The Debate !

There's been alot of debate about the future of Gloucester harbor during the past year. Some would like it to remain primarily as it is,reserved for commercial fishing while others see a mix use between recreational & commercial.As the fishing industry today struggles on and less fishing boats call Gloucester home, a look back in history can help the debate.Back in the early 1960's the harbor was home to over 400 fishing vessels. At times of holidays such as Christmas and the St. Peter's Fiesta just about every available dock space was occupied by fishing boats rafted up to as many as 5 or more!You could almost jump from boat to boat and make it at least half way around the harbor!Back in those days the harbor was home to many more recreational boats than there is today!Bickford Marina on Rocky Neck had slips for hundreds of boats.Their floats stretched out into Smith's Cove as far as the Studio restaurant! Over in Cripple Cove the marina there had at least twice as many boats as there are today! But now zoning restrictions have limited the available dockage. This boosts the prices of dockage and shuts out many local citizens from the use of their own harbor!Waiting lists are in the decades for moorings and slips. History says that both commercial and pleasure interests can co-exist. Re-writing exsisting restrictions can and will help make Gloucester harbor grow and thrive. And if done right,maintain it's artistic and economic strengths!