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Resident tells PDA board commercial fishermen feel unwelcome and unsafe at Rye/Bridal Harbor
Summary
A public commenter at the Pease Development Authority meeting said commercial fishermen told her they feel unwelcome at Rye/Bridal Harbor, citing missing pilings, new rules restricting seating and a lack of railings on commercial piers; she urged the board to address safety concerns before prioritizing building projects.
During the public‑comment period a resident described attending recent Rye/Bridal Harbor sessions and relayed concerns raised by commercial fishermen who say they no longer feel welcome at the harbor.
The commenter said fishermen reported missing pilings, safety issues on the commercial piers and that new rules limited where people could sit near their shacks. She said one fisherman told the meeting he had "never felt more not welcome" and urged the board to prioritize basic safety features—such as railings—on the commercial side before focusing on building projects.
Board members acknowledged the comment; one board member noted they had attended on‑site sessions and others said staff had scheduled low‑tide walkovers so stakeholders could point out problems. Staff and board members did not commit to a specific remediation timeline in the public session. The comment was received during the public‑comment portion; it did not trigger a formal agenda item or motion during the meeting.
