Martha’s Vineyard commercial fishermen let the state’s Division of Marine Fisheries know what they think of proposed rule updates and new regulations that would affect the Island fishing industry.
On a sunny, calm day with a full moon tide, Oak Bluffs charter Captain John Potter greets his guests with hugs and a big smile. Most are repeat customers or regulars.
A representative from Denmark’s largest energy company had a chilly reception in Chilmark this week as commercial fishermen and others discussed a proposed wind farm south of the Vineyard.
Born and raised Menemsha fisherman Capt. Jeff Lynch said he relied on his fishing skills gained on the Island when he caught a 700-pound bluefin tuna in Cape Cod Bay last weekend. The giant fish was shipped to Japan to be sold at a fish market.
The decline of the Vineyard's fisheries has little to do with a lack of fish and more to do with lack of access, Island fishermen say. A new regulatory system tends to favor larger companies that can afford to purchase quota from other fishermen and reinvest in equipment.