Scup

As many of the form members know, I am a very small commercial pin fisherman. I frequent the Stonington Commercial Docks as that is where I have to go to sell my meager catch to the wholesaler. Two days ago, I was talking my neighbor Joe Renderio, a retired trawler captain that once operated out of Stonington, was the president of the fisherman's association, and still a very colorful individual. Usually, we never agree on anything, but after brainstorming the current situation concerning the commercial plight, we are of the same mind. While many fishing boats in the past were forced out of the commercial fishing business due to government, operational, and financial hardships placed on them, the fleet as a whole has survived. The current fuel crisis is going to be the final straw that broke the back of the camel. Simply put, they are not going to be able to make it through this final hardship. A chain reaction has already started, and there are warning signs out there for all to see. At first, I was not too upset with the thought of the demise of the trawlers as many times I had to fish in the wake of one. I am sure most of us at one point or another have all wished they would just go away. However, what Joe had said, scared me far more than even the worse scenario I could have ever imagine. This is how I see it being played out:
The boats will not leave port if they have to operate in the red. Some will try to defy the odds, but sooner or later, diminished allowable catches and soaring fuel prices will reduce the fish landings to nil. The wholesalers make their profit on the fish they redistribute. Their very survival depends on the fleet to bring them the fish that they redistribute to various markets. Should the boats not bring the fish to port, the wholesaler will collapse. Even if one or two trawlers should survive this holocaust, they cannot continue to exist without a place to sell their catch. Well, why not let them transit to Point Judith and sell their catch there? The current fuel crisis effects all who fish our seas in boats whether it is a Stonington trawler or a shrimper out of Mayport. Why would anyone think Point Judith would be immune to this crisis? Being a very short sighted individual I had stopped thinking about what will follow with the mindset of "so what, there will be more fish out there for me". Really! When our fishing fleets collapse across the land, boats will go up for sale at a fraction of their worth. The small individually owned boats will be no more. The remains of what has been our fishing fleet will be absorbed into perhaps two or three massive associations (consortium if you prefer). They will be the equivalent of the Bear Stearns or the Exxon of the fishing community. Do really think that trawlers will no longer leave our ports when there are still fish in our oceans and profits to be made? The situation has now changed drastically as the limited influence of small group of fishermen is replaced by the control of a few but powerful and influential associations. Laws will be passed to ease or subsidized fuel cost for the fleet as you will be told this is necessary to prevent the collapse of the fishing industry. You be lied to once again with "illegal immigrants will do the work that Americans are not willing to do". If you really believe this, I suggest you stand on the Stonington Commercial dock at 1030 AM and take a good long look at the hard working strong armed men aboard a trawler as it pulls into port. They have worked nonstop for hours on end only with the prospects of having to repeat the process, if allowed, after a short stay in port. Turn around and peek into the wholesalers manned by equally hard working men moving ice, sorting fish, lifting heavy totes filled with fish, and loading trucks. Look hard and remember what you see because soon it will only be a memory. We are in an age and country when it seems every week we hear about another politician pushing for a program not in the best interests of this land; whether is a giving control of our ports to foreign nations, pushing military contracts abroad, or the financial bailout of financial concerns at tax payers’ expense. Many politicians can be bought for next to nothing. The only thing we have left that is saving what little remainder exists of our fisheries are the fisheries commissions and the DEP. Just how long do you think it will be before they will be influenced by the remaining massive associations? It is not the local DEP enforcement agent that checks your catch that will be targeted, but those much higher up. Honest men will be pushed aside. Future lush job offers will be offered, donations will be made, and large fees will be paid to some as they speak out at lectures on how to save the environment. Sooner or later, and you know I am right; these large associations will have laws passed to favor their interests. Now the stage is set for the appearance of the super trawlers, manned by illegal immigrants working at minimum wage, little or no hindrance of fuel or conservation laws, and with an international open market to sell their product. Our oceans will be stripped of fish! What will remain of our charter boats will delegated to providing tours and head boats will disappear. I am not sure if I am an old fool or a visionary, but it really does not matter, things will still happen. I cannot understand why the Stonington Commercial Dock has just undergone a complete re-electrification. It was a massive project taking months to compete. Just how much electricity is needed by a small trawler, cold iron, and in port? Certainly it was not done for the benefit of the fishermen. Perhaps I am just naive, as plans might have already been made for what is to follow even before the final nail is driven into the coffin of our dying commercial fleet.

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"Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go" by William Feather