The Center for American Progress has released an in-depth analysis of New England Groundfish management entitled, "The Future of America's First Fishery: Improving Management of the New England Groundfishery".
The report observes that the relationships among fishery regulators, scientists, industry members, and environmental groups are more contentious in New England than in any other region of the country. And it argues that every one of the groups involved has played a role in the deterioration of these relationships, which in turn has led to the lack of trust among stakeholders in the region. As a result, today "the human relationships now labor in a toxic soup that has poisoned dialogue, expunged trust, and made rational progress all but impossible to achieve."
The report argues that the "fundamental source of future success in the groundfishery must start with improved relationships among stakeholder groups. No management structure stands a chance without some degree of buy-in and cooperation of all participants."
The report further observes that the "sector management system has its limitations, and improvements are undoubtedly necessary. Yet there is near-universal distaste for a return to the old system of management-a system where fishing was controlled by limiting the number of days per year fishermen were allowed to fish-and no other viable alternative has emerged, even from those who suggest sector management will result in hyperconsolidation of the fishery into a few hands, financially supported either by corporate entities or environmental groups and foundations."
The report recommends that:
* All fishery stakeholders must collaborate to improve fishery data collection and analysis to provide more accurate assessments of fish populations and reduce uncertainty that may artificially reduce total allowable catches.
* New personnel hired to fill leadership positions within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-the government agency with jurisdiction over our nation's fisheries-in the northeast region must prioritize changing the perception of the agency among fishermen and other stakeholders.
* Every stakeholder group, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, scientists, fishermen, politicians, and environmental nongovernmental organizations, must take steps to improve communication and make a greater effort to understand the perspective of those who disagree with them.
* The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Northeast Fisheries Science Center must work with fishermen and external organizations to reduce the cost of fishery monitoring, including by developing methods to implement electronic monitoring systems as a replacement or supplement for human fishery observers.
* The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the New England fishery management council must take steps to analyze the validity of consolidation concerns in the sector management system and address them as necessary, including through exploration and development of permit banks to ensure a geographically diverse group of fishermen retain access to the fishery
The report was written by Michael Conathan, Director of Ocean Policy at the Center. Before joining American Progress, Mike Conathan spent five years on the staff of Senator Olympia Snowe at the Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard. While on the Hill, he oversaw the enactment of the the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 and the International Fisheries Agreement Clarification Act. A native of Massachusetts, he holds a master's degree in marine affairs from the University of Rhode Island in 2005 and a bachelor of arts in English literature from Georgetown University.