It's the Fourth Quarter

There’s been a flurry of interest lately on the part of the lobster fishermen as to what rules may be enacted in the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s latest addition to its Lobster Plan.  Maybe the awakening occurred when word reached the dock that “they” were talking about minimum size increases and historical participation requirements on trap numbers. Whoa there, we can hear it now, “they can talk all they want as long as they only propose things that I already do or have and besides, why are we supposed to do anything anyway?” This then returns the entire conversation back to the decade old epic tale of lobster biology, computer models and federal laws.

Regardless of what has spurred the interest, the industry’s Lobster Conservation Management Teams, the LCMT’s, after months of lonely, agonizing debates and compromises, have suddenly found the guest list at their meetings growing with newly interested parties who want to oppose whatever is being considered that might affect them.  Actually it isn’t bad that there is more interest because at least fishermen may be realizing that maybe, just maybe, fishermen with a game plan are being listened to at the management level.  This is progress and it is true, they are listening, at least in the Atlantic States Management process.  Then too, it seems that most fishermen are beginning to better understand the process and science driving that process. They certainly don’t agree with all the science factors, nor should they, but now at least, they’re in the same ballpark with the managers and scientists and have managed to field a team to play in the game.

Understandably, these newly arrived fishermen are busy, tired and want to voice their concerns and although it is now the last quarter of this crucial game, they are welcome.  These new players, however, must understand the rules of engagement and be willing to contribute constructively rather then destructively to the process.

It should also be remembered that there have been fishermen who also have been busy and tired who have been paying close attention all along and have been participating and carrying the ball.  It should be noted here that virtually every suggestion that has come from fishermen has been examined and the merits, drawbacks and feasibility of each idea has been debated back and forth for, in some cases, several years.

There has been, however, all too many who have known that the process has been going on but perhaps thought that it was all going to just go away.  Well, no, it hasn’t and no, it won’t until the goals are met.

There has been a concerted effort  by the industry reps during this process to satisfy the biologists, the managers, the legal mandates and also to make the most painless yet feasible and fair proposals for the lobster fishermen.  Basically, these area delegates, the LCMT’s, have done their job and yes there are a few hesitant state government managers who are casting a suspicious eye at some of the proposals, and we won’t name any states here.

We hope the increased interest by fishermen in this planning process continues.  We hope they understand that they must follow through with the game plans if or when they are approved.  We also expect that there will be a lot of activity from the sidelines and a lot of Monday morning quarterbacks who will be replaying the field from their piers, coffee shops and taverns after the touchdown pass has been thrown. If there are, so be it!

Hike,  

Bill Adler
Executive Director

02/02