FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kathleen Goldstein, Environmental Defense, 202-841-0295

Changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Act Considered

Senate Worked With Environmental Defense, Fishermen and Community
Leaders

(December 15, 2005 - Washington, DC) Today, the Senate considered
changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
(MSA), which governs all fishery management activities within the
federal 200-mile limit through eight Regional Fishery Management
Councils. The bill contains several important conservation reforms,
including limited access privilege programs (LAPPs), key management
tools that can make our fisheries more sustainable and profitable.
Although the original legislation introduced last month contained
provisions that hampered the LAPP process and limited their
effectiveness, Environmental Defense successfully joined with fishermen
and community leaders to amend these provisions, and new language was
included in the bill today.

"The Commerce Committee's action takes the country a step closer to a
new era for ocean stewardship in which conservation can make good
business sense for fishermen," said Environmental Defense Oceans
Program Director David Festa. "This will lead to economically viable
fishing communities, better recreational opportunities and supplies of
fresh seafood. Environmental Defense commends the Senate for working
actively with fishermen and the conservation community to craft a
workable solution."

LAPPs - catch shares - have proven to be environmentally and
economically effective in New Zealand, British Columbia and Alaska.
Under this system, fishermen are allocated shares of the annual catch,
which they can buy and sell with other fishermen. Unlike government
mandates limiting fishermen's flexibility, catch shares allow fishermen
to work year-round when market and weather conditions are most
advantageous. Catch shares help fishermen cut costs, improve the
quality of their fish, maximize dockside prices and prevent the waste
of millions of fish each year that must be discarded. Just as shares
of a company become more valuable if the company is well-managed,
fishermen's shares gain value when fish populations increase through a
well managed fishery. The fishermen now have a financial interest in
conservation measures that protect the ocean.

At the same time, the bill includes important design features that
affect whether a system of catch shares will be fair, equitable and
promote good stewardship of our nation's fisheries. These features
include methods for determining who gets initial allocations of catch
shares, how shares can be traded and the nature of conservation and
other safeguards.

"The recent U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy recommended catch shares as
a key management tool. And, in September, the Administration
explicitly called for doubling the existing number of these programs,"
said Environmental Defense Oceans Program Deputy Director Johanna
Thomas. "Clearly there is broad political support for these programs."

There is stakeholder support as well. Environmental Defense is working
with several fishing groups in New England to support their efforts to
develop fishing cooperatives, working in California to promote working
waterfronts and in the Pacific to develop a quota system for
groundfish. We are also working closely with fishermen, government
officials and other partners in the Gulf of Mexico to design fishing
quota systems for red snapper and reef fish, shrimp and other key
fisheries. Gulf snapper fisherman Captain Donald Waters acknowledges
that "we need quota programs to save the fish and our livelihoods,
which are jeopardized by overfishing caused by out-of-date
regulations." Recent hurricanes have only highlighted the need for
better fisheries management to improve the Gulf's struggling fisheries.

Fishermen in these fisheries strongly support catch share programs, but
in its original form, the Senate bill placed unnecessary obstacles to
establishing these programs by creating onerous, bureaucratic hurdles.
The earlier bill called for a 50% vote by permit holders to discuss
enacting a catch share program, and an additional 2/3 majority vote of
permit holders in New England and the Gulf of Mexico before finalizing
a plan.

Environmental Defense quickly coordinated a strong response by
community leaders and fishermen to reach an agreement with the Senate
Commerce Committee on how to move forward with these innovative tools.
The committee passed an amended bill today that allows for flexibility
in starting catch share programs, allowing catch share programs to be
launched through the council process or by a majority petition by the
fishermen in the fishery. For New England and Gulf fisheries, the
final referendum will apply only to individual fishing quota programs
and still require a super majority vote.

With the approval of the Senate bill by the Commerce Committee, the
bill will head to the Senate floor next year. The House has yet to
offer a bill.

"Catch shares are one of the only management tools that benefit both
fish and fishermen. They expand the economic benefits of the
fisheries, preserve maritime heritage and protect the environment,"
said Environmental Defense Ocean Policy Specialist Amanda Leland.
"When the Senate votes on this early next year, it is an opportunity
for Congress to do the right thing by making sure these key management
tools can be put to work."

###

Chuck,
This sounds like a Win-Win. What do the detractors say?


wrote in message
oups.com...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kathleen Goldstein, Environmental Defense, 202-841-0295

Changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Act Considered

Senate Worked With Environmental Defense, Fishermen and Community
Leaders

(December 15, 2005 - Washington, DC) Today, the Senate considered
changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
(MSA), which governs all fishery management activities within the
federal 200-mile limit through eight Regional Fishery Management
Councils. The bill contains several important conservation reforms,
including limited access privilege programs (LAPPs), key management
tools that can make our fisheries more sustainable and profitable.
Although the original legislation introduced last month contained
provisions that hampered the LAPP process and limited their
effectiveness, Environmental Defense successfully joined with fishermen
and community leaders to amend these provisions, and new language was
included in the bill today.

"The Commerce Committee's action takes the country a step closer to a
new era for ocean stewardship in which conservation can make good
business sense for fishermen," said Environmental Defense Oceans
Program Director David Festa. "This will lead to economically viable
fishing communities, better recreational opportunities and supplies of
fresh seafood. Environmental Defense commends the Senate for working
actively with fishermen and the conservation community to craft a
workable solution."

LAPPs - catch shares - have proven to be environmentally and
economically effective in New Zealand, British Columbia and Alaska.
Under this system, fishermen are allocated shares of the annual catch,
which they can buy and sell with other fishermen. Unlike government
mandates limiting fishermen's flexibility, catch shares allow fishermen
to work year-round when market and weather conditions are most
advantageous. Catch shares help fishermen cut costs, improve the
quality of their fish, maximize dockside prices and prevent the waste
of millions of fish each year that must be discarded. Just as shares
of a company become more valuable if the company is well-managed,
fishermen's shares gain value when fish populations increase through a
well managed fishery. The fishermen now have a financial interest in
conservation measures that protect the ocean.

