Matt Ruby is a commercial fisherman from Little River. For 15 years he has supported his family through the snapper grouper fishery. Concerned with the new fishing limits, Ruby and other fishermen have been meeting in order to help preserve their occupations. A member of the South Atlantic Fishermen’s Association, Ruby is different in that he expresses a different opinion than many of his fellows by supporting catch shares. Vehemently protested by the majority of local fishermen with the slogan “Hell No Catch Shares”, the management program based on catch shares is a relatively simple concept: each year, the number of fish to be caught is determined by the National Marine Fisheries Service and regional council. Once the number is determined fishermen may purchase a catch share, entitling them to a percentage of the fish. Ruby feels that it may be worth considering, at least for commercial fishermen.
“At this point, we do not need to take any fishery management option off the table, including catch shares, to ensure a future for the commercial snapper grouper fishery,” stated Ruby. He agrees with his peers on many points, especially that fishermen should have substantial input in the design of management systems.
“I was glad to see in the paper last week that fishermen are organizing to change some of the fishing rules that are killing our livelihoods. However I’m concerned about the untrue information being spread about catch shares,” said Ruby, contending with the association’s stance.
“Catch shares fishermen can restrict outside corporations and non-profits from holding quota and make sure that someone doesn’t buy up quota and not use it,” he said. A major concern was that environmental groups or large corporations would purchase the catch shares so that no one could fish.
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