In It for the Long Haul

In It for the Long Haul. 1990 - Modern Day. , Galilee's spirit of open-mindedness and innovation has always given it an edge., An industry innovates to fashion its future. , After the fleet build-up of the 1970s, New England fishermen came face to face with the finite limits of fishery resources. As catches began to plateau, it became clear that no amount of additional horsepower, technology, or distance traveled could increase the long-term yield of the fish species they depended on., But as other ports around New England began to languish, Galilee reinvented itself. Local fishermen pioneered the development of an offshore lobster fishery and onboard freezing systems. Local processors developed new export markets by sending tuna and butterfish to Japan, squid to Greece and Spain, monkfish to Korea, and mackerel to Canada., That same ingenuity has made a regional leader in gear technology and cooperative research. Groundbreaking partnerships between industry members and scientists have led to better understandings of fish behavior, stock abundance, environmental changes, and bycatch reduction methods., Fishing in the 21st century is no longer just about catching fish. To sustain their businesses, fishermen must work within and outside of the fishing community to create economic value, improve fisheries science and management, and build bridges with the community. In its second century, Galilee's spirit of innovation is becoming more important than ever in assuring a bright future for Rhode Island fisheries., [Captions:] , Point Judith stayed ahead of the curve by building overseas markets for longfin squid and butterfish in the 1980s. Squid is now the state's largest fishery and the Rhode Island state appetizer!, Fishermen participate in cooperative research with scientists in partnership with organizations like the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation, universities, and state and federal agencies.