At the same time, the bill includes important design features that
affect whether a system of catch shares will be fair, equitable and
promote good stewardship of our nation's fisheries. These features
include methods for determining who gets initial allocations of catch
shares, how shares can be traded and the nature of conservation and
other safeguards.

"The recent U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy recommended catch shares as
a key management tool. And, in September, the Administration
explicitly called for doubling the existing number of these programs,"
said Environmental Defense Oceans Program Deputy Director Johanna
Thomas. "Clearly there is broad political support for these programs."

There is stakeholder support as well. Environmental Defense is working
with several fishing groups in New England to support their efforts to
develop fishing cooperatives, working in California to promote working
waterfronts and in the Pacific to develop a quota system for
groundfish. We are also working closely with fishermen, government
officials and other partners in the Gulf of Mexico to design fishing
quota systems for red snapper and reef fish, shrimp and other key
fisheries. Gulf snapper fisherman Captain Donald Waters acknowledges
that "we need quota programs to save the fish and our livelihoods,
which are jeopardized by overfishing caused by out-of-date
regulations." Recent hurricanes have only highlighted the need for
better fisheries management to improve the Gulf's struggling fisheries.

Fishermen in these fisheries strongly support catch share programs, but
in its original form, the Senate bill placed unnecessary obstacles to
establishing these programs by creating onerous, bureaucratic hurdles.
The earlier bill called for a 50% vote by permit holders to discuss
enacting a catch share program, and an additional 2/3 majority vote of
permit holders in New England and the Gulf of Mexico before finalizing
a plan.

Environmental Defense quickly coordinated a strong response by
community leaders and fishermen to reach an agreement with the Senate
Commerce Committee on how to move forward with these innovative tools.
The committee passed an amended bill today that allows for flexibility
in starting catch share programs, allowing catch share programs to be
launched through the council process or by a majority petition by the
fishermen in the fishery. For New England and Gulf fisheries, the
final referendum will apply only to individual fishing quota programs
and still require a super majority vote.

With the approval of the Senate bill by the Commerce Committee, the
bill will head to the Senate floor next year. The House has yet to
offer a bill.

"Catch shares are one of the only management tools that benefit both
fish and fishermen. They expand the economic benefits of the
fisheries, preserve maritime heritage and protect the environment,"
said Environmental Defense Ocean Policy Specialist Amanda Leland.
"When the Senate votes on this early next year, it is an opportunity
for Congress to do the right thing by making sure these key management
tools can be put to work."

###

"Wm Shakespeare Smithers" The WordSmith wrote in message
...
Chuck,
This sounds like a Win-Win. What do the detractors say?


wrote in message
oups.com...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kathleen Goldstein, Environmental Defense, 202-841-0295

Changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Act Considered

Senate Worked With Environmental Defense, Fishermen and Community
Leaders

(December 15, 2005 - Washington, DC) Today, the Senate considered
changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
(MSA), which governs all fishery management activities within the
federal 200-mile limit through eight Regional Fishery Management
Councils. The bill contains several important conservation reforms,
including limited access privilege programs (LAPPs), key management
tools that can make our fisheries more sustainable and profitable.
Although the original legislation introduced last month contained
provisions that hampered the LAPP process and limited their
effectiveness, Environmental Defense successfully joined with fishermen
and community leaders to amend these provisions, and new language was
included in the bill today.

"The Commerce Committee's action takes the country a step closer to a
new era for ocean stewardship in which conservation can make good
business sense for fishermen," said Environmental Defense Oceans
Program Director David Festa. "This will lead to economically viable
fishing communities, better recreational opportunities and supplies of
fresh seafood. Environmental Defense commends the Senate for working
actively with fishermen and the conservation community to craft a
workable solution."

LAPPs - catch shares - have proven to be environmentally and
economically effective in New Zealand, British Columbia and Alaska.
Under this system, fishermen are allocated shares of the annual catch,
which they can buy and sell with other fishermen. Unlike government
mandates limiting fishermen's flexibility, catch shares allow fishermen
to work year-round when market and weather conditions are most
advantageous. Catch shares help fishermen cut costs, improve the
quality of their fish, maximize dockside prices and prevent the waste
of millions of fish each year that must be discarded. Just as shares
of a company become more valuable if the company is well-managed,
fishermen's shares gain value when fish populations increase through a
well managed fishery. The fishermen now have a financial interest in
conservation measures that protect the ocean.

At the same time, the bill includes important design features that
affect whether a system of catch shares will be fair, equitable and
promote good stewardship of our nation's fisheries. These features
include methods for determining who gets initial allocations of catch
shares, how shares can be traded and the nature of conservation and
other safeguards.

"The recent U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy recommended catch shares as
a key management tool. And, in September, the Administration
explicitly called for doubling the existing number of these programs,"
said Environmental Defense Oceans Program Deputy Director Johanna
Thomas. "Clearly there is broad political support for these programs."

There is stakeholder support as well. Environmental Defense is working
with several fishing groups in New England to support their efforts to
develop fishing cooperatives, working in California to promote working
waterfronts and in the Pacific to develop a quota system for
groundfish. We are also working closely with fishermen, government
officials and other partners in the Gulf of Mexico to design fishing
quota systems for red snapper and reef fish, shrimp and other key
fisheries. Gulf snapper fisherman Captain Donald Waters acknowledges
that "we need quota programs to save the fish and our livelihoods,
which are jeopardized by overfishing caused by out-of-date
regulations." Recent hurricanes have only highlighted the need for
better fisheries management to improve the Gulf's struggling fisheries.

Fishermen in these fisheries strongly support catch share programs, but
in its original form, the Senate bill placed unnecessary obstacles to
establishing these programs by creating onerous, bureaucratic hurdles.
The earlier bill called for a 50% vote by permit holders to discuss
enacting a catch share program, and an additional 2/3 majority vote of
permit holders in New England and the Gulf of Mexico before finalizing
a plan.

