A proposed federal program to allocate portions of commercial fisheries harvests to harvesters, communities and other entities, with a goal of rebuilding and sustaining these fisheries, is coming under increased fire in a debate now spread nationwide.
The latest volley of shots came in weeks just past, during a congressional subcommittee oversight hearing in Washington, D.C., on community perspectives on catch shares, and at a panel discussion at Kodiak's annual ComFish commercial fisheries gathering.
Proponents of the catch share program, led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, say this is a proven powerful tool to manage fisheries to sustainable levels and improve their economic performance. Such a policy, according to NOAA, encourages well-designed catch share programs to rebuild fisheries, and sustain fishermen, communities and vibrant working waterfronts, including the cultural and resource access traditions that are part of the nation's history.
Read the complete story at The Bristol Bay Times.