This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
Page 12. MAINE COASTAL NEWS April 2009
Commercial Fishing News
Sea Biscuit Speaks in the Name of Fairness
“When the Shoe’s on the Other Foot” with that off my chest, let’s see what you years and has maintained a full time status on Football League. In football, each team has
Hello, Sea Biscuit here. I hope everyone think of a plan that does not segregate or a lobster boat, they would be issued a license the same amount of players on a field (11),
has enjoyed themselves lately. Maybe the discriminate against anyone – A “fair plan.” with 300 tags also. Those with less than 2 they also abide by the same rules, but yet still
snow has finally stopped and spring can get O.K., before anybody starts to read, years on the list who are currently working some teams always do better than others.
here. If you read this title, you might be please remember one thing, this plan is to stern on a boat would also be eligible for their Why? One reason is a better coaching staff
wondering where this articles is going. level up the fishery as a whole, so don’t take license when they have completed that 2 and better preparation, or just better knowl-
It seems lately that every meeting or it personally. This is what you might call a years. Basically, this establishes a 4 year edge. Well fishing could be looked at the
hearing that I go to, the topic of “being fair” perfect compromise; ain’t no one really going training program and would qualify those same way; each boat (team) fishing in the
comes up; fair for the people on the appren- to be happy but that’s the idea. There are currently working on a boat. For those who ocean (field) and having the same amount of
tice list or fair for the students or the guys with several parts to this so please read all before have “not” maintained any time working on traps (players), the captain and crew would
800 tags. Well, what about those in the middle casting judgement. a boat after completing their apprenticeship, be equal to the coaching staff, so whoever
who are full time fishermen, like myself. For the first recommendation, let’s first they will not qualify. I feel that if you have has more knowledge and experience should
I have already lost out in this deal such require students and apprentices to do 4 worked hard and stayed with it, you should be able to still be very successful. Those with
as permits because of “limited effort.” You years before getting a license. For the stu- be rewarded. If you have not stayed with it, lesser skills will not. This is equal and fair.
see, back years ago, all you had to do was sign dent, during their Junior and Senior years of well maybe you are not that serious. If you are Whether you like it or not, it is what it is. If we
a piece of paper and you could fish beyond high school, they start their education pro- serious, then I suggest that you get back on are going to keep stating “equal and fair,”
the 3-mile; not anymore. That “free” permit cess where they should learn business math a boat and finish that added 2 years. then I say let’s do it. Everybody has the same
will cost you 10 to 15 thousand dollars. and economics, safety, boat maintenance So, how do you like my plan so far? Some opportunity as the other. No more “you fish
Sounds fair, don’t it? and basic navigation. Now here is the catch, will disagree, but remember, this is about 100 so I can fish 800. Let’s pick a number and
Ever since Maine has established its a student must graduate with passing grades “being fair” and establishing an equal oppor- that’s it. Basically, those who are dedicated
present license system, things have really for these 2 years to count toward their pro- tunity fishery. Sounds like a regular factory and have good fishing skills will be fishing.
gone afoul. All the changes were to reduce gram. They still can have a student license job, I know. Like some people keep saying, This will wean our fishery of the fly-by-
effort and protect the lobster resource, but when they turn 8 years old and still fish traps “It’s not Grampa’s fishery any more.” I think nighter. If you suck at football, you won’t last
lately, it has turned into a way of limiting one at the current numbers. This part will not those people are showing a great lack of long in training camp.
fisherman but not another. Some of us who change after high school. They should do respect to the older fishermen when they say Now, picking a trap limit is always a pain,
have maintained smaller fishing operations two more years of apprenticing at the full-time that. This is the generation that made this so some rules will have to be set to close any
are now viewed as part-timers because we level, all season. This would be like going to fishery so strong. So now it is our turn to keep loopholes. The best rule would be: on license
don’t fish to the maximum in our areas. No, we a junior college. They will still be able to fish and sustain this fishery for our grandchil- per boat, no more double tagging or multiple
do not have a full time job somewhere, we fish. their 150 traps. After completing these 4 dren, of which I have three. buoys on a boat. If you want to fish, then fish.
So if someone can’t meet their overhead, I years, they will receive their license and 300 For 2 years, I have listened to the Lobster Put the honest effort forward.
would say they need to evaluate their busi- tags. This would eliminate the threat of a Advisory Council say we must reduce traps The last part of this plan is simple. Be-
ness plan and adjust accordingly. Don’t student waiting list being established. in the water but it seems some only want cause lobster is a public resource, we’ve been
redistribute effort to fit your needs. The same time frame will also be required others to reduce, not themselves. They say forced to allow a recreational fishery. O.K.,
One brain storm out there is to have a for anyone entering the apprentice program “well, we can assume that if a person has 800 fine, but let’s cut it to 2 or 3 traps. Remember,
tiered license plan. Who thought of this plan? as an adult. Do 4 years of training with the tags, they must be a full-time fisherman.” it’s recreational. This should stop those with
I fish in upper Penobscot Bay where fishing same requirements. After completing all re- Well boys and girls, this is probably one of 4 or 5 licenses per family from selling lobsters
is not nearly as good as “down below,” so if quirements, they are issued a license and 300 the numbest quotes yet. Just because some- on the side or at least put a big dent in it.
I can survive on 400 traps, you damned a well tags. You guessed it, no more waiting list. one buys 800 tags, he’s full-time? What I also believe that there should be a
best be able to survive on 800 traps and if you Now comes the sticky part. Anyone who about people working at the Mill or B.I.W.? I license available if someone just wants to
can’t, well I don’t know what to tell ya. Well, has been on the waiting list for more than 2 know several people who have 800 tags and work stern on a boat. Some people might work
no traps in the water. Do they qualify as full- on more than one boat. If an owner does not
timers? NO! I say that if the majority of your have a Class 2 or 3 license; then the sternman
GOWEN MARINE
Maine’s living comes from fishing, like 95 to 100 %, must have one. Some people just want to
largest
you’re full time. I know that this is extreme, so work on a boat, not own or fish one. So the
stocking skiff
these percentages need to be set wisely. sternman license would eliminate those get-
dealer
Many guys do carpentry or snow removal as ting or having a lobster license to be a helper.
a secondary income, so yes, I understand this Well, that’s my plan. I’m sure some of
it is not all in or all out, but I feel that 51% as you are pretty wild, but if you sit down and
a number is too low. think about this, it is fair for all. Everyone has
As you remember from earlier, I said the same opportunity to catch lobsters. Now
“keep things fair,” so this is what I feel is fair. it is up to you to show how knowledgeable
Let’s compare lobstering to the National you are about catching lobsters.
400 Commercial St. • Portland, ME
207-773-1761 • 800-564-6936 gowenmarine.com
GOWEN MARINE
sales@gowenmarine.com
LOOKING FOR A FINE ROWING CRAFT?
13-foot peapod
ERIC DOW BOAT SHOP
Builder of Traditional Small Craft. Repair and Restoration.
P.O. Box 7, Brooklin, Maine (207) 359-2277
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40
Produced with Yudu - www.yudu.com