Net Results in theGulf of MaineAn innovative new partnership seeks

to improve fisheries in the Gulf of Maine and sustain New Hampshire’s struggling ground fishing fleet.

great placesin the granite state

The membership newsletter of The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire

FALL/WINTER 2013

Net Results in the Gulf of Maine

Peter Kendall was 16 when he started working on the commercial fishing pier in Portsmouth. Fishing helped put him through college, as the Gulf of Maine provided him, and others, with a good catch for many years. By the mid-2000s, he was the owner of two boats, and had managed the Portsmouth Fisherman’s Co-op off and on for almost a decade.

Then, in the middle of the 2009 fishing season, one of Kendall’s boats sank.

This was also the last season before a new system of regulation was put into effect. Moving forward, self-selecting groups of fishermen, called sectors, would have yearly limits, or quotas, on the amount of each species of groundfish - cod, pollock, hake, and flounder - they are allowed to catch. Individual fishermen own permits that allow them to catch a set fraction of the sector’s total quota. New Hampshire has two sectors, with a total of 54 permits. These permits can be bought, sold, and leased.

Prior experience with quota-based systems demonstrates that larger-scale operations tend to buy out smaller-scale fishermen, consolidating ownership of the fishery into the hands of a few.

According to Josh Wiersma, the New Hampshire Fisheries Sectors manager, New Hampshire’s small scale fishing operations are beginning to feel the squeeze.

Kendall, down to one boat, saw a future where he didn’t think he could compete. He told Wiersma he wanted to sell his permits and get out of the fishing business. But New Hampshire’s fishing community was “tapped out,” Wiersma says, and could not afford to buy the permits.

For Kendall, selling his permits on the open market was unthinkable. He knew every permit that left the state would mean fewer New Hampshire fishermen - fishermen he knew personally - and the weakening of an important industry and way of life that has been part of the region for centuries.

Keeping Kendall’s permits in the community would take creativity, and Wiersma knew just where to look. He approached Geoff Smith, the Gulf of Maine marine program director at The Nature Conservancy.

Developing Sustainable SolutionsWiersma knew that in 2009, the Conservancy created an innovative program in Midcoast Maine. With a focus on finding solutions to benefit both fisheries and local communities and ensuring a sustainable harvest, the Conservancy purchased permits from local fishermen and started a “Community Permit Bank.” The Conservancy began leasing these permits to local fishermen at favorable rates. Priority went to fishermen who partner with scientists to conduct research and test new sustainable practices and

2 FALL/WINTER 2013

Until recently, 98% of the fish caught in the waters of coastal New Hampshire has been sent elsewhere. Recognizing how the surrounding community and local economy should be key players in revitalizing the Granite State’s maritime fishing industry, area fishermen have banded together to create a harvest cooperative. New Hampshire Community Seafood reconnects local consumers with locally sourced seafood by selling directly to the community via their Community Supported Fisheries (CSF) program.

“New Hampshire Community Seafood is cultivating and nurturing a direct relationship between local fishermen and local consumers that supports our economy, increases demand for local seafood, awareness of and engagement in marine resource issues,” says Sarah VanHorn, CSF manager and co-founder. “By providing the catch associated with their two fishing permits, The Nature Conservancy is helping this effort to preserve the livelihoods of local fishermen in the Gulf of Maine.”

ON THE WEB >>Check out NH’s new CSF atwww.nhcommunityseafood.com

SUPPORTING THE GULF OF MAINE:

New Hampshire Community Seafood

“Instead of the old push-pull between fishermen and conservationists, this program encourages the two groups to work together to find ways to make fishing more sustainable - for the fish and the fishermen.” - GEOFF SMITHGulf of Maine Program Director

An innovative new partnership seeks to improve fisheries in the Gulf of Maine and sustain New Hampshire’s struggling ground fishing fleet.

yellowtail

flounder

king whitinghake

Atlantic herring

butterfish

equipment out on the water. The goal is for fishermen to use sustainable practices in their day-to-day fishing operations.

