The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is said to form a new Advisory Panel to consider the trading of catch shares and other issues related to limited access privilege programs. It is told that the Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act of 2006 encourages regional Fishery Management Councils to develop limited access privilege programs for fisheries when appropriate.
According to the council these programs allow fishermen more flexibility in terms of how and when they can fish during the year, increasing both efficiency and safety at sea. It is informed that these programs help improve resource conservation because combined catches of all quota holders are generally at or below the total allowable catch. The council opined that the new Ad Hoc Advisory Panel will consist of both a recreational component and a commercial component, and will work on limited access privilege programs for those sectors.
