The precedent-setting proposal runs contrary to the intent and spirit of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and is premised on an unfair design that compromises the program’s effectiveness, said Portland, Ore.-based Ecotrust.
The Pacific Fishery Management Council is advancing a catch share program to rationalize the West Coast non-whiting trawl fleet, with an implementation deadline of January.
The proposed program would downsize the existing trawl fleet and assign quota shares in the fishery to remaining members, with the goals of increasing economic efficiency within the Pacific coast groundfish trawl fishery and reducing bycatch.
Ecotrust
