64 



Fishermen do not trust the scientific and academic communities and the reverse 

 is also true. Fishing groups are impatient and frustrated by government sponsored 

 research programs which do not seem to be targeted on solving specific problems. 

 They do not trust, and in many cases do not understand the relevance of the sci- 

 entific data that is produced. They feel that much of the fisheries research is, at 

 best, irrelevant and not focused on the core problems facing the industry, and at 

 worst politicized and manipulated to advance the interests of the regulatory agen- 

 cies. Forums for breaking down conununication barrier between fishermen and sci- 

 entists need to be developed, and the scientific community needs to work aggres- 

 sively to get data, particularly that which is collected through the observer program, 

 back to the fishermen and other stakeholders. This would help to build some bridges 

 of trust and give all stakeholders an even "playing field" of information. 



Financing I Capital 



National and regional conservation organizations have had virtually no involve- 

 ment in the development of the federal relief package for the northeastern fishery, 

 in spite of the fact that the relief package will have a considerable effect on the fu- 

 ture viability of the industry and the fishery. These organizations need to develop 

 the capability to participate effectively in the these issues. Otherwise conservation 

 interests may never get the focus and representation they require. 



The northeast fishing industry is grossly overcapitalized. The number of boats, li- 

 censes, and fishermen working the fishery must be reduced if the industry is to sur- 

 vive. Significant down-sizing has already occurred and will continue, regardless of 

 Amendment 5. Precise figures on the impact are difficult to obtain because data is 

 sketchy, and fishermen move between fisheries. 



Debt Service, liability insurance, and health insurance are core concerns for fish- 

 ermen and their families. Many fishermen in the large boat fisheries have $30,00() 

 to $50,000 monthly in fixed costs. Liability insurance averages $33,000 a year per 

 boat. Most of the debt is secured by personal guarantees from the fishermen or by 

 their houses. These fixed costs exacerbate pressures to maximize harvest. As the 

 fishery has declined, it has become almost impossible for fishermen to obtain access 

 to capital through conventional financing and government loans. Many fishermen do 

 not carry health insurance because they cannot afford it. 



Transition strategies and economic diversification programs will require the devel- 

 opment of community based financing, including community development banks, 

 community development loan funds and credit unions, micro-loan funds and commu- 

 nity development corporations. Certain vehicles already exist, such as The Glouces- 

 ter Fishermen's Loan Fund, Coastal Enterprises, and Working Capital. These insti- 

 tutions need to be supported and expanded. These institutions and the programs 

 they administer are working and could have significantly broader impact. They re- 

 quire both additional capital for debt and equity investments, and core operating 

 support to oversee and develop their networks and effectively administer their pro- 

 grams. In addition new entities may need to be developed, such as a fishermen's 

 trust, which could acquire strategic properties for the fishing industry. 



SUGGESTED GOALS FX)R AIDING THE NORTHEASTERN FISHERIES CRISIS 



1) Restore and maintain a viable fishery resource and the ecosystem which sup- 

 ports it. 



2) Restore and maintain a sustainable commercial fishery and the jobs and way 

 of life it supports. 



3) Mitigate the socio-economic dislocation caused by the restructuring (loss in 

 some areas) of the commercial fishing industry and help effect a transition from 

 local economies based on commercial fishing to other more viable and sustainable 

 economic activities. 



4) Avoid actions which knowingly expand the northeastern fisheries crisis into 

 other fisheries or regions by shifting fishing pressure into other fisheries. 



SUGGECTED PRIORITIES FOR A NORTHEASTERN FISHERIES RECOVERY EFFORT 



1) Establish, maintain, and enforce strong conservation regulations to protect fish 

 stocks. 



2) Minimize the pain in the communities which will be most affected by the de- 

 clines and restrictions on the groundfishery and other related fisheries. Target city, 

 state and federal social service and community development programs aimed at the 

 affected communities. 



