Recent restrictions on commercial and recreational salmon fishing have set coastal communities reeling at the potential economic impact. Coastal Jobs Coalition, an organization dedicated to sustainable fisheries and communities, points out that the fishery management along the west coast provides reason for communities to hope for better salmon stories in the future.
According to the organization the Conservative management programmes have resulted in the replenishment of a variety of depleted fish stocks, many ahead of schedule, and have done so with support from fishermen and processors, whose livelihood depends on a reliable supply. Rod Moore, Executive Director of West Coast Seafood Processors Association, told that natural cycles play a major role in both depletion and recovery of species but active and thoughtful management can make a significant impact on fish stocks to ensure thriving populations.
The number of the Allowable Biological Catch of the four major west coast groundfish species has gone high as 246 percent to 45,570 metric tons after 10 years due to efficient management efforts. It is proven that groundfish thriving under conservative management. West coast fisheries are managed sustainably under federal and, in some cases, state law.
It is said that Pacific Whiting was rebuilt in three years, before a rebuilding schedule was developed Lingcod was rebuilt in seven years, three years ahead of schedule, Widow rockfish is expected to be rebuilt by next year, 14 years ahead of schedule, Canary rockfish is expected to be rebuilt 36 years ahead of schedule. There is no denying fact that actions to rebuild depleted species have included significantly reducing harvest levels, requiring electronic monitoring of fishing vessels, closing areas based on species’ habitat characteristics, requiring more selective fishing gear, creating an observer program, and changing management cycles to allow more stock assessments and resource surveys.
