The porgy story is an argument for fishery management that brings a steady supply of product. There are plenty of success stories: The Atlantic sea scallop, the most valuable species in the region, is now managed that way.
But some say federal law is too rigid in setting timetables to bring back fisheries, and that can disrupt markets. The proposed Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009, sponsored by New Jersey U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, D-6th, is designed to ease rebuilding so commercial and recreational fishermen can make a living as stocks recover.
Current federal law requires fisheries to be rebuilt in 10 years, while the Pallone bill would extend that to 14 years. It’s opposed by environmental groups, and Rick Marks, an attorney for the fishing industry, says he does not see the bill getting anywhere.
Fishermen argue some management plans seem to mimic the boom-or-bust fishing cycles of the past. Instead of drastic cutbacks, they argue for keeping cutbacks slow and steady. They say many openings and closings of seasons for some species, such as black sea bass, disrupt the market.
The porgy provides an example of how failing to manage a stock can lead to disaster. Now the task is to rebuild the market and manage it to ensure a steady supply.
If it can be done, the porgy just may rule the winter waters off New Jersey once again.