YORK – Fishermen are uniting with the Old York Historical Society in an attempt to preserve some of the town’s harbor as working waterfront.

The historical society is applying for a $172,000 grant through the state Working Waterfront Access Pilot Program to turn part of the John Hancock Wharf into a commercial fishing facility that would be leased to three or four fishermen.

The working waterfront program provides funds to protect coastal properties that support commercial fishing activities.

During the past couple of decades, commercial fishermen in York have steadily lost access to the harbor as properties have changed hands.