Environmental Defense quickly coordinated a strong response by
community leaders and fishermen to reach an agreement with the Senate
Commerce Committee on how to move forward with these innovative tools.
The committee passed an amended bill today that allows for flexibility
in starting catch share programs, allowing catch share programs to be
launched through the council process or by a majority petition by the
fishermen in the fishery. For New England and Gulf fisheries, the
final referendum will apply only to individual fishing quota programs
and still require a super majority vote.

With the approval of the Senate bill by the Commerce Committee, the
bill will head to the Senate floor next year. The House has yet to
offer a bill.

"Catch shares are one of the only management tools that benefit both
fish and fishermen. They expand the economic benefits of the
fisheries, preserve maritime heritage and protect the environment,"
said Environmental Defense Ocean Policy Specialist Amanda Leland.
"When the Senate votes on this early next year, it is an opportunity
for Congress to do the right thing by making sure these key management
tools can be put to work."

###




Just like tobacco allotments. The biggest money maker used to be a florist
in NY. He had lots of allotments and rented the rights. So the families
that are now fishing, get an income in perpetutity. And where are the
recreational fisherman's rights? Here in California, the sporties are
prohibited from fishing for ground fish (rock cod) 6 months a year. At the
same time that commercials can fish And where is the good fisheries
management part? Just like the herring fishery in San Francisco Bay. Has
been declining the last few years, so instead of realising that overfishing,
and the related impact on all the fisheries that depend on baitfish to feed
the the fish, the DF&G decreased net opening size, so they can catch more of
the smaller fish.

Bill,
I knew there had to be a catch.


"Bill McKee" wrote in message
ink.net...

"Wm Shakespeare Smithers" The WordSmith wrote in message
...
Chuck,
This sounds like a Win-Win. What do the detractors say?


wrote in message
oups.com...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kathleen Goldstein, Environmental Defense, 202-841-0295

Changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Act Considered

Senate Worked With Environmental Defense, Fishermen and Community
Leaders

(December 15, 2005 - Washington, DC) Today, the Senate considered
changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
(MSA), which governs all fishery management activities within the
federal 200-mile limit through eight Regional Fishery Management
Councils. The bill contains several important conservation reforms,
including limited access privilege programs (LAPPs), key management
tools that can make our fisheries more sustainable and profitable.
Although the original legislation introduced last month contained
provisions that hampered the LAPP process and limited their
effectiveness, Environmental Defense successfully joined with fishermen
and community leaders to amend these provisions, and new language was
included in the bill today.

"The Commerce Committee's action takes the country a step closer to a
new era for ocean stewardship in which conservation can make good
business sense for fishermen," said Environmental Defense Oceans
Program Director David Festa. "This will lead to economically viable
fishing communities, better recreational opportunities and supplies of
fresh seafood. Environmental Defense commends the Senate for working
actively with fishermen and the conservation community to craft a
workable solution."

LAPPs - catch shares - have proven to be environmentally and
economically effective in New Zealand, British Columbia and Alaska.
Under this system, fishermen are allocated shares of the annual catch,
which they can buy and sell with other fishermen. Unlike government
mandates limiting fishermen's flexibility, catch shares allow fishermen
to work year-round when market and weather conditions are most
advantageous. Catch shares help fishermen cut costs, improve the
quality of their fish, maximize dockside prices and prevent the waste
of millions of fish each year that must be discarded. Just as shares
of a company become more valuable if the company is well-managed,
fishermen's shares gain value when fish populations increase through a
well managed fishery. The fishermen now have a financial interest in
conservation measures that protect the ocean.

At the same time, the bill includes important design features that
affect whether a system of catch shares will be fair, equitable and
promote good stewardship of our nation's fisheries. These features
include methods for determining who gets initial allocations of catch
shares, how shares can be traded and the nature of conservation and
other safeguards.

"The recent U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy recommended catch shares as
a key management tool. And, in September, the Administration
explicitly called for doubling the existing number of these programs,"
said Environmental Defense Oceans Program Deputy Director Johanna
Thomas. "Clearly there is broad political support for these programs."

There is stakeholder support as well. Environmental Defense is working
with several fishing groups in New England to support their efforts to
develop fishing cooperatives, working in California to promote working
waterfronts and in the Pacific to develop a quota system for
groundfish. We are also working closely with fishermen, government
officials and other partners in the Gulf of Mexico to design fishing
quota systems for red snapper and reef fish, shrimp and other key
fisheries. Gulf snapper fisherman Captain Donald Waters acknowledges
that "we need quota programs to save the fish and our livelihoods,
which are jeopardized by overfishing caused by out-of-date
regulations." Recent hurricanes have only highlighted the need for
better fisheries management to improve the Gulf's struggling fisheries.

Fishermen in these fisheries strongly support catch share programs, but
in its original form, the Senate bill placed unnecessary obstacles to
establishing these programs by creating onerous, bureaucratic hurdles.
The earlier bill called for a 50% vote by permit holders to discuss
enacting a catch share program, and an additional 2/3 majority vote of
permit holders in New England and the Gulf of Mexico before finalizing
a plan.

Environmental Defense quickly coordinated a strong response by
community leaders and fishermen to reach an agreement with the Senate
Commerce Committee on how to move forward with these innovative tools.
The committee passed an amended bill today that allows for flexibility
in starting catch share programs, allowing catch share programs to be
launched through the council process or by a majority petition by the
fishermen in the fishery. For New England and Gulf fisheries, the
final referendum will apply only to individual fishing quota programs
and still require a super majority vote.

With the approval of the Senate bill by the Commerce Committee, the
bill will head to the Senate floor next year. The House has yet to
offer a bill.

