Maine fishermen protesting new federal rules designed to allow groundfish stocks to recover are right about one thing: It will be even harder for all of them to make a living next year.
But it’s not because the new rules are unfair or that they will favor big operators over fishing families. It’s because, even now, there are too many boats and too few fish for them to catch.
The new rules, which are scheduled to take effect on May 1, would scrap the old rationing system, which limited a boat’s days at sea, for a new one that allocates an allowable catch to a geographical area, or sector, and gives local fishermen a share. Fishermen would be given more flexibility concerning when they go out, and they will have more accountability as well. The whole sector is expected to monitor the collective catch and could be shut down if one boat exceeds its allowable catch.
The new rules would coincide with a steep reduction in the amount of fish that can be caught, leading, the protestors say, to a shakedown in the industry, where small independent fishermen will not be able to compete.