66 



11) Undertake comprehensive co-ordinated analysis of the state programs which 

 couid provide direct support and relief to commercial fishermen, including state dis- 

 aster assistance. Assess the opportunity each presents for assisting with New Eng- 

 land GroundJish issue and target appropriate programs on the region. The appro- 

 priations process is a critical component of this approach. 



20) Support efforts to develop economic opportunities by processing fish waste 

 and efforts to reduce fish waste at sea associated with "by-catcn". 



21) Develop a collaborative marketing task force(s) involving distributors, retail- 

 ers, harvesters, state and federal ofilciars and conservationists to explore opportuni- 

 ties for developing new markets for northeastern fish products, with an overriding 

 goal of maintaining ecological sustainable fish pojpulations. 



22) Develop regional aauaculture task force oi local officials, regulators, environ- 

 mentalists, scientists, ana fishermen to explore avenues for easing regulatory bur- 

 den on small start-up aquaculture business while maintaining hi^ environmental 

 standards. Experiment with small scale pilot leasing programs. 



23) Developing revolving loan fund(s) to enable vessels to refinance existing debt 

 to lower payment schedules for vessels which will remain in the fleet. This should 

 be to tied to a concurrent plan to actively reduce the fishing power of the fleet. 



24) Establish, support and expand Community Development Corporations focused 

 on coastal communities most affected by the fisheries crisis to finance transition ac- 

 tivities for the fishery. Programs could include developing co-ops, building mannas, 

 re-tooling boats, and selective gear development and to finance economic diversifica- 

 tion projects to build a sustainable economic base for the region. 



25) Establish, support, or expand development of regional micro-enterprise lend- 

 ing programs to finance small Dusiness development activities and economic diver- 

 sification efforts. Target programs on the communities which are most affected by 

 the collapse of the fishery to help finance fishing related transition strategies and 

 economic diversification. Ex: Gloucester Fishermen's Loan Fund; Working Capital's 

 Micro-Enterprise lending program. 



26) Develop small business incubators in strategic port areas to aid in market de- 

 velopment, product development value-added processing and mariceting initiatives. 

 If proved to oe feasible seed the enterprises. 



27) Develop other new sources of capital, such as loan funds or venture capital 

 funds to finance fishing or non fishing transition economic diversification initiatives, 

 including alternatives to commercial fishing such as sport-fishing, whale watching, 

 data collection- new roles for fishermen. 



28) Support efforts to achieve a strong and comprehensive re-authorization of the 

 Magnuson Act which includes significant restructuring of the regional fishery man- 

 agement council system. Focus on the long term viability of the resource over short 

 term economic gain. It should encourage innovative, flexible bottoms-up manage- 

 ment while establishing tough "top-down" parameters, insuring that the fishery re- 

 source and the ecosystem which supports it will be protected. 



29) Support the facilitation of small informal gatherings and discussions among 

 fishermen, conservationists, managers and scientists aimed at improving commu- 

 nications and understanding among these groups. Establish liaison(s) between the 

 environmental community and fishing community- an honest broker to enhance 

 communications and breeik down barriers between the two camps. 



30) Support coordinated efforts to assess federal and state programs available to 

 aid the fishermen and working to secure federal and state relief for fishermen and 

 the fishery. 



31) Examine strategies employed in the Pacific Northwest spotted owl debate, 

 and the northern forest debate and the Farm Bill for examples which are applicable 

 to New England fisheries. 



32) Underwrite a comprehensive history of the Northeastern fishery problem. 

 Stakeholders need to know how we got here to determine where to go in the future. 



33) Underwrite production of a feature length documentary of the history of the 

 New England groundfishery suitable for feature viewing on public television. 



34) Develop an anthology of Fisherman's observations- "anecdotal research" on 

 trends in the fishery and the causes- through personal interviews with fishers. The 

 project could produce worthwhile data, plus it could help to address the issue that 

 the fishing community feels the scientists do not take their observations seriously. 

 The anthology should be coupled with a process designed to open communication. 



35) Support efTorts to examine user fees or landing or processing fees, with pro- 

 ceeds earmariced for the retooling and restructuring the industry to complement 

 funds that may be generated from federal, state or philanthropic sources. 



36) Develop and support community grantmaking that focuses on empowering the 

 fishing community ancf developing capacity for self-representation to maintain the 

 way of life. The community based planning effort could serve as the basis. Support 



