“There is no future (for commercial fishermen) unless we make our voices known,” said David G. Bergeron, executive director of the Massachusetts Fishermen’s Partnership, in Gloucester, Mass. “We can change national policy to have our voices heard.”

According to Bergeron, more than 40 percent of fishermen nationally have no health insurance. Bergeron said his organization got $2 million in federal funds to reduce premium costs when they set up their own fishermen’s health care plan in Massachusetts, with premiums on a sliding scale.

Bergeron said his organization was able to track utilization of those federal funds and found that for every dollar put into it they saved the state $4, particularly in use of emergency room services. “Now the fishermen get health care, the state saves money and Massachusetts has passed a health care reform package based on our program,” he said.

Bergeron said his organization had one member, a fisherman from Salem, Mass., who hadn’t seen a doctor in 20 years. He went for a check-up and found out he had a heart valve problem. The man was able to have surgery and is now back to supporting himself, his wife and three children, Bergeron said. “It doesn’t always end with a life saved, but they (members) know they got the best care,” he said. “There is a dignity associated with the program.”

Bergeron said legislation before Congress, now in the revision of the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act, would allow for the development of similar programs nationally.

Bergeron, a third-generation commercial fisherman, was joined in the discussion at Seattle’s Qwest Field Event Center by several speakers, including Joe Childers, executive director of the Western Gulf of Alaska Fishermen’s Association. Childers is a member of the Commercial Fishermen of America’s national steering committee.

“Commercial fishermen have no positive voice either nationally or regionally,” Childers said. “This industry needs to come together and promote itself. The Commercial Fishermen of America has the potential. We can do a lot of good.”

“It’s high time we had something like this,” said Jeremy Brown, of the Washington Trollers Association. “If you really don’t think we need a national voice, you haven’t been paying attention.”

It was the second consecutive appearance at the annual fisheries exposition in Seattle for the CFA. The group’s stated mission is to promote the heritage and values of America’s commercial fishermen and the communities they support, to unite fishermen, to educate the public about the importance of fishermen and seafood, and to promote investment and economic development of the industry, with related scientific research.

Dave Harsilla, president of the Alaska Independent Fishermen’s Marketing Association, in Seattle, said he felt the CFA had good ideas, but that it would take some time to accomplish their mission.

Harsilla estimated it would take another five years for the group to gain momentum, “but everyone sees the merit,” he said. “This is the second time they have been out here for the show. That shows consistency and effort, both good signs.”

Margaret Bauman can be reached at margie.bauman@alaskajournal.com.