We win.
It isn't often that commercial fishing gets a fair deal from the federal government, but on Thursday, that is exactly what happened in New Bedford.
A lot of people, from the mayors of New Bedford and Gloucester to Sen. John Kerry and fishermen from throughout the region, deserve great credit for making this fight.
However, it was won thanks to the efforts of Barney Frank, who has been steadfast and determined in protecting the economic and cultural interests of coastal communities like this one.
He championed this cause and as a result, the rules protecting both fish and fishermen will be fairer than they were before.
That is a win-win for everyone.
For a year, Frank has led the assault on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and its arbitrary and heavy-handed enforcement of regulations that have unfairly punished Northeastern fishermen. He has pushed Locke to overrule NOAA Director Jane Lubchenco and consider issuing emergency orders easing federal limits on catch shares and limits that are hurting ground fishermen in New Bedford, Gloucester and elsewhere.
Locke finally gave in and conceded that he does have the authority to order such revisions, and now an independent and comprehensive scientific review of fish stocks will be undertaken to determine whether the existing limits make sense.
Further, Locke has agreed to relax restrictions on fishermen who are fishing near the U.S.-Canada border, which could allow fishermen to bring home more fish.
Finally, Locke agreed to spend $15 million on a nationwide assessment of fish stocks that should align the industry more closely with scientific research and help sustain the fishery along both coasts.
A national fishing science summit will examine how fishing data is gathered and analyzed.
Taken together, Locke's agreement should not only help restore the fishing industry's confidence in the regulatory agencies, but should help lessen the conflict between conservationists and fishing interests by establishing sensible regulations that better protect both fish and fishermen.
Read the complete editorial from The South Coast Today.