Ending Overfishing
Ensure a Strong Magnuson-Stevens Act
In 2006, Ocean Champions played a significant role in reauthorizing the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (M-S Act). The M-S Act is the primary federal statute governing management of our Nation’s fisheries. It seeks to end overfishing, rebuild depleted fish populations and ensure sustainable fisheries management. The reauthorization specifically required that all 528 federally managed fish stocks have an annual catch limit and accountability measures in place by the end of 2011 in order to end overfishing once and for all. Ocean Champions believes this is a critical and achievable goal that will protect fish and fishing jobs, providing great ecological and economic benefits.
The overfishing deadlines are approaching fast, and with their threat of catch reductions or fishery closures, are causing high anxiety. While many recognize the consequences of ignoring science-based catch limits yet again, some fishing groups are using the looming threat of closure to weaken Magnuson by removing or delaying the overfishing deadlines. With the economy still fragile, Congressmen are being told not to eliminate further jobs by allowing fisheries to be closed. As you might imagine, this is a very effective threat.
Ocean Champions supports full implementation of M-S Act to enable threatened fisheries and fishing jobs to make a comeback. We recognize, however, that this must be done in a way that is sensitive to the on-the-ground realities of the commercial and recreational fishing communities. In this effort, we are helped by the Obama administration, which has indicated that it is serious about implementing the M-S Act, and is looking at innovative approaches for doing so. Specifically, NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco has championed catch shares as a tool for maximizing both conservation and economic objectives: “From Florida to Alaska, catch share programs help fishing communities provide good jobs while rebuilding and sustaining healthy fisheries and ocean ecosystems. Although this is a national policy, our emphasis is on local consideration and design of catch shares that take into consideration commercial and recreational fishing interests.”
Ocean Champions supports full implementation of M-S Act to enable threatened fisheries and fishing jobs to make a comeback. We recognize, however, that this must be done in a way that is consciencious of the on-the-ground realities of the commercial and recreational fishing communities. In this effort, we are helped by the Obama administration, which has indicated that it is serious about implementing the M-S Act, and is looking at innovative approaches for doing so. Specifically, NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco has championed catch shares as a tool for maximizing both conservation and economic objectives: “From Florida to Alaska, catch share programs help fishing communities provide good jobs while rebuilding and sustaining healthy fisheries and ocean ecosystems. Although this is a national policy, our emphasis is on local consideration and design of catch shares that take into consideration commercial and recreational fishing interests.”
Support the Use of Catch Shares for Fisheries Management
It can be argued that traditional fisheries management (limiting days at sea) has failed to achieve conservation objectives or to help fishermen. Rather than continue the mistakes of the past, we believe alternatives should be considered. While very innovative, catch shares are not a new idea. In fact, they have been implemented in hundreds of fisheries around the world both large and small. Today there are over a dozen U.S. catch shares programs in place with many more under development (where fishermen and fishery managers have voted to adopt them). Catch shares may not be ideal for all fisheries, but where they make sense, they represent locally-designed market-based solutions that have been proven to prevent or reverse overfishing and enhance fishery economics.
We believe catch shares are a powerful tool in the effort to implement the M-S Act that greatly improve our chances at ending overfishing. The reasons are clear:
- They have a history of success in improving both fish stocks and fishing economics.
- Fishermen want them – sometimes because catch shares may be a way to keep fisheries open that would otherwise be closed.
- Success in Washington, D.C. requires political support. The Obama administration supports catch shares, and is willing to invest the money necessary to implement them correctly, and there is support on Capitol Hill from a number of key Members.
- So many of the elements of fishery management plans that are often absent – science-based catch limits, effective monitoring, data collection, and enforcement - are fundamental elements of a catch share programs.
Ocean Champions wants to end overfishing, reduce bycatch, and protect critical fish habitat. We feel strongly that catch shares programs increase the likelihood of success in these areas, while also offering many benefits to fishermen. Thus, we are working to support the Obama Administration and Dr. Lubchenco in her campaign to improve fisheries management and implement practical solutions.
The End of the Line
The End of the Line is a powerful film about one of the world's most disturbing problems - overfishing.