"Catch shares are one of the only management tools that benefit both
fish and fishermen. They expand the economic benefits of the
fisheries, preserve maritime heritage and protect the environment,"
said Environmental Defense Ocean Policy Specialist Amanda Leland.
"When the Senate votes on this early next year, it is an opportunity
for Congress to do the right thing by making sure these key management
tools can be put to work."

###




Just like tobacco allotments. The biggest money maker used to be a
florist in NY. He had lots of allotments and rented the rights. So the
families that are now fishing, get an income in perpetutity. And where
are the recreational fisherman's rights? Here in California, the sporties
are prohibited from fishing for ground fish (rock cod) 6 months a year.
At the same time that commercials can fish And where is the good
fisheries management part? Just like the herring fishery in San Francisco
Bay. Has been declining the last few years, so instead of realising that
overfishing, and the related impact on all the fisheries that depend on
baitfish to feed the the fish, the DF&G decreased net opening size, so
they can catch more of the smaller fish.

Bill McKee wrote:
"Wm Shakespeare Smithers" The WordSmith wrote in message
...
Chuck,
This sounds like a Win-Win. What do the detractors say?


wrote in message
oups.com...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kathleen Goldstein, Environmental Defense, 202-841-0295

Changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Act Considered

Senate Worked With Environmental Defense, Fishermen and Community
Leaders

(December 15, 2005 - Washington, DC) Today, the Senate considered
changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
(MSA), which governs all fishery management activities within the
federal 200-mile limit through eight Regional Fishery Management
Councils. The bill contains several important conservation reforms,
including limited access privilege programs (LAPPs), key management
tools that can make our fisheries more sustainable and profitable.
Although the original legislation introduced last month contained
provisions that hampered the LAPP process and limited their
effectiveness, Environmental Defense successfully joined with fishermen
and community leaders to amend these provisions, and new language was
included in the bill today.

"The Commerce Committee's action takes the country a step closer to a
new era for ocean stewardship in which conservation can make good
business sense for fishermen," said Environmental Defense Oceans
Program Director David Festa. "This will lead to economically viable
fishing communities, better recreational opportunities and supplies of
fresh seafood. Environmental Defense commends the Senate for working
actively with fishermen and the conservation community to craft a
workable solution."

LAPPs - catch shares - have proven to be environmentally and
economically effective in New Zealand, British Columbia and Alaska.
Under this system, fishermen are allocated shares of the annual catch,
which they can buy and sell with other fishermen. Unlike government
mandates limiting fishermen's flexibility, catch shares allow fishermen
to work year-round when market and weather conditions are most
advantageous. Catch shares help fishermen cut costs, improve the
quality of their fish, maximize dockside prices and prevent the waste
of millions of fish each year that must be discarded. Just as shares
of a company become more valuable if the company is well-managed,
fishermen's shares gain value when fish populations increase through a
well managed fishery. The fishermen now have a financial interest in
conservation measures that protect the ocean.

At the same time, the bill includes important design features that
affect whether a system of catch shares will be fair, equitable and
promote good stewardship of our nation's fisheries. These features
include methods for determining who gets initial allocations of catch
shares, how shares can be traded and the nature of conservation and
other safeguards.

"The recent U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy recommended catch shares as
a key management tool. And, in September, the Administration
explicitly called for doubling the existing number of these programs,"
said Environmental Defense Oceans Program Deputy Director Johanna
Thomas. "Clearly there is broad political support for these programs."

There is stakeholder support as well. Environmental Defense is working
with several fishing groups in New England to support their efforts to
develop fishing cooperatives, working in California to promote working
waterfronts and in the Pacific to develop a quota system for
groundfish. We are also working closely with fishermen, government
officials and other partners in the Gulf of Mexico to design fishing
quota systems for red snapper and reef fish, shrimp and other key
fisheries. Gulf snapper fisherman Captain Donald Waters acknowledges
that "we need quota programs to save the fish and our livelihoods,
which are jeopardized by overfishing caused by out-of-date
regulations." Recent hurricanes have only highlighted the need for
better fisheries management to improve the Gulf's struggling fisheries.

Fishermen in these fisheries strongly support catch share programs, but
in its original form, the Senate bill placed unnecessary obstacles to
establishing these programs by creating onerous, bureaucratic hurdles.
The earlier bill called for a 50% vote by permit holders to discuss
enacting a catch share program, and an additional 2/3 majority vote of
permit holders in New England and the Gulf of Mexico before finalizing
a plan.

Environmental Defense quickly coordinated a strong response by
community leaders and fishermen to reach an agreement with the Senate
Commerce Committee on how to move forward with these innovative tools.
The committee passed an amended bill today that allows for flexibility
in starting catch share programs, allowing catch share programs to be
launched through the council process or by a majority petition by the
fishermen in the fishery. For New England and Gulf fisheries, the
final referendum will apply only to individual fishing quota programs
and still require a super majority vote.

With the approval of the Senate bill by the Commerce Committee, the
bill will head to the Senate floor next year. The House has yet to
offer a bill.

"Catch shares are one of the only management tools that benefit both
fish and fishermen. They expand the economic benefits of the
fisheries, preserve maritime heritage and protect the environment,"
said Environmental Defense Ocean Policy Specialist Amanda Leland.
"When the Senate votes on this early next year, it is an opportunity
for Congress to do the right thing by making sure these key management
tools can be put to work."

###




Just like tobacco allotments. The biggest money maker used to be a florist
in NY. He had lots of allotments and rented the rights. So the families
that are now fishing, get an income in perpetutity. And where are the
recreational fisherman's rights? Here in California, the sporties are
prohibited from fishing for ground fish (rock cod) 6 months a year. At the
same time that commercials can fish And where is the good fisheries
management part? Just like the herring fishery in San Francisco Bay. Has
been declining the last few years, so instead of realising that overfishing,
and the related impact on all the fisheries that depend on baitfish to feed
the the fish, the DF&G decreased net opening size, so they can catch more of
the smaller fish.


