The federal government has begun a process that could lead to fine-tuning and customizing the New England groundfish catch share system, which was implemented May 1 over the objections of much of the area's commercial fishing fleet.
"Every system has evolved over time, this one won't be different," said Tom Nies, chief fisheries analyst for the New England Fishery Management Council.
The system that has now been in effect for two weeks does not limit the consolidation of catch shares in any one set of hands, and does not require that fishing-dependent communities be provided allocation to ensure their continuity in the industry.
Under the new catch share system, fishermen work in cooperatives called sectors, and their "shares" of various fish stocks can be bought, sold or traded.
Read the complete story at The Gloucester Daily Times.