"PEW-trified Fisheries Management" "It's great to see all you fishermen out here exercising your right to peaceful assembly. You know a wise person once said to me that the only way to protect your rights is to assert your rights. So I'm here today to talk to you about how you can assert your rights; especially the ones you don't realize you have."
If you would like some of our bumperstickers just e-mail us your name and address along with the number of stickers you want to SaveTheFishermen@aol.com
For More Info about The Sector Protest Contact Amanda Odlin aodlin@maine.rr.com (207) 885-1335 47 Dresser Rd, Scarborough, ME 04074
American Alliance of Fishermen and their Communities
A new non-profit corporation has been formed called the American Alliance of Fishermen and their Communities (AAFC). The purpose of AAFC is to preserve our fisheries, our businesses, and our way of life. The AAFC is preparing a legal challenge to the proposed sector regulations known as Amendment 16 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. We believe that Amendment 16 threatens our livelihoods and is a violation of Federal Law, including the U.S. Constitution. We are in the process of retaining the law firm of Edwards, Angell, Palmer, & Dodge, LLP, which is prepared to proceed on the industry's behalf provided that we raise the funding needed to cover legal fees and expenses. We know this challenge will be met with much resistance, therefore we know this challenge will be expensive. AAFC is seeking your financial support to fund this litigation, and we ask that you support us as soon as possible. Please direct all questions that you may have to Tina Jackson, President, AAFC, at 401-837-6932.
AAFC has met with Edwards, Angell, Palmer, & Dodge LLP and have discussed the possible grounds to challenge Amendment 16. The firm has conducted a preliminary assessment of our case and has not charged us for services to date. The firm is a major Boston law firm, and the case will be handled by attorneys in their Providence office. We believe it is best to hire a large law firm with the resources to fully represent the industry's interests rather than a small firm that may not have the resources to challenge NMFS/NOAA. The firm has requested that it be apprised of any other challenges to Amendment 16 so that we all can work together. You may contact Tina at the above number for further information regarding the specific contact at Edwards Angell.
Most boats in our area, Pt. Judith, have pledged $1,000 per boat. Obviously, we know that times are extremely tough for everyone and we certainly do not expect every person who donates to give that much. Therefore, every penny is going to count and we are asking that you give what you can. The burden should not have to fall on boat owners alone, it would be generous of all who would be affected such as Fish Dealers, Auction Houses, Repair Shops, Gear Retailers, Ice Dealers, and any other industry related persons who are going to be negatively affected by sectors, or people who just feel that sectors are entirely wrong. We believe that with the momentum we have going regarding the fishing industry itself, our chances of gaining more ground by hiring this firm will give us more exposure and heighten our chances of winning. If we are successful, this will set precedence for all fisheries across the nation and for all sectors that were implemented and put hard-working fishermen out of business.
AAFC is currently working on a Web-site to keep everyone updated as to the course of the litigation. The interim rule regarding sectors has not yet been signed into law, so we cannot file any challenge until it is, but we need to gather as much evidence as possible before litigation is commenced. Therefore, the monies are needed at this time.
AAFC has been advised that a substantial challenge may cost at least $200,000 in legal fees and expenses, including expenses for expert witnesses. The firm has requested a retainer of $25,000 to begin work. Considering the damage that Amendment 16 will create, we believe that it is worth every penny to go forward with this challenge. If we win this challenge, we can try to recoup our monies, the funds can go back into the AAFC, and we can use those funds to litigate more challenges that have either been forced upon us in the past or any new challenge that will continue to destroy our way of life.
At present, your donation can be listed for a business expense. Tina is presently working on tax-deductible status, but the AAFC has to be careful as to which tax deductible status we choose. Tax-exemption status limits an organization's ability to fight/lobby in the senate and congress. There will be several AAFC members at the October 30th protest and will be available to answer any questions you may have regarding this challenge. Tina Jackson and several board members will be speaking at the protest so they will be identifiable to all.
You may send your contribution to:
American Alliance of Fishermen and their Communities
AAFC- Tina Jackson, President
P.O. Box 5490
Wakefield, RI 02880
Please indicate on your check whether you would like to be a member. Just write "member" in the memo portion of your check. By indicating your membership, you will automatically be represented in the litigation under the AAFC title.
This is the story of how a handful of scientists set out from Oregon with an unshakable belief that they knew what was best for the rest of us. They ended up conquering the world (or at least the watery portions of it) and got rich along the way, while the fishermen and their families only worked harder and got poorer. When their scientific dogma connected with nearly unlimited resources, the earth quaked and the resulting tidal wave swept aside all the usual checks and balances. It carried along the media, the politicians, the government agencies and the non-governmental organizations with such force that seemingly no one could stand against the tide."
"The myth of the kind-hearted, philanthropic Pew family was created by the Sun Oil Co and carefully nurtured and managed by the Pew public relations machine. This fairytale has been repeated hundreds of times, but it has never been carefully scrutinized and dissected until now. This is, in part, because most sources of hard information were archived by the Pew heirs and their hired representatives. Nevertheless, a close examination of the published Pew family chronology (when put in the context of the turbulent times they lived in) reveals a much darker story."
One way to “Save The Fishermen” is to repair streams that once had fish runs every spring. Ocean stocks are greatly tied to inland swamps, ponds ,streams and marshes. Repairing historic fish “highways” will benefit commercial fishermen out at sea. Big fish feed on little fish that breed inland. We are fully convinced that the blocking of streams and rivers has had the greatest effect on stock depletion.
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