June 2, 2014 — Restrictions on commercial fishing in North Carolina are well-intentioned, aimed at preventing the “fishing out” of some varieties. But have they become too burdensome for fishermen just trying to make a living?
The fishermen, a News & Observer report noted, say they are. For example, there are limits on how many pounds of fish a fisherman can bring to the dock at a time, and if fishermen hit the annual quota on fish caught, the state shuts down the season. Add to that the effects of excessive rainfall on fishing and limits on what varieties of fish can be caught at different times of the year, and the fishermen say they simply have a hard time staying in business.
They have a self-interest in making this case, but the declining number of commercial fishermen is troubling.
Read the full editorial at the Raleigh News and Observer