“If we’re going to ask fishermen to try new gear and fishing techniques,” Smith says, “we should put our money where our mouth is, and help offset some of the risk and cost associated with doing so. Instead of the old push-pull between fishermen and conservationists, this program encourages the two groups to work together to find ways to make fishing more sustainable - for the fishermen and Gulf of Maine.”

Incentives are not the only benefit of the partnership. By maintaining “permit banks,” the Conservancy is able to act as a buffer against consolidation, protecting New Hampshire’s local fishing operations and traditions - and the value they bring to the region.

Ensuring Fish for the Future Wiersma and Smith discussed applying the permit bank concept tested in Maine to New Hampshire’s fisheries, then

ON THE WEB >>See how you’re helping support local fishermen atwww.nature.org/explorenh

COVER: Local fisherman Neil Pike and his son, Neil, Jr. carry on the family tradition of fishing New Hampshire’s waters. LEFT: A sampling of the fish available via NH Community Seafood’s CSF. ABOVE: Preparing to ice down the day’s catch. All photos © Sarah VanHorn.

“Fishing” continued on page 4.

met with Kendall and the larger fishing community to discuss of the idea.

Admittedly, Kendall was doubtful at first, but “when you start to dig into it,” he says, “you see what they did in Maine with the permits, and what they wanted to do in New Hampshire. If it can help somebody here stay in it -keep the infrastructure, keep the docks and piers - then that’s what I want to see.”

Kendall sold his permits to The Nature Conservancy this spring. Local fishermen will soon be using them, along with more sustainable equipment and practices.

The New Hampshire permit bank includes an innovative new element to further support the industry. In 5 years, the sectors representing New Hampshire fishing communities can buy back the permits for the same price the Conservancy paid Kendall to acquire them. If fish populations rebound as hoped, the permits will be more valuable – a great advantage for a new fisherman in the industry, ensuring our local fishing tradition continues.

“Our goal is to find a solution that’s good for the Gulf, good for fishermen, and good for coastal communities.” - MARK ZANKELState Director in New Hampshire

The Committee rooms and hallways of the statehouse in Concord and the Capitol in Washington are not the typical places we imagine when thinking about important conservation work. But, decisions made by officials have far-reaching effects on natural resources in New Hampshire and across the nation.

From fisheries management to the Farm Bill, the Conservancy continues to be at the forefront of policy debates - successfully innovating and finding solutions as new, complex issues emerge.

“Making sure we are adequately addressing the impacts that large energy development projects like Northern Pass and wind farms have on our landscape definitely adds a new dimension to our work,” remarks Jim O’Brien, who directs the Chapter’s Government Relations activities.

This year, Conservancy-led advocacy efforts helped to bring full funding to New Hampshire’s Land & Community Heritage Investment Program – reversing years of inadequate state investment in land conservation. Working closely with Governor Hassan and state legislators, the Conservancy also worked to create a state energy strategy. As a result of successful legislation, the State is now developing its first comprehensive state energy plan in more than a decade.

On all the complex issues where we engage, we are able to take advantage of the Conservancy’s vast global knowledge to find solutions tailored to address New Hampshire’s unique challenges. Being able to draw on this knowledge is what makes our work in Concord and in Washington so effective.

Policy Matters: A Conservation Success Story

USING NATURE SUSTAINABLY

Building on our partnership with local fishermen, we’re taking to the water! In an effort to support their way of life while improving the health and resilience of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem, The Nature Conservancy is collaborating with fishing communities to develop and test more sustainable fishing techniques and gear.

The methods and gear vary, but one of the big concerns is bycatch: when the wrong species or fish that are too young wind up in the nets. “In New England, there are 19 ground fish stocks,” explains Geoff Smith, marine program director for the Conservancy in Maine. “Some of these stocks are relatively healthy, and others are depleted and in need of stricter protections. The problem for the fishermen is that these fish tend to swim together.” More selective gear will allow fishermen to target

healthier stocks while reducing bycatch of constrained stocks and juvenile fish.

