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Gathering Up The
Stragglers
Many conversations that I have had with fellow lobstermen
either at a pier, a meeting or even through phone calls involve such
questions as to what the MLA was going to do about this or that
crisis. What was the
MLA position on some topic.
Many offered advice as to what the Association should or
shouldn’t do about a particular emerging issue. The kicker here was that
while many of those who spoke to me were loyal dues paying members,
too many of the ones who were asking or giving advice were not.
It was interesting, if not flattering for the
Association, that these
individuals considered asking or offering advice because it meant
that they apparently felt the MLA was situated in a position where
it was capable of doing something when it came to whatever crisis,
big or small, that concerned them.
Obviously, the latest list of crisis’ has been the
lobster management plans, whales, drilling, dredging, lobster
science, excise taxes, MPA’s, bait and lobster prices but there are
even more issues, too, that for one reason or another have various
lobstermen fishermen in a world of
swirl.
The point here was that some of these people were not
members and could and should be. We have all heard the
excuses why they’re not and I haven’t heard a good one yet, but I
would think that the loyal membership who work around most of these
fishermen would be a little irritated with those who keep dodging
their responsibility to an industry that provides them with a
livelihood. These
individuals ride the coat tails of the members of an organization
that protects their interests whether they know it or not. Unfortunately, these
individuals still manage to reap many of the benefits this
Association can get for the Massachusetts lobster
industry.
Responsibility? Did he use the word responsibility? Yes I
did! Just as it is the
responsibility of all lobstermen to obey the rules that keep the
fishery viable for all users, so too it is the responsibility of
these individuals to also support a viable shoreside arm to protect
their unified interests.
By withholding that support, they shirk that
responsibility.
Although the MLA is different from a union, there are
some similarities too.
Everyone is aware of the influence unions have always had in
the society and the affect upon those who react to that type of
influence. I’m not
talking here about strikes, but rather the unity factor, the
sticking together part.
This continues to be the way that even fishermen react when
confronted with a problem.
They “organize”, at least for a while. How many times recently have
we seen this phenomenon right here in New
England?
This Association is already there. It is organized and is
already capable of taking action if necessary. No, one cannot always expect
a complete victory at every corner but more so then not, there is a
better chance of a victory and certainly, at least, an engagement of
some kind on behalf of the industry if it is
necessary.
The MLA is one of the largest fishermen’s groups in
Massachusetts and likewise, one of the largest in New England. People pay attention to the
“size” of a group, and even though we do represent the majority of
active lobster fishermen in this state and also represent most major
Massachusetts lobster dealers and industry supporting businesses as
well, the MLA should have even more members then it does now. Yes, we would like to have
them all.
It should be made very clear to these non-members in
lobsterland that one of the responsible actions they should
take is to join with their fellow fishermen and contribute their
share. In this case, it
need only be to join together under the banner of this
Association. In unity
there will be strength and the Massachusetts lobster industry needs
that strength.
Do what you can to gather them into the
fold.
Bill Adler
Executive Director
09/02
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