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A lesson in history and a question at the end.
History: Three years ago Gulf of Maine advocates were in a similar argument. We needed a Haddock reduction and privates wanted a ten fish limit while the charter fleet was stating they must have unlimited bag limit to sell charters. The charter fleet won and we stayed at unlimited for the 2013 season. When the catch data came in we caught more than 200% of our quota. This is why, even though our haddock quota recently more than doubled we are only going to have a bag limit of less than 5 haddock in 2015.
Current SB debate: IF MA can analyze, predict and manage split regulations NOW then they can surely can do so after the fact when there is more data.
It is known that if the fishery does not make the required 25% reduction we will be required to adjust regs again and next time there WILL BE closures. In New England I think this will be closures during at least part of May or September.
QUESTION: Are the 2 fish for the charter fleet advocates on this page willing to agree to split accountability measures? If your risky reg does not work (just like what happened with haddock) will you agree now to follow the data you are selling now and put into regulation a guarantee of split accountability?
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