Christine Sykes
Sector Management in New England
This project documents fishery management related changes in individuals, households, and communities in New England.
Elizabeth Wetterhahn
Christine Sykes, 60, is the wife of commercial fisherman Rodman Sykes who fishes out of Point Judith, RI. Though she is not from a fishing family, her husband is and has been fishing since he was 17, working with his grandfather. He currently targets finfish, especially yellowtail and codfish, and sometimes squid. He is a sector member. Mrs. Sykes believes that increased regulations, including those related to sectors, lead to more stress, often with respect to heavy observer coverage on the vessel. Though some of the stress has also been mitigated by sectors because fishing is now a bit more flexible, she believes that due to observers and increased regulation and resultant stress, her husband no longer enjoys fishing as he used to. The Sykes have benefited financially from sectors, though their overall quality of life and relationships have not changed since the implementation of sector management.
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