The Pacific Coast Groundfish Trawl Catch Share program is just days away from implementation – it was originally slated to start Jan. 1.
While the new program may get a late start – the National Marine Fisheries Service announced Monday it would push the pause button for at least a few days to pull together last minute details – there’s no stopping its eventual implementation.
Oregon’s 80 trawl permit holders have already filled out mandatory applications, and are crunching numbers to see how having an individual share of the fishery – that they can catch whenever they choose – will change how their business plans pencil out.
The catch shares idea has been so highly regarded that it’s recently become a management tool of choice in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration policy book.
“Catch share programs have proven to be powerful tools to transform fisheries, making them prosperous, stable and sustainable parts of our nation’s strategy for healthy and resilient ocean ecosystems,” said Jane Lubchenco, undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator, in November.
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