It is fact that fishing business is lucrative provided good decision and right fisheries policy. It would definitely add new zing to the economy of the country be it sport or commercial. But fishery politics is getting on high with each passing year. Now the fishery politics is all about greed for more money.
And thus it divided the industry into two, one the follower of NPFMC policy and other the supporter of BOF. The meetings of these bodies are two different things all together. They least bother about the voice of new participant who feels like a guppy in a pool full of piranhas, sharks and killer whales. In these meetings public comment of any private citizen or fisherman least matter. But now there is change of opinions among these bodies. They make up to include the input of public also.
According to veteran council-goers lobbyists that are paid hundreds of thousands of dollars make deals in hotel rooms, on the phone, or in hallways during meetings. There is no open, honest process to cut the deal. In BOF there is little bit of openness where one submits proposal then the state asks for written public comments. The regional advisory board discusses the proposal and delivers a recommendation to the BOF. After that the BOF take verbal public comment by going to the region.
Then the BOF takes up the proposal and in front of the audience, there is deliberation, removal or addition of language and then a vote. Most of the fishermen agree with the BOF process but they may not agree with the decision of BOF. Chairman Eric Olsen of the NPFMC is doing a great job, but there are people in the body that makes process unhealthy.
