HARWICH — In an effort to help preserve the town’s commercial fishing fleet, Harbormaster John Rendone proposed this week to protect a set number of moorings for commercial fishermen. The board of selectmen voted unanimously to approve the measure.
Currently there are six moorings being used by commercial fishermen. The town also has a number of slips designated for commercial boats.
“I thinks it makes a lot of sense to try to do this,” Rendone said. “And I think it’s important to preserve what’s left of the town’s commercial fleet.”
Two moorings inside, four outside Wychmere Harbor are those being proposed for commercial designation. All are currently being used by commercial fishermen who obtained them through the waiting list. There is no special waiting list that separates commercial from recreational boating. Should any of these four boat owners choose to stop fishing, but keep the mooring for recreational reasons, Rendone said they would allowed to through grandfathering.
“That’s only fair because they had to be on the mixed waiting list,” he said.
