Eric Reid
Sector Management in New England
This project documents fishery management related changes in individuals, households, and communities in New England.
Samantha Sperry
Eric Reid, 54, is a seafood wholesaler and former commercial fisherman in Point Judith, Rhode Island. He began fishing when he was a boy, with his uncles who were, in his words, "artisanal fishermen"; he began working on deck on a party boat at age 12 and got his captain's license at age 19. Since that time he has worked on a multitude of different boats in many different fisheries. He owned 2 boats at the same time, one of which was in the commonpool when sector management started but was then switched to sector 5 as an inactive member, only leasing his quota, about 2 years ago, just after sectors began. Mr. Reid does not think sector management is the best management tool, saying it often leads to a lot of anxiety and stress for many involved with the fishery. He has felt minimal impact of sectors in his personal life; beyond the stress associated with selling his boat, he has experienced no real change in quality of life as a result of sectors, However, he has experienced change, positive and negative, as a result of being associated with the seafood business in general.
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