The State’s Division of Marine Fisheries has scheduled two public hearings for the end of this month on its proposal to establish an Effort Control Trap Cap Plan.  It is very important that lobster fishermen in this state attend at least one of those hearings. It is also important that you do more then just warm some seat in the hearing room.  This is your opportunity to be heard whether you are for or against what is being presented.  What you have to say is important both for you and for those who are asking for your opinion.

What you have to say does not have to be a long or drawn out speech.  It could be as simple as a brief statement that you support or oppose what is being presented.  The point is, say something.  As is always the case, a written comment is also very acceptable.

Too many fishermen sit at hearings and say nothing.  That doesn’t help and as always, hearings are not voting situations either.  It shouldn’t be expected that there’ll be some type of a hand vote on the issue.

Staying away from the hearings and instead setting up ones soapbox down at the pier, the coffee shop or the local watering hole won’t cut it.  This, unfortunately, is too frequently what also happens.

Proposals for fishing regulation changes, such as this Trap Cap Plan, are brought by law to public hearings so that those who could be impacted will have the opportunity to comment.  Hearings are not an official announcement that this or any other regulation is a fact.  Those holding the hearing, likewise, should remember that the reason for that hearing besides being part of a legal process is also a valuable opportunity to listen to rationale either for or against a proposal.  It is also to gauge the public’s level of support, all this, before deliberating and making a decision.  What is important for the officials who are listening is that they hear what is being said.

It is also quite possible that those in the public, or in this case the lobster fisherman, will have some very logical and realistic comments to make and they should be considered before any final decision is made by the Division or the Marine Fisheries Commission. This is what a public hearing is all about.

Returning to the fishermen’s side of this again, one should structure his comments directly at the proposal but also remembering his fellow fishermen.  Everyone can pick out those who are only looking out for themselves and sometimes doing so at the expense of other fishermen.  How often have we heard comments that support regulation changes as long as it only impacts others and not “me”?  This is not helpful and only serves to divide the fishing industry.

You are, together, the lobster industry and it is your business, your livelihood and your future.  Get to the public hearing in your area.  Give your opinion and if you wish, your reasons for that opinion.

You are important – act it by being at the hearing.

Bill Adler

Executive Director