Unfortunately, the resource has declined in most areas to a point where
the entire industry will collapse if we remain with the status quo
where anybody who can show up with some sort of boat and who will pay
for a commercial license can compete for a share of the fish. We see
goofy situations like 1 and 2 day annual "seasons", and it doesn't
matter if it's blowing 75 knots on those one or two days, everybody is
forced to fish without regard to conditions. You wind up with almost
nobody making a full time living, so it's strictly amateur night with a
bunch of roofers, accountants, auto mechanics, and short order cooks
out fishing with gear that's pretty questionable on a boat that isn't
used often enough to justify proper maintenance. It can be good pocket
money, and a lot of guys take a week or so off work to pick up an extra
maybe $5-20k during the year. There are undoubtedly cases where
destructive methods of fishing (such as wide-swath bottom trawling) are
used instead of more environmentally friendly methods because the "race
is on" and the only consideration is hauling in as many fish as one can
in a 24-48 hour season.

We can't rely on the "free market" approach to regulate fishing,
because by the time the market begins weeding out the oversupply of
commercial fishermen the resource is depleted. Nobody is
"manufacturing" fish. This is, admittedly, something of a socialist
system- but the management of publicly held natural resources happens
to be a specific area where socialism works reasonably well. (There are
other areas where it does not). By apportioning the resource among
current licensees, there is still something of a free market force at
work- those who want to catch a greater number of fish are free to
purchase the right to do so from licensees who choose not to fish.

If we can manage the resouce for future abundance, rather than simply
for the maximum short term profit, stocks may grow to the point where
additional commercial licenses could be granted.

The sportfishing thing is a tough call. Per fish caught, there is a lot
higher economic benefit from sport fishing than there is from
commercial fishing. (How many commercial fishermen would spend
$1,000-$5,000 per fish, as some recreational fishermen manage to do?).
However, the sport fishing fleet is ridiculously inefficient......(that
can be good when dealing with spawning stocks where escapement is
important)....and from the perspective of maximizing food yield per ton
of fish caught the commercial fishermen should get priority.

If I were the fish Czar, I'd get the best available estimates of the
stocks available, subtract the number needed to escape capture in order
to sustain or increase the species, and apportion the rest between
sport fishermen and commercial fishermen- maybe 20% sport and 80%
commercial. As Czar, I'd let anybody who could show up in a boat and
who had a license participate in the sport fishery (the season would
end when the predetermined number of fish had been caught); but I would
lean toward putting a freeze on the number of commercial licenses in
circulation and apportioning the resource so that people weren't forced
to fish wastefully or in unsafe conditions.

wrote in message
ups.com...

Bill McKee wrote:
"Wm Shakespeare Smithers" The WordSmith wrote in message
...
Chuck,
This sounds like a Win-Win. What do the detractors say?


wrote in message
oups.com...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kathleen Goldstein, Environmental Defense, 202-841-0295

Changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Act Considered

Senate Worked With Environmental Defense, Fishermen and Community
Leaders

(December 15, 2005 - Washington, DC) Today, the Senate considered
changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Act
(MSA), which governs all fishery management activities within the
federal 200-mile limit through eight Regional Fishery Management
Councils. The bill contains several important conservation reforms,
including limited access privilege programs (LAPPs), key management
tools that can make our fisheries more sustainable and profitable.
Although the original legislation introduced last month contained
provisions that hampered the LAPP process and limited their
effectiveness, Environmental Defense successfully joined with
fishermen
and community leaders to amend these provisions, and new language was
included in the bill today.

"The Commerce Committee's action takes the country a step closer to a
new era for ocean stewardship in which conservation can make good
business sense for fishermen," said Environmental Defense Oceans
Program Director David Festa. "This will lead to economically viable
fishing communities, better recreational opportunities and supplies of
fresh seafood. Environmental Defense commends the Senate for working
actively with fishermen and the conservation community to craft a
workable solution."

LAPPs - catch shares - have proven to be environmentally and
economically effective in New Zealand, British Columbia and Alaska.
Under this system, fishermen are allocated shares of the annual catch,
which they can buy and sell with other fishermen. Unlike government
mandates limiting fishermen's flexibility, catch shares allow
fishermen
to work year-round when market and weather conditions are most
advantageous. Catch shares help fishermen cut costs, improve the
quality of their fish, maximize dockside prices and prevent the waste
of millions of fish each year that must be discarded. Just as shares
of a company become more valuable if the company is well-managed,
fishermen's shares gain value when fish populations increase through a
well managed fishery. The fishermen now have a financial interest in
conservation measures that protect the ocean.

At the same time, the bill includes important design features that
affect whether a system of catch shares will be fair, equitable and
promote good stewardship of our nation's fisheries. These features
include methods for determining who gets initial allocations of catch
shares, how shares can be traded and the nature of conservation and
other safeguards.

"The recent U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy recommended catch shares
as
a key management tool. And, in September, the Administration
explicitly called for doubling the existing number of these programs,"
said Environmental Defense Oceans Program Deputy Director Johanna
Thomas. "Clearly there is broad political support for these
programs."

There is stakeholder support as well. Environmental Defense is
working
with several fishing groups in New England to support their efforts to
develop fishing cooperatives, working in California to promote working
waterfronts and in the Pacific to develop a quota system for
groundfish. We are also working closely with fishermen, government
officials and other partners in the Gulf of Mexico to design fishing
quota systems for red snapper and reef fish, shrimp and other key
fisheries. Gulf snapper fisherman Captain Donald Waters acknowledges
that "we need quota programs to save the fish and our livelihoods,
which are jeopardized by overfishing caused by out-of-date
regulations." Recent hurricanes have only highlighted the need for
better fisheries management to improve the Gulf's struggling
fisheries.

Fishermen in these fisheries strongly support catch share programs,
but
in its original form, the Senate bill placed unnecessary obstacles to
establishing these programs by creating onerous, bureaucratic hurdles.
The earlier bill called for a 50% vote by permit holders to discuss
enacting a catch share program, and an additional 2/3 majority vote of
permit holders in New England and the Gulf of Mexico before finalizing
a plan.

