Now, after two years of work and public forums, the consultants are urging a series of actions aimed at stimulating the "three legs of the harbor economy" — commercial fishing industry, the visitor-based economy, and the maritime economy.

Re-establishing a city Fisheries Commission, improving access to the harbor via land and water, and establishing a Maritime Industry Development Unit were among the initiatives presented to residents at Monday night's City Hall forum on the draft final report of Gloucester's Harbor Economic Development Plan.

According to the 113-page report, the initiatives are aimed at sustaining and growing the three legs of the harbor economy, stimulating harbor property investment, and supporting downtown development by strengthening linkages between the harbor and downtown.

Read the complete story from the Gloucester Daily Times.