Groundfishing boats abandon Portland for Gloucester

Re: Groundfishing boats abandon Portland for Gloucester

feeds@yuku.com (Damon) — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 07:53:50 GMT

I don't think Maine will allow groundfishermen to land lobsters in any of our lifetimes. The lobstermen there swing a lot more votes and influence than the fishermen do. It is more likely that Massachusetts would forbid fishermen from landing lobsters, but I do not see that happening either. It is pretty tough to be a fisherman from Stonington or someplace and your lobstering neighbors force you to land in Gloucester, but the fishermen knew that when they got into it.

Re: Groundfishing boats abandon Portland for Gloucester

feeds@yuku.com (Muffyhowards) — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 21:48:55 GMT

Where were we, the fishermen and the bureaucrats. Why throw lobsters or any fish over the side if caught and won't survive any way? What makes one part of the ocean different then an other? My belief is if ya a American Fisherman (or women) ya all share the same rights---Maine ,----Mass---- New Hampshire--- And so one. Ceder Island @ the shoals has two different rules of fishing'. One in Maine, one In N. H.. Split down the middle and splits the family that lives there.Mohegan is a...

Re: Groundfishing boats abandon Portland for Gloucester

feeds@yuku.com (Muffyhowards) — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 21:30:17 GMT

Aint that the pits, Fisherman always support one another till the Gov gets in the way. Ya know the grounds you've earned and work it out with the other guys, and then some politition comes in and says NO. WTF gives them the right? Boarders in the ocean should be regulated by the folks who use it .... PERIOD!!Shit , going political and me power needs a recharge.

Re: Groundfishing boats abandon Portland for Gloucester

feeds@yuku.com (codfsh2) — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 20:41:38 GMT

I would think the Portland boats unloading in Gloucester helps the locale economy but if Maine changes there lobster regulations would that end the boats unloading in Gloucester.
I think if the city was smart we would make available more large boat dockage,maybe help locale property owners build space for these boats and offer more services so as to encourage the growth of the fishing indusrty and help promote Gloucester as a commercial fishing port .Maybe we are on to something!

Re: Groundfishing boats abandon Portland for Gloucester

feeds@yuku.com (brainfix) — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 18:56:44 GMT

Thanks, Damon. What a pain for them to toss those lobsters back in the drink.

Re: Groundfishing boats abandon Portland for Gloucester

feeds@yuku.com (Damon) — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 18:54:52 GMT

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".....cannot catch lobsters in their nets "
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...or perhaps more accurately can not land, in Maine, lobsters caught in their nets.

Re: Groundfishing boats abandon Portland for Gloucester

feeds@yuku.com (Damon) — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 18:51:32 GMT

This has been a major, major, issue in Maine. It has also been a boon to Gloucester and hurt the auction in Portland badly.
For years I have thought Gloucester could benefit by providing the facilities for fishermen to migrate here as other ports gentrify. This is why the state fish pier has a waiting list for their commercial boat marina. However I do not think it was in anyone's mind to compete in this way.

Groundfishing boats abandon Portland for Gloucester

feeds@yuku.com (brainfix) — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 18:18:09 GMT

Peter Prybot has probably written about this for the GDT, but this article from the Portland Press Herald shows how a single regulation can alter the fishing landscape. Seems Maine groundfishing boats cannot catch lobsters in their nets, but boats from Massachusetts can. Often, the additional revenue from landed lobsters in Mass. adds significant revenue that can make the...