Tag Archives: Jason Jarvis
US Coastal Communities Fight for Space for Small-scale Fishermen
U.S. coastal waters are a public good increasingly at risk of privatization, threatening local economies that have depended on the sea for generations, fishermen and environmental advocates warned. Critics point to efforts to open up waters to industrial-scale fish farms, (offshore wind farms), a federal permit system they say is stacked against small or new operators, and even coastal real estate development squeezing out independent businesses. “There is another real estate grab, but it’s in the ocean,” said Jason Jarvis, a commercial fisherman in Rhode Island who has been fishing for three decades and also sits on the board of the North American Marine Alliance (NAMA), a national network that seeks to boost fishing communities. “This is a gold rush,” said Crystal Canney, executive director of Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage Foundation, which has worked on model legislation to help towns push back. The efforts are prompting inquiries from concerned communities in other coastal states, she said. “The questions are really, do we have any rights?” more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 12:30
Fishermen gather in D.C. to press Congress for ‘catch share’ changes
fishermen from each corner of the country descended on the nations capital last week banding together to confront what they describe as a predatory regulatory system that treats fishing rights “like stocks on Wall Street.” The group of more than a dozen fishermen make up a loose organization known as the Catch Share Reform Coalition. They presented a proposal to several U.S. senators, members of Congress and the head of NOAA Fisheries to rework regulations that they say have enabled investors to amass large amounts of fishing permits, cornering parts of the industry at the expense of local fishermen. Members of the group each fish out of different ports, using different types of gear and fishing for different species. But they said they are all united in their goal to keep fishing rights in the hands of local fishermen. >click to read< 07:06
Westerly Town Council seeks input on marina property – Fishermen weigh in.
The Town Council will accept input from members of the Planning Board and the Economic Development Commission as it prepares for a new contract for use of town-owned waterfront property on Margin Street. The council also heard from two commercial fishermen on Monday. The council also heard from two commercial fishermen on Monday. Some fishermen who live in the town lease space from commercial marinas, and others like himself, work out of other towns, including Stonington, said Josiah Dodge. Space in a public facility would allow fishermen to sell their catch directly and provide service to local restaurants, Dodge said. Jason Jarvis, who also lives in the town and works as a commercial fisherman, asked town officials to have a conversation with the fishermen. >click to read< 08:08
