The report by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center revealed the complex and often indecipherable variables that face fishermen seeking to make a living and regulators who by law are charged with protecting and rebuilding groundfish stocks.

The 97-page report showed the continued decline of the New England fishing fleet with 17 percent fewer active vessels in 2010 than in 2007, 10 percent fewer vessel affiliations (groups of vessels connected by common owners), 48 percent fewer groundfish trips, and fewer crew positions, days, and trips. On the other hand, the remaining vessels and vessel affiliations have increased their share of gross nominal revenues with 20 percent of active groundfish vessels securing 80 percent of those revenues, up from 68 percent in 2007.

While the "catch share" system is under attack politically and by a number of New England fishermen, especially smaller operators (see Seacoast Sunday, Oct. 16), proponents of the system believe it can succeed in the long run and that fishermen are beginning to make the system work to their benefit.

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