The NOAA’s Fisheries Service announced the implementation of its catch shares on commercial grouper and tilefish catches in the Gulf of Mexico starting Jan. 1, 2010. Under this law the commercial fishermen will have a certain amount of grouper or tilefish they can catch throughout 2010, instead of observing annual quotas and trip limits that make them race to harvest fish before a closure.
However, the allocations of fish between the commercial and recreational sectors will not change. Dr. Roy Crabtree, southeast regional administrator for NOAA Fisheries Service, in a NOAA, told that catch share programs are useful strategies to improve the environmental and economic benefits of our nation’s fisheries. It is believe that the new quota will allow commercial fishermen to sell fish when a demand is high, and they’ll be able to fish in safe conditions.
The quotas will be based on data of catches from 1999-2007. Capt. Ryan Rolland, from Sarasota, did not purchase his commercial fishing boat during this time. He said that was the reason he was declined for one of the 90 permits allowed to use standard longline gear. Rolland said that since the longline gear was banned his catches have dropped by about 60 percent.
