If Dempsey is not selected to replace Pappalardo, the Cape's population of commercial fishermen, which derive their living from the sea, will be disenfranchised from the decision-making process that most affects their lives.

Currently, no other council member that represents commercial fishing interests is based on the Cape, which has a unique small day-boat fishery. The fishery requires a different set of considerations from the larger off-shore fleets based in Gloucester and New Bedford.

So, first of all, the council needs a hook and line representative. The overwhelming majority of council members represent draggers or trawlers.