With your support, we’ll bring together scientists who know the fish populations and behaviors, technicians who can design better gear and fishing methods, and fishermen, who know best of all what works and what doesn’t, to demonstrate how changes in fishing practices and gear can impact the overall sustainability of the Gulf of Maine.

Innovations: The Right Gear for the Right Fish“Working toward a healthier ecosystem, ensuring access to locally-caught seafood, and preserving the area’s rich fishing heritage - that’s what the permit bank program is all about,” says Mark Zankel, state director of the Conservancy in New Hampshire.

“Permit banking is a strategy that helps us think about how the Conservancy can help change the course of fisheries management in the Gulf of Maine for the better,” explained Zankel. “Our goal is to find a solution that’s good for the Gulf, good for the fishermen, and good for coastal communities.”

Kendall says he ultimately agreed to sell his permits to The Nature Conservancy because we understand the difficulties his community faces. “The Conservancy is willing to work with the fishermen, and to help the fishermen out,” he says. “I think more environmental groups could learn from it.”

“Fishing” continued from page 3

ON THE WEB >>Watch a video to see our collaborative research with Gulf of Maine fishermen in action atwww.nature.org/explorenh

Matchmaking for ElmsRestoring America’s Iconic Tree Through Genetics

Christian Marks runs a dating service. For elm trees.

As Marks sees it, American elms may be stunningly beautiful, but they could use far more help finding suitable mates than those singles scanning Match.com.

Marks, a floodplain ecologist for The Nature Conservancy’s Connecticut River Program, is leading a research effort to restore populations of elms to the Connecticut River’s floodplain forests in New Hampshire and the valley’s three other states.

As canopy trees, American elms once affected the ecology of the entire floodplain forest, the rich, fertile habitat that periodically floods along rivers and also provided flood control and cleaner water for people.

But most people knew them as trees of town and farm. They were the perfect tree for shade, to line city streets, to provide stately paths through college campuses. That is, until Dutch elm disease struck.

“There are people who can still remember huge elms lining the streets,” he says. “They once would have formed magnificent stands in floodplains. They’re so ecologically important, and it’s hard to overstate their beauty. I think we can reestablish them, but’s it going to take a lot experimentation.”

Restoring trees might seem simple: plant them and they will grow. But in this case, it will require more than Arbor Day volunteers to return elms. Marks’ project involves quests for hidden survivors, sophisticated plant breeding, clones and extensive monitoring – all aimed at speeding up the process of natural selection.

“This is what I consider my dating service,” says Marks. He’s putting resistant trees together that would never meet in nature and breeding them. “This creates more genetic diversity, and

LEFT: (top) Fisherman Vincent Balzano inspects a new net © Sean Fitzpatrick. (bottom) Mark Zankel and NH Senator Jeanne Shaheen at Lubberland Creek Preserve in Newmarket. © Jim O’Brien.ABOVE: (left) Christian Marks © Matt Miller. (right) Detail of American Elm buds © Flickr user dogtooth77.

ON THE WEB >>Know of a grand old elm?One more than 3 feet in diameter at chest height? Let us know! www.nature.org/explorenh

5 FALL/WINTER 2013

increases the chances resistant traits will be inherited by future generations of elm trees.”

The trees are planted in different environments and carefully monitored. Marks tags each tree, measures it and assesses its health. Some will prove, over the long term, to be susceptible to the disease. Others hopefully will prosper.

“Right now, about 19 out of 20 of the most resistant elm varieties survive infection,” says Marks. “That’s good, but it’s not high enough yet when you account for the disease’s evolution. We want to get up to 99 percent survival.”

An added complication will be when the trees begin to spread and encounter small, wild elms. “We don’t want the wild population swamping the resistant trees with susceptible traits,” he says.

