HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCCFAletterreGG21024
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Andrew Baler • Richard Banks • Charles Borkoski • Greg Connors • Beau Gribbin
Eric Hesse • Barry LaBar • Sam Linnell • Bradley Louw • Kurt Martin • Jesse Rose • Brian Sherin
1566 Main Street, Chatham, MA 02633 (508) 945-2432 info@capecodfishermen.org www.capecodfishermen.org
Celebrating 30 years. Navigating 30 more.
10/24/2024
Chairman Lee and members of the conservation commission,
The Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance does not support the Coast Guard’s
Notice of Intent, NOI, to permanently remove the “riprap mounds” at Collier’s Ledge
and the Southwest Rock Daybeacon. Our reasons for recommending denial are
manifold and include habitat concerns, impacts to the fisheries, prioritization of local
knowledge and loss of cultural traditions,
The Fishermen’s Alliance was formed in 1991 by a group of fishermen who believed
federal regulators were not adequately protecting fish habitat and therefore putting the
industry at risk. More than three decades later, we are a member-based, nonprofit
organization that works to build lasting solutions to protect our ecosystem and the
future of our fisheries. We work with 150 fishing businesses and more than 300 fishing
families, making our organization the leading voice for commercial fishermen on Cape
Cod.
Whether it’s an improvement to fishing regulations, expanded research programs, or
educational and economic development projects in our communities, our work is
guided by the energy, innovation and expertise of local fishermen.
We have worked with Captain Jake Angelo on multiple occasions and find him to be a
knowledgeable and staunch advocate for sustainable commercial fisheries and the
coastal communities that rely on them. He is among a number of young fishermen who
have made a successful career of commercial fishing during a time of unpredictable
markets and changing ocean conditions.
Angelo, a native of Barnstable, is familiar with Collier’s and the southwest beacon and
said he learned to fish there. Angelo sees fishermen at the rock piles when he goes to
work, and it is likely the spot has prompted young fishermen to fall in love with fishing
and imagine a career in the industry. Although facing “greying of the fleet,” the Cape’s
commercial fisheries generate close to $250 million a year.
Angelo has observed first-hand how the two rock piles – one of which has likely existed
in some form since the 1800s - are nurseries for eggs and crucial habitat for young
black sea bass, scup and tautog. He has dived on the area and noted the eelgrass and
said removing even a portion of the pile would be detrimental.
Other fishermen, commercial and recreational alike, have stated that “everyone”
knows about Collier’s Ledge and echoed that it was one of the best places to catch
black sea bass, scup and tautog. Both sea bass and scup are climate winners as our
ocean warms and are an important part of fishermen’s future business plans.
Tautog also has an important role to play. There are ongoing research projects on the
Cape to raise tautog in an aquaculture setting, as it is important economically and
supply falls far short of demand. Removing a key habitat would deepen the problem
the wild fishery faces. In a time where biologists are focused on building artificial reefs
to provide essential fish habitat, it seems wrong-headed to remove long-standing
structures.
The fishing industry has long depended on the Coast Guard, but we do not agree
Collier’s or the SW rock are significant navigational hazards considering their
exceptional longevity and consistent inclusion on nautical charts.
For these reasons and more we ask the commission to deny the notice of intent.
Thank you for your consideration.
Smooth seas,
John Pappalardo
Chief Executive Officer