Key Issues

“Hunger in the Ocean State”

“Hunger in the Ocean State”

To the Editor:

I felt compelled to write in response to your front page article; “Hunger in the Ocean State” on Wednesday January 16, 2008. I am a life long Rhode Islander and third generation commercial fisherman. The current state of affairs in Rhode Island and in particular the RI DEM is infuriating. Commercial fishermen are falling victim to the outrageous regulations imposed by the National Marine Fisheries Service and the RI DEM. Administrators and directors are literally revoking our right to fish in RI and the damages as a result are irreparable.
Our RI constitution is unique in comparison to other states. Originally created by King Charles, our RI Charter clearly states the right to a free and open access to our RI waters. Privatizing this resource at the expense of life long fishermen and all Rhode Island citizens is not only unconstitutional, but completely contradictory to the intentions of King Charles. I share this information as a catalyst to the real issue at hand; “Thousands going to sleep hungry in RI every night”.
There is an abundance of fish present in our RI waters, enough to feed every man, woman and child in this state! Current surveys show a record bio mass of fluke in the ocean, and a variety of fish stocks rising to near historic levels. Despite the bounty of seafood available, all commercial fishermen are forced to throw back tens of thousands of legal size fish in the so called name of conservation; ample fish to feed every person without food. Sadly, the majority of these returned fish will not survive and are ultimately wasted! Therefore, it is appalling that thousands of people are going hungry every day!
I learned at a young age that no individual or organization can own the sea. The sea should be viewed as an entity which is to be respected. The opportunity to coexist with it and share in the bounty of its resources for the purpose of profit and nourishment should be considered a privilege. In this day of cloned cows, poultry genetically altered through the use of hormones and steroids, and produce grown in contaminated soil it is no wonder that the overall condition of our food supply in RI and across the country is in jeopardy. Fish are among the last of wild food resources that are bountiful and untainted. The fact that I am forced to throw fish back to the ocean when I know people are going hungry makes me sick. I have no interest in profiting from the extra fish. I want hungry and malnourished people to have food. Fish is not only healthy and nutritional, but the best source of pure protein in the world.
Fellow citizens, if you are not outraged, you are not paying attention! Please call your state or local representatives. Demand change; tell them we will not tolerate privatizing of our fishing industry. If we do not speak, we cannot be heard! The ongoing mismanagement of the RI DEM will ultimately destroy not only the commercial fishing community, but the infrastructure of businesses related to the industry. Businesses in the state of RI are closing at an alarming rate. As privately owned businesses are on the decline so is our state population. For four consecutive years our state is loosing census.
Our Government subjects us to rules, regulations and taxes that set our businesses up for failure. Every year more citizens are up and leaving the state of RI in search of another state, or even another country where the government actually works for the people and not against. Let’s begin by enforcing changes that will first and foremost feed the hungry people in RI. As Rhode Islanders and Americans we need to come together and create permanent change. Therefore we need to take responsibility, and feed our hungry, change policy, and keep our state moving forward or face the alternative. The alternative is a very bleak future for all Rhode Islanders, citizens and business owners alike, if we do not take action immediately!

Brian Loftes
F/V Damariscotta
The RI Fishermen Alliance
Wakefield, RI