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Broken Promises of Fishery Management
by John T. Koegler
(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association April 2005 Newsletter)
Anglers always look forward to better fishing due to fishery management. They strongly support conservation. Anglers had expected a fair shake from fish regulations when the stock recovered and this did not happen.
However, many of the current management regulations are heavily biased against recreational fishing. If the current regulations were reviewed by a court of law, it is widely believed that many provisions would be declared illegal. The Magnuson-Stevens fishery Conservation and Management act requires many clearly specified actions from managers. Fishery Management guidelines are spelled out in the 10 National Standards for Fishery Conservation and Management. The four most important to anglers are:
National Standard #1
Conservation and management measures shall prevent overfishing while achieving, on a continuing basis, the optimum yield from each fishery for the United States fishing industry.
The act further defines “optimum” as;
The term “optimum” with respect to the yield from a fishery means the amount of fish which---
A- will provide the greatest overall benefit to the Nation particularly with respect to food production and recreational opportunities, and taking into account the protection of the marine ecosystem.
B-is prescribed as such on the basis of the maximum sustainable yield from the fishery, as reduced by any relevant economic, social or ecological factor, and
C- In the case of an overfished fishery, provides for regulating to a level consistent with producing the maximum sustainable yield from such fishery.
Does anyone believe the current management regulations comply with this standard?
Does not anglers’ huge spending represent the greatest overall benefit to the nation?
National Standard # 4
In many anglers opinion this is the most violated standard. It states:
If it becomes necessary to allocate or assign fishing privileges among various United States fishermen, such allocation shall be,
A- fair and equitable to all such fishermen
B- reasonably calculated to promote conservation,
C- Carried out in such manner that no particular individual, corporation, or other entity acquires an excessive share of such privileges.
National Standard # 5
Conservation and management measures shall, where practicable, consider efficiency in the utilization of fishery resources: except that no such measure shall have economic allocation as its sole purpose.
National Standard #8
Conservation and management measures shall, consistent with the conservation requirements of this Act (including the prevention of overfishing and rebuilding of over fished stocks) take into account the importance of fishery resources to fishing communities in order to:
A- provide for the sustained participation of such communities, and
B- to the extent practicable, minimize adverse economic impacts of such communities.
Is it possible to fix the current fishery management system? Anglers must think real hard about continued support for a system that is so commercially biased. Many anglers believe the current system always works to increase the benefits to the commercial industry by regulating anglers out of all recreational fisheries.
NMFS presentation at the Miami boat show
At the Recent Miami National Boat show the NMFS made a (surprise) announcement.
It now will begin formulating a Recreational Fisheries Strategic Plan.
The Fisheries service called the new plan a “Renewed commitment to recreational fisheries.”
A report about this meeting by Byron Stout and published by New-press.com On March 2, 2005 stated in part: “You would think the fisheries service would have noticed before that commercial fishing isn’t the only game in town. The fact is, even counting the humongous catches from Alaska that represent about half of US commercial landings, recreational fishing now is a lot more economically important.
The spread between the economic impacts of commercial and recreational fishing is about 20 percent and growing nationwide. And nowhere in the country is the gap greater than in Florida where commercial fishing has shrunk to about $215 million in economic impact, and recreational fishing has expanded to $4.6 billion. That’s 21 times bigger. NJ 1997 commercial SEAFOOD landings $120,000,000. FISH ONLY landings $27,000,000. Anglers spending $800,000,000 to $1,000,000,000 depending on the survey. $27 commercial fish divided into $800= 30 times+ more economically valuable.
Question: When/Where is economics considered in fishery management?
See National standards, #1, #4, #5, and #8 above.)
Suddenly, we have the commerce department’s attention. So, they have given us a big announcement, and a magnificent full-color-on glossy-paper brochure, “A Vision for Marine Recreational Fishermen.”
Therein, we are told, the Fisheries Service is going to come up with a plan based on lots of studies that come out of lots and lots of meetings.
Please allow me to jump-start the process.
1- What drives the recreational fishing industry is lots of fish.
The more we catch, the more we are inclined to spend doing it.
2- We don’t mind catching the same fish over and over, without ever eating it. But if there are enough fish for a given species to sustain eating some, we enjoy that. And we’re happy for a sustainable number – with the emphasis on sustaining very healthy numbers- to be caught and sold.
Strike that balance (we like balance), and your new ecosystem approach to fisheries management, and you’ll have yourself some great commerce.
Stay on the sea-saw that sees one species of fish after another being overfished.
And no amount of studies and meetings will ever make us manageable.
Besides which, you already know darn well how to stop overfishing and safeguard the habitat. You just have to switch from catering to special interest to managing for the common interest.
That all takes guts, and bleeding, and maybe a political suicide or two.
But trust me, you’ll be much better off making pretty fish rather than pretty brochures.
The above writer explained his position clearly.
What about you?
A national magazine reports: Sportfishing is big business.
A major study reports that saltwater recreational fishing supports nearly 350,000 jobs and generates $30.5 billion in economic impact to the country. Another found that the 10-year trend for fish caught recreationally is up 11 percent since 1994. Of the 10 most popular game fish, 60 percent are released alive. The top catches were spotted sea trout, Atlantic croaker, summer flounder and striped bass. Anglers took nearly 82 million saltwater trips in 2003 and over the past decade the number of anglers is up 7 percent.
NMFS director, Bill Hogarth said:
“I’m encouraged by these recreational fishing trends. The healthier and more abundant we can make the fish populations, the better the fishing experience for the American public. This translates into more jobs and more money going into coastal communities.”
Based on the four national standards above, are fishery managers following these standards, as required by law? There seems to be a major disconnect between what is being said publicly and the regulatory actions of fishery managers.
IGFA Banquet Is Set April 8th
The International Game Fish Association will host its eight annual banquet and sport fishing night in support of its Environmental and Junior Angler Programs on April 8 at Mike Doolan's Restaurant in Spring Lake Heights.
The event starts at 8 p.m. and will feature a full buffet dinner and limited open bar. This year's guest speaker is Milt Rosko, noted outdoor writer, fisherman, and author of countless fishing books. Each guest will receive free gifts donated by the IGFA, various tackle manufacturers, tackle shops and The Fisherman.
Seating is by reservation and limited to 200 attendees. Due to the popularity of this annual event, call today - there may not be any availability on the night of the event. Admission is $75, and reservations can be made by calling Pete Barrett at 732-295-8600, or mailing your check to The Fisherman, 1622 Beaver Dam Road, Point Pleasant, NJ 08742.