SEABROOK — Two days of testimony and meetings on the devastating effect new federal "catch share" regulations are having on the state's once-thriving fishing fleet ended yesterday with a boatload of doubt.
The assessment team included representatives from the U.S. departments of Labor, Environmental Protection, Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development and the Small Business Associations. Its visit was part of a tour of New England and New York fishing ports affected by the recent federal changes.
Among the information the team gleaned in Seabrook that will be included in the report:
The impact the flood of inexpensive foreign fish is having on local fishermen's ability to sell their catch at industry-sustaining prices.
Financial loss and hopelessness led to three attempted suicides and six divorces in the 22-boat fleet.
The lack of capital available to fishermen because of the volatile nature of their trade.
The aging of the fishing community and this generation's reluctance to train their children to follow them.
The trickle-down effect the loss of fishing boats is having on other related marine businesses and the economy.
The importance of the fishing industry to the cultural heritage of New Hampshire and its Seacoast tourism base.
Yet for the fishing industry representatives in the room, it was what team members didn't say that was the problem.
"I hope part of your report (addresses) the regulatory conditions that have caused the economic conditions that you people are here to respond to," said Padi Anderson, who with her husband has fished commercially out of Rye Harbor for decades.
There also was no mention of recommending the alleviation of some of the burdens still to be imposed, such as the NOAA's requirement that by 2013 boat captains pay the cost of federal dock-side and at-sea monitors. Some estimate the cost could run into thousands of dollars a day.
"Once NOAA transitions (the cost) of at-sea and dock-side monitors to boat owners, we're out of business," Anderson said. "It's the kiss of death. New Hampshire is lost."
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