space aboard. More thought needs to be put into requiring small vessels to fish gear that endangers the operator, unless this isn’t a concern. I didn’t see any data or tables in the DEIS calculating the value of humans killed or crippled complying with “Preferred Option 5,” but I suppose that would vary depending on what county they were from. I wonder how many human lives lost and family businesses ruined it would take before anyone dared stand up and say “Enough”?
 
Peter Tilton, Jr.
Hampton, NH