Former Wolf Advisor to Head Fisheries Trust

COURTESY OF THE CAPE COD FISHERMEN’S ALLIANCE: Seth Rolbein, the new director of the Cape Cod Fisheries Trust.

CHATHAM – The former senior advisor to Cape and Islands State Senator Dan Wolf has joined the Cape Cod Fishermen’s Alliance in a leadership role.

Seth Rolbein is the new director of the Cape Cod Fisheries Trust.

The trust was created by fishermen and the alliance to establish community ownership and management of fishing quotas by purchasing permits and leasing them to local fishermen at affordable rates.

Rolbein said the small boat fleet is vital to the region’s economy.

“I believe it’s such an important piece not only of our history and our reason for being here and calling this place Cape Cod, but for it’s connection to our future,” he said.

Rolbein began his career as a journalist on the Cape in the 1970s before joining WGBH-TV in Boston as a writer, reporter and documentary filmmaker.

He started “The Cape Cod Voice” as its editor and publisher before serving as Dan Wolf for six years as chief of staff and then senior advisor.

Rolbein said he has worked to help the fishing industry on the Cape for decades.

“If I can bring some of the stuff I’ve learned over the years, in the last six years with Senator Wolf at the State House and prior as a journalist and somebody participating in the local world, I’d be very glad to try to help,” he said.

Rolbein said the fishing industry is a great way to build a sustainable, local economy that employees people on the water front and provides a fresh resource for the region to eat and stay healthy.

“All those things combined make the mission here at the Cape Cod Fishermen’s Alliance and at the fisheries trust really close to my heart,” he said.

Paul Parker, the former director of the trust, aims to start a similar program for coastal communities in other regions of the country.

By BRIAN MERCHANT, CapeCod.com NewsCenter