The Pew Environment Group has voiced its concern about the proposed US west coast trawl fishery catch share programme, following the publication of a new study by Ecotrust.
“The Ecotrust study reinforces Pew’s position that design matters when creating catch shares programmes. It is critical that fisheries managers design these systems to both strengthen conservation efforts and protect those fishermen and fishing communities that support sustainable fishing practices,” said Lee Crockett, Pew’s director of Federal Fisheries Policy.
While the Ecotrust report underscored that catch shares are not a one-size-fits-all solution for fisheries management, Pew believes the sector allocation system implemented in New England’s groundfish fishery, which is based on a method pioneered and proven to work by a group of local fishermen in the region, is thoughtfully considered and well designed.
New England’s sectors were initiated by fishermen as voluntary, cooperative and community-based, and were designed to protect fleet diversity and coastal communities.
According to Peter Baker, Pew’s manager for New England Fisheries Campaign, they give a collective of fishermen incentives to fish their allocations more efficiently.
“Those who develop more innovative fishing gear can target more of the healthy fish populations and avoid those populations that are struggling. This will help rebuild stocks while reaping the benefits of market demand. New England’s sector program has just begun, and it deserves time to work,” said Baker.
Pew provided support for the Ecotrust report. To read the study visit:
http://www.ecotrust.org/workingpapers/WPS6_Fair_Catch.pdf
