In Memory of Norbert Stamps

“The secret is to have research people can count on. And that also has to be collected in a way that’s efficient. That’s why I am very involved with collaborative research with the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation. I think that is the key to success, and I hope other states and other areas will adapt that more…Fishermen collect the data, they take an interest in the resource, and an interest in the outcome. And most of all, when that research is used, that is gathered collaboratively, scientists as well as fishermen working together no one questions the validity of that data, and that information. Everyone knows that’s real data, that they can hang their hat on. And you can then start the process from there.” – Norbert Stamps

The Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation and fishing community grieve the passing of our beloved friend and board member, Norbert Stamps.

Norbert Stamps was a remarkable, one-of-a-kind man, with a huge personality and an even bigger heart of gold. Norbert always loved meeting new people, making a connection, finding common ground, and especially making them laugh. Norbert was an incredible captain, and a strong advocate of collaborative research and passionate about preserving the lobster fishing industry. He was Vice President of the Atlantic Offshore Lobstermen’s Association and Board member of the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation. During his time with the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation, he was involved in the Lobster and Jonah Crab Research Fleet where he was the first to pilot and test tablet apps, and Bluetooth calipers for lobster data collection, involved in the Shelf Research Fleet, and participated in several industry panel events at the Maine Fishermen’s Forum where he encouraged others to get involved in collaborative research.

Norbert had a love for the ocean, the environment, and the people who made their living from the sea. Even in his final year of life, Norbert was able to see his ban of mass balloon release come to fruition. Click here to learn more about it.

Fair winds and following seas captain! We will miss you! Please keep Norbert’s family in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this difficult time.

Ocean Resource Privatization

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The New England groundfish debacle (Part III): who or what is at fault? Nils E. Stolpe/FishNet

It took me a while to decide how to most accurately describe the situation that has been visited upon the New England fishing communities that are and since colonial times have been dependent on the groundfish fisheries.

NILS STOLPE: The New England groundfish debacle (Part IV): Is cutting back harvest really the answer?

While it’s a fact that’s hardly ever acknowledged, the assumption in fisheries management is that if the population of a stock of fish isn’t at some arbitrary level, it’s because of too much fishing. Hence the term “overfished.” Hence the mandated knee jerk reaction of the fisheries managers to not enough fish; cut back on fishing. What of other factors? They don’t count. It’s all about fishing, because fishing is all that the managers can control; it’s their Maslow’s Hammer. When it comes to the oceans it seems as if it’s about all that the industry connected mega-foundations that support the anti-fishing ENGOs with hundreds of millions of dollars a year in “donations” are interested in controlling. Read the article here

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