Environmental Defense quickly coordinated a strong response by
community leaders and fishermen to reach an agreement with the Senate
Commerce Committee on how to move forward with these innovative tools.
The committee passed an amended bill today that allows for flexibility
in starting catch share programs, allowing catch share programs to be
launched through the council process or by a majority petition by the
fishermen in the fishery. For New England and Gulf fisheries, the
final referendum will apply only to individual fishing quota programs
and still require a super majority vote.

With the approval of the Senate bill by the Commerce Committee, the
bill will head to the Senate floor next year. The House has yet to
offer a bill.

"Catch shares are one of the only management tools that benefit both
fish and fishermen. They expand the economic benefits of the
fisheries, preserve maritime heritage and protect the environment,"
said Environmental Defense Ocean Policy Specialist Amanda Leland.
"When the Senate votes on this early next year, it is an opportunity
for Congress to do the right thing by making sure these key management
tools can be put to work."

###




Just like tobacco allotments. The biggest money maker used to be a
florist
in NY. He had lots of allotments and rented the rights. So the families
that are now fishing, get an income in perpetutity. And where are the
recreational fisherman's rights? Here in California, the sporties are
prohibited from fishing for ground fish (rock cod) 6 months a year. At
the
same time that commercials can fish And where is the good fisheries
management part? Just like the herring fishery in San Francisco Bay.
Has
been declining the last few years, so instead of realising that
overfishing,
and the related impact on all the fisheries that depend on baitfish to
feed
the the fish, the DF&G decreased net opening size, so they can catch more
of
the smaller fish.


Unfortunately, the resource has declined in most areas to a point where
the entire industry will collapse if we remain with the status quo
where anybody who can show up with some sort of boat and who will pay
for a commercial license can compete for a share of the fish. We see
goofy situations like 1 and 2 day annual "seasons", and it doesn't
matter if it's blowing 75 knots on those one or two days, everybody is
forced to fish without regard to conditions. You wind up with almost
nobody making a full time living, so it's strictly amateur night with a
bunch of roofers, accountants, auto mechanics, and short order cooks
out fishing with gear that's pretty questionable on a boat that isn't
used often enough to justify proper maintenance. It can be good pocket
money, and a lot of guys take a week or so off work to pick up an extra
maybe $5-20k during the year. There are undoubtedly cases where
destructive methods of fishing (such as wide-swath bottom trawling) are
used instead of more environmentally friendly methods because the "race
is on" and the only consideration is hauling in as many fish as one can
in a 24-48 hour season.

We can't rely on the "free market" approach to regulate fishing,
because by the time the market begins weeding out the oversupply of
commercial fishermen the resource is depleted. Nobody is
"manufacturing" fish. This is, admittedly, something of a socialist
system- but the management of publicly held natural resources happens
to be a specific area where socialism works reasonably well. (There are
other areas where it does not). By apportioning the resource among
current licensees, there is still something of a free market force at
work- those who want to catch a greater number of fish are free to
purchase the right to do so from licensees who choose not to fish.

If we can manage the resouce for future abundance, rather than simply
for the maximum short term profit, stocks may grow to the point where
additional commercial licenses could be granted.

The sportfishing thing is a tough call. Per fish caught, there is a lot
higher economic benefit from sport fishing than there is from
commercial fishing. (How many commercial fishermen would spend
$1,000-$5,000 per fish, as some recreational fishermen manage to do?).
However, the sport fishing fleet is ridiculously inefficient......(that
can be good when dealing with spawning stocks where escapement is
important)....and from the perspective of maximizing food yield per ton
of fish caught the commercial fishermen should get priority.

If I were the fish Czar, I'd get the best available estimates of the
stocks available, subtract the number needed to escape capture in order
to sustain or increase the species, and apportion the rest between
sport fishermen and commercial fishermen- maybe 20% sport and 80%
commercial. As Czar, I'd let anybody who could show up in a boat and
who had a license participate in the sport fishery (the season would
end when the predetermined number of fish had been caught); but I would
lean toward putting a freeze on the number of commercial licenses in
circulation and apportioning the resource so that people weren't forced
to fish wastefully or in unsafe conditions.


If it is a 1-5 day season, most will not go into the expense to get a boat,
and there are restrictions on new licenses. There have been buy outs of
boats and licenses already. As to allocating the resource, the "best
available science" that is required is mostly junk science. In California,
it is really junky. WA & OR have done a better job of implementing stock
assessment and how much is being caught. We sporties, in CA, were stopped
early in fishing for rockfish because the "best available science" data
collection had us catching more fish than the year before, and most of that
was during the closed season. The near shore ground fish, which is the
rockfish / rockcod fishing is a disaster. The commercials have an open
season when the sporties are closed, even though it is in the state
constitution that sport has priority. Major problem is the Asian Market /
restaurant live fish sales. They catch the smaller fish before they mature
enough to breed, and is mostly a cash business, so there are under reported
landings. Fisherman pay a landing tax on poundage. When long lines were
banned within 200 miles of the coast, the F&G told the long liners to cut
the lines in to 100' lengths and go for the live fish market. These are
called stick fisherman. A boat may have 2-300 sticks. Which is a 100'
length of line with 3 trebles on the bottom end and a piece of rebar for
weight and a PVC tube or stick on the upper end as a float. You will see a
cove with 60-80 sticks. This is like 2 party boats fishing a small cove.
Cleans it out. They need better science as to stocks and a greater
restriction on landings. And if a person is caught under reporting
landings, they are both fined big numbers and is banned from commercial
fishing for ever. A fish processor (buyer), was caught both under reporting
285,000 pounds of fish and also changing the fish type for prohibited fish.
The owner and general manager got fined about $100k between the 2. Crime
does pay. Fine should have been what ever the economic value of the fish
per pound in regards to sport fishermen. Something like $60 / pound times
the amount of pounds under reported, plus all legal costs incurred. As to
anyone getting a license, not that way now, there is limited entry. Just
can not sell you license. Presently you can sell your license and boat.
The license can only be transferred to a new boat that is smaller.

