I was disappointed with The Courant's Aug. 18 editorial "Atlantic Marine Preserve Would Be Victory For Environment" endorsing a plan for President Obama to designate a marine national monument off the New England coast.
Contrary to what the editorial stated, a monument would profoundly impact commercial fishermen. The editorial cited the Natural Resources Defense Council’s claim that the “vast majority of red crab landings” along the Eastern Seaboard are outside the proposed protection area. But take it from a crab fisherman: That area is vital to our livelihoods.
It is frustrating for me to hear environmentalists say that a monument wouldn’t damage my business. It’s hard to say exactly how much fishing I would lose because there is no transparent proposal on the table, but it’s possible that it would be up to 30 percent of traditional New England fishing grounds.
