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Word on observer coverage.
As for the whales...they do get caught in the nets, and can survive a certain level of mortality per year. But -- with decreased observer coverage, it is hard to estimate exactly how much mortality is taking place. A few dead whales, while it is shocking to see, can be okay under the right circumstances.
It is a shame that overlimit fish must be dumped, but what is the alternative? Being allowed to keep overlimit/bycaught fish is like having no limit. Self-reporting among certain fishermen and certain fisheries does not have a good track record. What will stop a fisherman from completing a few extra hauls, if not more, if overlimit/bycatch is allowed? If there is to be a limit on overlimit, it's just like raising the original limit.
I do agree with most of the posting, especially upping the observer coverage. There is no simple answer to the fish problem.
As an aside, scallopers are upping observer coverage through industry funding. Perhaps that is a way to fund observer coverage -- either through the midwater trawl industry itself, or through other interested parties funding some trips.
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