How do the arcane decisions of fishery management affect peoples' lives? How do the deeply ingrained traditions of fishing, fishermen, and fishing communities influence the outcome of management decisions? How much does the adaptive behavior of fishermen influence the effectiveness of fishery management? Fishery management errs in attempting to substitute technical analysis for an understanding of the fishing culture. This paper is a narrative that contrasts the unfulfilled promise of an exclusive fishing zone for American fishermen with New England's contemporary experience.