Petition from Rockland Harbor Lobstermen to Rockland City Council, Year 2000, opposing a marina proposed by the Samoset Resort.
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If the Samoset is allowed to build a marina along the inside of the breakwater off of Jameson Point, It will ruin the last safe traditional lobstering area in the Rockland Harbor. There are alot of men that earn their living fishing for lobsters in this harbor and have done so for many years. ( See attached photo) We ask that this area be set aside from commercial development to save it for future Rockland lobstermen.
Over the past few years activity in Rockland Harbor has increased tremendously. There are extra state ferry trips, the cement barge and most of all the sailboats and powerboats. If a marina operated in the ]ameson Point area, those boats with cutting spurs will be following the breakwater in and out, plowing right through our lobster traps. We have many reasons, for setting traps in this area.
The harbor's other safe areas away from boat traffic are along the shore, around the docks, ledges, and other obstacles. At one time it was safe to fish for lobsters in the middle of the harbor but not anymore. In the middle of the summer this is a very good place to catch lobsters, although the amount of traps that get cut off by boat is unacceptable. When you lose a trap, rope, and buoy, all geared up is worth about 60 dollars, and you 'ye also lost all the income from that trap for years.
The area along the inside of the Breakwater at Jameson Point is the only safe place of any size in Rockland Harbor left to put traps. Lobsters like that area because of the crevices in the rocks, the kelp and eel grass. This is not only safe from boat traffic but also an area you can go to haul when the weather gets rough. In short, if the Samoset is allowed to build their marina at the ]ameson Point site, they will be invading our safe haven for lobstering. When the marina grows over the years, which it will with more floats and moorings, the lobstermen will be seen as a nuisance and this area will closed to lobstering, as it has in the central mooring area.
This area should be set aside from commercial development to save this last traditional safe area for the future Rockland lobsterman, our children and grandchildren. Everyone knows the money talks. The Samoset has a lot more money then we do. But without lobstering in this harbor, what does the Rockland Lobster Festival represent?
We the undersigned, say it's time for the city to take
a stand for the Rockland Harbor lobsterman.
