It is obvious that West Coast fishermen are facing a sea change in their business. These fishermen catch bottomfish as they haul up black cod, snapper, Dover sole and other delicacies for your table. Federal fishery managers are replacing traditional fishing seasons with individual catch quotas. The strict quotas are expected to shrink the trawl fishing fleet significantly. That means bottom draggers may leave the business and switch to other fisheries, increasing competition for crab and shrimp for example.
The future is gloomy for commercial fishermen even in good season. Commercial fisherman, Gary Ripka said that it’s all I’ve ever done, either fished here or in Alaska. In government-speak, that fishery is about to be “rationalized.” In practical terms, it means regulated seasons are out. In their place, each boat gets an individual share of the total catch.
Gary Ripka told that economically, it’s a disaster. They can’t operate these boats. Spillover into other fisheries worries Newport shrimp fisherman Ted Gibson. He fears a whole bunch of his friends will turn into cutthroat competitors.
According to Ted Gibson the shrimp are going to come to town whether they are caught by five boats or fifteen boats. The federal Pacific Fishery Management Council approved the consolidation of the ocean trawl fishery last November. The quota shares system takes effect in just over a year.
David Jincks said that the management system as it is is broken. It can’t continue on. Jincks says the new system ends the rush to sea to catch fish before a competitor does. With individual shares, he says fishermen can take their time and fish “smarter,” as he puts it. Conservation groups hope that reduces waste and the accidental catch of protected species.
