History, Status and Future of the New England Off-Shore Fishery

The proceedings of this conference were published in December 2000 as a special issue of the journal
Northeast Naturalist (http://maine.maine.edu/~eaglhill) Vol 7, No.4.
It is available for purchase from The Goodwin-Niering Center for $10

Stretching from Long Island Sound to Nova Scotia, fish populations in New England's offshore waters are also experiencing this crash, though they currently provide only about ten percent of the annual US catch. While government regulators seek to further restrict fishing in Georges Bank , the Gulf of Maine and Southern New England waters, scientists hurry to collect critical life-history and habit data upon which management must be based. Meanwhile fishermen and their families struggle with severe economic hardship and wonder if the end of their traditional means of livelihood is now in sight.

Managing fish stocks for sustainable yields is in the interest of everyone, yet there is little agreement on how best to accomplish this difficult balancing act. The only consensus is that imperiled marine resources must be safeguarded from over exploitation and the human impacts to ecosystem functions needed to sustain harvested populations must be reduced. It is now incumbent on policy makers, scientists, advocates and fishermen themselves to provide for the recovery of these animals and the habitats upon which they depend.In order to examine these pending issues, the Goodwin-Niering Center for Conservation Biology and Environmental Studies and the Connecticut Sea Grant College Program assembled representatives from all different spheres of expertise to share insights about the present state and future prospects for New England's fisheries. The conference, held on the 16th and 17th of April, 1999 drew many people to Connecticut College's campus. Students, educators, researchers, regulators, policy makers, members of the fishing industry and concerned citizens all attended while many different points of view were presented on the problems, possible solutions, and future of this fragile ecosystem.

To begin the conference, an optional morning field trip was held. The trip included a tour of the fish dock and facilities of the Southern New England Fisherman's and Lobstermen's Association in Stonington.


As seen in the photo, the tour included a demonstration of lobster gear by Arthur Medeiros, lifetime fisherman and President of the Association. The tour of the Fisherman's Association was followed by a demonstration of gear at Wilcox Marine Supply in Mystic. After the completion of the tour, the conference lectures commenced at the college.

Welcome and Introduction: Glenn Dreyer, Executive Director, Goodwin-Niering Center, Connecticut College

SESSION I: Introduction to Key Issues Impacting New England's Fisheries 
The first session of the conference provided an introduction to the New England fisheries. Habitat, history of groundfish, and background into the fishing industry were some topics that were presented, which provided information for the remainder of the conference. 

Fisheries in a Sea of Change: Ecology and Oceanography of New England's Fishery -
Rich Wahle, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Science, West Boothbay Harbor, ME

Ten Years of Groundfish History in the Northeast -  Steve Murawski, National Marine Fisheries Service, Woods Hole, MA

The New England Commercial Fishing Industry: Developments and Trends - Michael Pol, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, Pocasset, MA 

In Their Blood: Commercial Fishing and Family Life in New England - Helen Merderer, University of Rhode Island 

SESSION II: Comparative Approaches to Fisheries Management 
The next session to take place examined different approaches to fishing management. Both the national and Canadian approaches were presented. 

Federal Regulation of Fisheries - Dave Crestin, National Marine Fisheries Service (retired Deputy Director) 

North Atlantic Fisheries Management: The Canadian Approach - Trevor Kenchinton, Gadus Associates, Nova Scotia 

The first day of conferences was capped off by a the keynote address presented by Frank Mirarchi, a long-time fisherman from Scituate, MA, seen here on the right. In his presentation titled "Thirty-five years on the Waterfront: a fisherman's perspectives", Mirarchi gave a poignant narrative of his life as a fisherman. Issues such as changes in gear, politics, and the steadfast dignity of working people flowedthroughout the length of the address. "It's important that thepublic knows and understands who the fishermen are," said Mirarchi, as he went on to tell his tale of "a fleet that cannot fish" due to catch limitations that only allow a few weeks of fishing a year which threatens the livlihoods of many fishermen. 

SESSION III. Finding Common Ground between Economy and Ecosystem 
The second day of the conference began with a group of presentations dealing with the need to find conservation measurements. The need and struggle to take into consideration both the needs of the fishermen and their families and the dire need to save exploited fish populations. As one might have imagined, this was a hot topic at the conference with many differing opinions on the best solution to this pressing issue. 

Finding a Balance between Economy and Environment - Jim O'Malley, East Coast Fisheries Federation, Narragansett, RI 

Perspectives from Non-governmental Organization - Ellie Dorsey, Marine Conservation Consultant, Washington, DC 

Economic Perspectives on Fisheries Management in New England - Jon Sutinen, University of Rhode Island 

SESSION IV: Fishing Methods and Conservation Issues
The fourth session focused on different methods and gear used in fishing. Reduction of habitat destruction and bycatch through new forms of fishing gear was of particular interest during these discussions. 

Effects of Fishing on Biodiversity and Habitat in the NW Atlantic - Joe DeAlteris, Rhode Island Sea Grant 

Conservation of Fish Stocks through Bycatch Reduction - Chris Glass, Manomet Center for Conservation Science, Manomet, MA 

Protected Species and Fishing Methods: An Overview of the Problem, Regulation, and Conservation Strategies - Lauren Allen, National Marine Fisheries Service, Gloucester, MA 

SESSION V: Maintaining a Future for Offshore Fisheries 
The last portion of the conference was dedicated to the future of the New England fishery. Presentations addressed possible ideas and suggestions on how to conserve the population while maintaining sustainable use of the fishery in order to support the families that depend on this resource for their livelihoods.  

Sustaining Harvested Fish Populations and Conserving Biodiversity: The Role of Marine Protected Areas - Peter Auster, National Undersea Research Center, Avery Point, CT  

Certified Catch: Incentives for Sustainability - Scott Burns, World Wildlife Federation, Washington, DC 

Closing Remarks: Edward Monahan, Connecticut Sea Grant