PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • May 2, 2023
This week I launched the New England Fishermen Stewardship Association, a nonprofit, non-partisan advocacy group to promote the interests of working fishermen and sound stewardship of our ocean. No one would accuse New England fishermen of getting along well. For the sake of our livelihoods and the prosperity of our maritime communities, that has to change. I’m bracing for an 82% reduction for authorized haddock landings set to take effect on May 1. The lobstermen similarly face regulatory oblivion. On top of this regulatory onslaught, energy officials and foreign green energy companies are working to develop offshore wind farms that threaten our access to fish stocks. ~ Jerry Leeman, New England Fishermen Stewardship Association