An exempted fishing permit (EEP) proposal was submitted to the Pacific Fishery Management Council to improve the environmental and economic performance of the Central Coast groundfish fishery through a community-based approach. There were fishermen, community leaders, conservation organizations and government entities behind this proposal.
National Marine Fisheries Service has recently issued the final approvals and permits. It is said that the Council voted in favor of the proposal at its November 2007 meeting. It is said that the EFP will allow the partnership to establish a local, community-based fishing association that will test the benefits of fishing six federal groundfish trawl permits with traps and hook & line.
According to the Council this project will explore how a community based fishing association can coordinate local fishing efforts, protect local access to fish and create a more economically and environmentally sustainable fishery. It will also help inform management decisions now underway and could be used in other West Coast fisheries and the groundfish industry as a whole. Morro Bay Harbor Director Rick Algert told that this will create more environmentally sustainable and economically viable ways for small fishing communities to catch groundfish.
Morro Bay Commercial Fishermen’s Organization President Jeremiah O’Brien explained that Central Coast fishing communities are important stewards of our marine resources. He added that the proposal gives the opportunity to work with conservation and government agencies on resource management decisions that affect the marine environments off our own shores.
Port San Luis Commercial Fishermen’s Association President Bill Ward told that the proposal allows the local fishing community and conservation groups to work together to design innovative ways to harvest groundfish that will help preserve the unique fishing heritage and rich marine resources of the California Central Coast.