On 15 Dec 2005 20:16:17 -0800, wrote:

(How many commercial fishermen would spend
$1,000-$5,000 per fish, as some recreational fishermen manage to do?).

===============================

I wish my cost was that low. :-)

Wm Shakespeare Smithers wrote:
Bill,
I knew there had to be a catch.

Hey you cracked a funny ................... well done:-)

K




"Bill McKee" wrote in message
ink.net...

"Wm Shakespeare Smithers" The WordSmith wrote in message
...

Chuck,
This sounds like a Win-Win. What do the detractors say?


wrote in message
egroups.com...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kathleen Goldstein, Environmental Defense, 202-841-0295

Changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Act Considered

Senate Worked With Environmental Defense, Fishermen and Community
Leaders

(December 15, 2005 - Washington, DC) Today, the Senate considered
changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
(MSA), which governs all fishery management activities within the
federal 200-mile limit through eight Regional Fishery Management
Councils. The bill contains several important conservation reforms,
including limited access privilege programs (LAPPs), key management
tools that can make our fisheries more sustainable and profitable.
Although the original legislation introduced last month contained
provisions that hampered the LAPP process and limited their
effectiveness, Environmental Defense successfully joined with fishermen
and community leaders to amend these provisions, and new language was
included in the bill today.

"The Commerce Committee's action takes the country a step closer to a
new era for ocean stewardship in which conservation can make good
business sense for fishermen," said Environmental Defense Oceans
Program Director David Festa. "This will lead to economically viable
fishing communities, better recreational opportunities and supplies of
fresh seafood. Environmental Defense commends the Senate for working
actively with fishermen and the conservation community to craft a
workable solution."

LAPPs - catch shares - have proven to be environmentally and
economically effective in New Zealand, British Columbia and Alaska.
Under this system, fishermen are allocated shares of the annual catch,
which they can buy and sell with other fishermen. Unlike government
mandates limiting fishermen's flexibility, catch shares allow fishermen
to work year-round when market and weather conditions are most
advantageous. Catch shares help fishermen cut costs, improve the
quality of their fish, maximize dockside prices and prevent the waste
of millions of fish each year that must be discarded. Just as shares
of a company become more valuable if the company is well-managed,
fishermen's shares gain value when fish populations increase through a
well managed fishery. The fishermen now have a financial interest in
conservation measures that protect the ocean.

At the same time, the bill includes important design features that
affect whether a system of catch shares will be fair, equitable and
promote good stewardship of our nation's fisheries. These features
include methods for determining who gets initial allocations of catch
shares, how shares can be traded and the nature of conservation and
other safeguards.

"The recent U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy recommended catch shares as
a key management tool. And, in September, the Administration
explicitly called for doubling the existing number of these programs,"
said Environmental Defense Oceans Program Deputy Director Johanna
Thomas. "Clearly there is broad political support for these programs."

There is stakeholder support as well. Environmental Defense is working
with several fishing groups in New England to support their efforts to
develop fishing cooperatives, working in California to promote working
waterfronts and in the Pacific to develop a quota system for
groundfish. We are also working closely with fishermen, government
officials and other partners in the Gulf of Mexico to design fishing
quota systems for red snapper and reef fish, shrimp and other key
fisheries. Gulf snapper fisherman Captain Donald Waters acknowledges
that "we need quota programs to save the fish and our livelihoods,
which are jeopardized by overfishing caused by out-of-date
regulations." Recent hurricanes have only highlighted the need for
better fisheries management to improve the Gulf's struggling fisheries.

Fishermen in these fisheries strongly support catch share programs, but
in its original form, the Senate bill placed unnecessary obstacles to
establishing these programs by creating onerous, bureaucratic hurdles.
The earlier bill called for a 50% vote by permit holders to discuss
enacting a catch share program, and an additional 2/3 majority vote of
permit holders in New England and the Gulf of Mexico before finalizing
a plan.

Environmental Defense quickly coordinated a strong response by
community leaders and fishermen to reach an agreement with the Senate
Commerce Committee on how to move forward with these innovative tools.
The committee passed an amended bill today that allows for flexibility
in starting catch share programs, allowing catch share programs to be
launched through the council process or by a majority petition by the
fishermen in the fishery. For New England and Gulf fisheries, the
final referendum will apply only to individual fishing quota programs
and still require a super majority vote.

With the approval of the Senate bill by the Commerce Committee, the
bill will head to the Senate floor next year. The House has yet to
offer a bill.

"Catch shares are one of the only management tools that benefit both
fish and fishermen. They expand the economic benefits of the
fisheries, preserve maritime heritage and protect the environment,"
said Environmental Defense Ocean Policy Specialist Amanda Leland.
"When the Senate votes on this early next year, it is an opportunity
for Congress to do the right thing by making sure these key management
tools can be put to work."

###



Just like tobacco allotments. The biggest money maker used to be a
florist in NY. He had lots of allotments and rented the rights. So the
families that are now fishing, get an income in perpetutity. And where
are the recreational fisherman's rights? Here in California, the sporties
are prohibited from fishing for ground fish (rock cod) 6 months a year.
At the same time that commercials can fish And where is the good
fisheries management part? Just like the herring fishery in San Francisco
Bay. Has been declining the last few years, so instead of realising that
overfishing, and the related impact on all the fisheries that depend on
baitfish to feed the the fish, the DF&G decreased net opening size, so
they can catch more of the smaller fish.

Karen,
and I thought I was the only who appreciated the pun.


"K Smith" wrote in message
...
Wm Shakespeare Smithers wrote:
Bill,
I knew there had to be a catch.

