The nation’s fisheries chief said yestersday that a seismic shift in New England fishery management is key to preserving the venerable industry and touted an extra $18.6 million to help make the change.
"I believe that we have an unparalleled opportunity to truly demonstrate that good, stable jobs, stable fisheries and resilient ecosystems can be achieved together," said Jane Lubchenco, head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in a speech to a gathering of fishery management councils.
Fishermen are working to switch by next year to a new "catch share" system that allocates a total allowed catch to groups of fishermen, who divide it among themselves. Today’s system tries to stop overfishing by making fishermen less efficient, including by restricting the time fishermen are allowed to spend at sea.