That’s why many plant lineages and breeding and planting strategies will be essential for long-term success. “It’s conservation in the Anthropocene,” says Marks. “We’re using very sophisticated plant breeding to restore a more natural forest.”

It will take time, trial and error and lots of research, but Marks sees rewards ahead. “I can see a future where these beautiful giants are once again a part of our forest and culture,” Marks says. “It means humans will have to be matchmakers for trees, but we can do it.”

By Matt Miller, senior science writer for The Nature Conservancy: blog.nature.org/science

GIVING THANKSPublished by TheNature Conservancy,22 Bridge Street, 4th FloorConcord, NH 03301(603) 224-5853. Subscriptionsto this newsletter are availableto members.

TRUSTEESRobert Larsen, Chair

Dr. Thomas Lee, Vice Chair

Heidi Asbjornsen

Alexandra Breed

Bill Crangle

Penny Deans

Karen E. Ebel

Anne Filson

Jameson French

Stephen Frolking

Laurie Gabriel

Gerald Gartner

Richard Gould

Thomas R. Hanna

John Kieley

Dr. Frank Magilligan

Merle Schotanus

Laura Simoes

Maureen Smith

Col. Cyrus B. Sweet III

Robert W. Varney

John Weeks

Robert Wells

HONORARY TRUSTEESThomas Deans

John R. Schott

Anthony Grassi

STAFFSydney Allen

Jonathan Bailey

Christopher Bonner

Joanne Glode

Terri Hammond

Krista Helmboldt

Ray Konisky, PhD.

Megan Latour

Wink Lees

Jeff Lougee

Jan McClure

Kara McKeton

Jim O’Brien

Shannyn Smith

Peter Steckler

Lindsay Watkins

Meredeth Winter

Mark Zankel

GREAT PLACES INTHE GRANITE STATE

6 FALL/WINTER 2013

Volunteer Excellence Awards

Signing on as a founding volunteer, Lynn has been an Oyster Conservationist for 8 years. Growing oysters off of her dock, Lynn has provided valuable support for reef restoration in Great Bay, She has

also been an enthusiastic ambassador for the program throughout the seacoast, sharing her experiences and recruiting new volunteers.

Lynn Badger

Conservation Leadership Awards

In her fourth term representing New Hampshire’s seacoast region, Martha Fuller Clark has been at the center of recent debates in the statehouse on issues

relating to conservation and energy. Always looking for ways to bring people together to work towards solutions, Senator Clark has been instrumental in the development of numerous state policies that promote renewable energy, reduce

pollution, and fund important conservation programs.

Senator Martha Fuller-Clark

Currently serving her second term, Senator Jeanie Forrester has already made her mark for conservation in New Hampshire. Representing

New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, Senator Forrester has been a leader in protecting the health of our waters for both the people and the wildlife that use them. Senator Forrester has led efforts to restore funding for LCHIP, New Hampshire’s conservation funding program, and has been

instrumental in pursuing policies designed to better plan for energy development in order to protect our landscapes.

Senator Jeanie Forrester

Conservation Partner Award

Special Recognition Award

As Volunteer Legal Monitoring Interns, Merrilee and James each donated over 300 hours of their time, providing

invaluable support to our land protection efforts this summer. Together they monitored and reported on conservation

easements and deed restrictions, participated in ecological manangement at Potter Farm, assisted with preserve

stewardship, and more.

Merrilee Frable & James Newsom

EACH YEAR The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire recognizes exceptional individuals, partners and organizations that demonstrate a strong commitment to nature and our mission through excellence in volunteerism, outstanding leadership in our community, and collaboration to achieve conservation results in the Granite State. It is with great honor that we introduce the 2013 recipients!

It was “a very nice October day” in 1926 when Richard Ware and his father climbed to the top of Black Cap Mountain in North Conway, the first of more than 500 climbs Ware would complete among and far beyond the Green Hills over more than eight decades. Now living at the foot of Black Cap, Ware recalls the hikes he led for his children and his neighbors’ children. Chuckling, he tells us his old nickname: “The Pied Piper of the Green Hills.”