Hey you cracked a funny ................... well done:-)

K




"Bill McKee" wrote in message
ink.net...

"Wm Shakespeare Smithers" The WordSmith wrote in message
...

Chuck,
This sounds like a Win-Win. What do the detractors say?


wrote in message
legroups.com...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kathleen Goldstein, Environmental Defense, 202-841-0295

Changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Act Considered

Senate Worked With Environmental Defense, Fishermen and Community
Leaders

(December 15, 2005 - Washington, DC) Today, the Senate considered
changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
(MSA), which governs all fishery management activities within the
federal 200-mile limit through eight Regional Fishery Management
Councils. The bill contains several important conservation reforms,
including limited access privilege programs (LAPPs), key management
tools that can make our fisheries more sustainable and profitable.
Although the original legislation introduced last month contained
provisions that hampered the LAPP process and limited their
effectiveness, Environmental Defense successfully joined with fishermen
and community leaders to amend these provisions, and new language was
included in the bill today.

"The Commerce Committee's action takes the country a step closer to a
new era for ocean stewardship in which conservation can make good
business sense for fishermen," said Environmental Defense Oceans
Program Director David Festa. "This will lead to economically viable
fishing communities, better recreational opportunities and supplies of
fresh seafood. Environmental Defense commends the Senate for working
actively with fishermen and the conservation community to craft a
workable solution."

LAPPs - catch shares - have proven to be environmentally and
economically effective in New Zealand, British Columbia and Alaska.
Under this system, fishermen are allocated shares of the annual catch,
which they can buy and sell with other fishermen. Unlike government
mandates limiting fishermen's flexibility, catch shares allow fishermen
to work year-round when market and weather conditions are most
advantageous. Catch shares help fishermen cut costs, improve the
quality of their fish, maximize dockside prices and prevent the waste
of millions of fish each year that must be discarded. Just as shares
of a company become more valuable if the company is well-managed,
fishermen's shares gain value when fish populations increase through a
well managed fishery. The fishermen now have a financial interest in
conservation measures that protect the ocean.

At the same time, the bill includes important design features that
affect whether a system of catch shares will be fair, equitable and
promote good stewardship of our nation's fisheries. These features
include methods for determining who gets initial allocations of catch
shares, how shares can be traded and the nature of conservation and
other safeguards.

"The recent U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy recommended catch shares as
a key management tool. And, in September, the Administration
explicitly called for doubling the existing number of these programs,"
said Environmental Defense Oceans Program Deputy Director Johanna
Thomas. "Clearly there is broad political support for these programs."

There is stakeholder support as well. Environmental Defense is working
with several fishing groups in New England to support their efforts to
develop fishing cooperatives, working in California to promote working
waterfronts and in the Pacific to develop a quota system for
groundfish. We are also working closely with fishermen, government
officials and other partners in the Gulf of Mexico to design fishing
quota systems for red snapper and reef fish, shrimp and other key
fisheries. Gulf snapper fisherman Captain Donald Waters acknowledges
that "we need quota programs to save the fish and our livelihoods,
which are jeopardized by overfishing caused by out-of-date
regulations." Recent hurricanes have only highlighted the need for
better fisheries management to improve the Gulf's struggling fisheries.

Fishermen in these fisheries strongly support catch share programs, but
in its original form, the Senate bill placed unnecessary obstacles to
establishing these programs by creating onerous, bureaucratic hurdles.
The earlier bill called for a 50% vote by permit holders to discuss
enacting a catch share program, and an additional 2/3 majority vote of
permit holders in New England and the Gulf of Mexico before finalizing
a plan.

Environmental Defense quickly coordinated a strong response by
community leaders and fishermen to reach an agreement with the Senate
Commerce Committee on how to move forward with these innovative tools.
The committee passed an amended bill today that allows for flexibility
in starting catch share programs, allowing catch share programs to be
launched through the council process or by a majority petition by the
fishermen in the fishery. For New England and Gulf fisheries, the
final referendum will apply only to individual fishing quota programs
and still require a super majority vote.

With the approval of the Senate bill by the Commerce Committee, the
bill will head to the Senate floor next year. The House has yet to
offer a bill.

"Catch shares are one of the only management tools that benefit both
fish and fishermen. They expand the economic benefits of the
fisheries, preserve maritime heritage and protect the environment,"
said Environmental Defense Ocean Policy Specialist Amanda Leland.
"When the Senate votes on this early next year, it is an opportunity
for Congress to do the right thing by making sure these key management
tools can be put to work."

###



Just like tobacco allotments. The biggest money maker used to be a
florist in NY. He had lots of allotments and rented the rights. So the
families that are now fishing, get an income in perpetutity. And where
are the recreational fisherman's rights? Here in California, the
sporties are prohibited from fishing for ground fish (rock cod) 6 months
a year. At the same time that commercials can fish And where is the good
fisheries management part? Just like the herring fishery in San
Francisco Bay. Has been declining the last few years, so instead of
realising that overfishing, and the related impact on all the fisheries
that depend on baitfish to feed the the fish, the DF&G decreased net
opening size, so they can catch more of the smaller fish.

Chuck,
Nobody can just go get a commercial license anymore,and its been that
way for years, Boat/License buyback programs have been around for at
least 4 or 5 years now too.
As to Halibut longlining (tub lining), I agree the feds don't give a
"Weather Day" so it can be extremely dangerous if it kicks up.

Many moons ago when the feds started restricting fishing most of the
Owner/Operators were forced out of business and the only way to recoup
any loss was to sell the license, the boat too since the license is
attached to the boat. Back then if the boat was a POS it still had value
because of the license, but, and here's the kicker, The license could
only be transfered to another boat of equal or less tonnage.

BTW, I'm surprised you would trash anyone who works as a roofer, short
order cook, etc...
Most of the guy's I know in the industry are just Commercial (or used
to be) Fishermen trying to make ends meet.
, Try a trip on an ol' Halibut Schooner.
You know what I mean UD