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How To Save Fish And Fishermen

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 27, 2008

Commercial fishermen have long been seen as the bullies of the sea, overfishing key species while resisting regulations that could make it difficult to make a living or put seafood on the country's tables.

But a promising new approach could end destructive overfishing while ensuring viable commercial harvests. If adopted widely, the "catch-share model" could prevent the predicted collapse of the world's fishing stocks over the next 40 years.

As it is, commercial fishermen race to catch as many fish as possible before the season's overall limit for everyone is met. This approach gluts the market and creates a short season because the limit is reached so quickly. It also causes some fishermen to venture out in hazardous conditions.

By contrast, the catch-share model predetermines the share that each fisherman may catch, based on previous catches. This approach provides no incentive to catch all the fish at once, since fishermen know they will get their quota, no matter how quickly others reach theirs.

Researchers from the University of California-Santa Barbara found that a "catch-share" system not only maximized profits for fishermen, it also protected marine life. Their study, published in Science, found that fisheries using traditional management methods had a collapse rate twice that of fisheries using the catch-share system.

The approach was used for red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico with great success. It resulted in higher dockside prices, less waste and a more consistent supply of fish for the market.

When used in Alaska, the halibut season, which had been lasting only two or three days, expanded to eight months.

Besides allowing for predictability, the catch-share system gives commercial fishermen an economic incentive to ensure healthy fish stocks.

"Much like when you own a house, you have an incentive to invest in it," said researcher Christopher Costello. "Essentially the catch-share becomes an asset that they value and protect ."

Alas, only about 1 percent of the world's fisheries follow the catch-share system, a number that ought to quickly grow. The United States should lead the way by adopting this best-practices approach for all its fisheries.

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