Richard Ware has supported the Conservancy since 1989, when we started efforts to protect the Green Hills. A member of the Green Hills Advisory Committee and donor to many conservation organizations, Ware has long recognized the value of protecting this string of small summits, home to unique red pine rocky ridge forest habitat, spectacular views, and excellent hiking.

“It’s necessary to preserve some of our heritage,” says Ware, which is why he supports the Conservancy. Ware is also a member of the Legacy Club, leaving land abutting the Green Hills Preserve in his will to us to be conserved. Perhaps most valuable of all, Ware continues to share unparalleled knowledge of the Green Hills as we work to expand and take care of the preserve.

As much as the area has changed in 90 years, Ware notes how one can still look up from the valley and see a skyline of pristine summits – something for which he is extremely grateful. We are grateful for generous supporters like him, and you, who will keep it this way for generations to come. Thank you, Richard!

Member Spotlight: Richard Ware

Conservation Partner Award

Natural Resources Conservation Service

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service has been an extraordinary conservation partner to The Nature Conservancy and many other organizations and private landowners. NRCS has provided essential funding and

expertise for our successful Ossipee Pine Barrens fire management program, oyster reef restoration

in Great Bay, and several important farm and wetland protection projects.

Special Recognition Award

New Hampshire Fish & Game Nongame & Endangered Wildlife Program

A special award willl be given in recognition of the many achievements of The New Hampshire

Fish and Game Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program, which celebrates 25 years of protecting

the state’s wildlife resources this year.

Consider joining the Legacy Club! Now in it’s 20th year, the Legacy Club recognizes inspirational commitments to the future of our natural world. There are many ways to get involved, including gifts of real estate, charitable gift annuities and more!

Or, this holiday season, consider giving a gift to nature. We welcome gifts of publicly traded stocks, bonds and mutual fund shares. The securities you use to make your gift are even tax deductable, as long as they have been held by you for at least one year and have appreciated in value.

To explore the possibilities, contact

Gift Planning at (877) 812-3698 or

legacy@tnc.org.

Join Richard in Leaving A Legacy

LEFT: (top-down) Frable & Newsom © Krista Helmboldt. Badger © Kara McKeton. Fuller-Clark © Clark Family. Forrester © Union Leader.ABOVE RIGHT: Ware © Alex Ware.

Non-ProfitOrganization

U.S. Postage PaidPalatine, IL

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The Nature Conservancy22 Bridge Street, 4th FloorConcord, New Hampshire 03301

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Exploring Winter’s WonderlandEnjoying Conservancy Preserves in Winter

Photo: Cross-country skiing at Green Hills. © Joe Klementovich

GET OUTSIDE >>

Winter in New Hampshire’s wilder places is beautiful and serene, the perfect time for you to get out and enjoy the lands that The Nature Conservancy has protected. Here are a few suggestions of where to go and what to do!

GREEN HILLS PRESERVE - North ConwayCross-Country Skiing - Snowshoeing - SnowmobilingHelpful Hint: Take the Black Cap Trail from Hurricane Mountain Road for breathtaking views of a snow-covered Mount Washington.

Get Out

and Track Wildlife

with Us!

Watch

www.nature.org/explorenh

for dates and times

beginning in January!

MANCHESTER CEDAR SWAMP PRESERVE - ManchesterSnowshoeing - Cross-Country Skiing - Wildlife TrackingHelpful Hint: With 3 loop trails totaling 1.8 miles, this is a great place to take kids. Follow the Woodland Loop and look for signs of wildlife!

LOVERENS MILL PRESERVE - Antrim, Stoddard & WindsorWildlife Tracking - Cross-Country Skiing - SnowshoeingHelpful Hint: Just beyond the boardwalk is a loop trail from which you can take in a “winter time only” view: the nearby hills of the Forest Society’s adjacent Peirce Reservation.