A Lifeline for Gulf Fishermen: Catch Shares Cushion Blow for Commercial Snapper Fleet in Wake of BP Oil Disaster
Posted 09/03/2010

At the time of the BP oil disaster, the once-failing Gulf commercial red snapper fishery was beginning to rebound, in large part due to a catch shares program called individual fishing quotas introduced in 2007. Before catch shares, fishermen competed against each other in a dangerous race-to-fish before the short seasons ended. Now, fishermen are assigned a percentage of an annual sustainable catch and have a year round season. Individuals decide when to fish their secure amount, and can trade their allotments with other boats, providing incentives and accountability to save fish and the marine environment.

Solutions That Work for the Environment and Economy are More Important Than Ever
Posted 09/02/2010

We recently released a new video highlighting the results of our Gulf of Mexico Longline Gear Conversion Program, in which we helped nearly 50 boats convert to more environmentally friendly fishing gear in West Florida. We launched the Longline Gear Conversion Program last year in response to regulations that shut down longline fishing, after the government found that the gear was interacting with too many sea turtles. The ban on this widely-used type of gear was devastating for many communities in West Florida.

3 Months In: New Bedford Standard Times Provides Insight into the Progress of Catch Shares in New England
Posted 09/01/2010

This past Sunday, the New Bedford Standard Times published a set of three articles that gave insight into the progress of sectors (group catch shares) in Massachusetts. There is good news in the articles: * The fishermen who are fishing are seeing higher revenues, while others are waiting for prices to increase, a strategy they are free to employ under this system. * Sectors such as the one in New Bedford, managed by David deOliveira, are working together to manage their allocations of scarce stocks to keep everyone fishing. * Leasing allocations is of real value financially to fishermen considering retirement.