A meeting took place Thursday, January 28, among representatives of the Environmental Defense Fund — the driving force behind the controversial "catch share" fishing regulatory system — a Rhode Island fishermen who's already working under the new format, three Gloucester fishermen who have real doubts they'll be able to top, succeed or perhaps even economically survive under the new regulations, and three representatives of the Gloucester Daily Times — Publisher Al Getler, staff fishing writer Richard Gaines, and editor Ray Lamont. It took place at the Gloucester Times.
As the discussion wore on, there was a sense that all were on the same side in more ways than they may have thought. All recognized the problems brought on by the New England Fishery Management Council's and the federal government's low catch limits. And EDF's Ms. Wormser asked the local fishermen for ideas on how EDF could help them get more accessibility, how grant money might best be used.
By the end, there was a desire by both Ms. Wormser and the Gloucester fishermen to continue talking, and our Times group had learned more about our fishermen's needs, EDF's motives and goals, and how they might converge to give fishermen the fair economic opportunity they so richly deserve.