40 



In my short report, I have named 14 small businesses whose 

 livelihood depends directly on commercial fishing vessels. So what 

 does this sudden closure of fishing grounds by federal governmental 

 authority done to Massachusetts small businesses "i They have been 

 completely caught off guard. Shut off from lending institutions. 

 Cut off from the work force. Vessels that carried seven erew men go 

 to sea with four. Vessels that fish with four fishermen now work 

 with two. We in the fishing Port of Gloucester, working with Mayor 

 Tobey and the City Council, are trying to open new markets for 

 underutilized species such as herring, mackerel, cape shark, and 

 menhaden, but with the sudden closures we haven't had time to 

 refrain and retrofit our fish plants and fishing vessels. It seems 

 like we have the plague when it comes to getting loans from banks 

 or other lending sources for our fishing industry. 



Our city and state leaders are trying to redirect industries 

 in these coastal cities and communities, many of which depend on 

 the tourist trade. The tourist industry, however, is not an 

 adequate substitute due to its seasonality. In addition, many 

 tourists are attracted to Gloucester and New Bedford, 

 Massachusetts, to see real fishermen at work unloading their fish 

 •nd mending their nets. 



I guess the tourist industry is number 15. We, in the City of 

 Gloucester, Massachusetts, are not dead, but with the sudden 

 closures of fishing grounds our industry may die a painful death. 

 The United States government has not given any consideration to the 

 ramifications of so negatively impacting the many businesses that 

 are affected by these regulations. Now with the implementation of 

 Amendment 7 to the Northeast Fishery Management Plan the need for 

 your assistance is greater than ever before. 



The social and economic impact statement attached to Amendment 

 7 states that the fishing industry in many New England ports will 

 not survive and the probability of survival for Gloucester's 

 fishing industry is not promising. Where are the human and economic 

 concerns for all that our fishing heritage represents ? What out 

 comes are federal possible are federal policy-makers considering 7 

 It certainly isn't about we the people. Where's the plan to save 

 the industry ? Yes, I agree something is needed to save the fish 

 but if in the final result when the fish make their comeback (which 

 is already happening) there won't be any fishermen fxom 

 Massachusetts left with the "know-how" to harvest them. Then what 

 has been accomplished for these many small business other than 

 destruction ? These sudden measures are definitely a sudden 

 disaster of the highest order for the fishing industry of 

 Massaohusetts . 



