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"HAs anyone of the experts on this thread read the national catch share policy document by NOAA. Can you explain the difference between the terms "allocation", "limited access privilege program (LAPP)", and "individual fishing quota IFQ." I will state that they all are very different management tools that have different pros and cons. The one thing they all have in common is they all are a variation of the term "catch share". Anyone got any opinions on which might be ok to consider in any fishery here in New England."
Not an "expert" (not a sex therapist either ..but I know when I'm getting screwed) but I'll take a crack at this for those who really want an understanding of how some see this issue. BP, it's interesting that you mention american capitalism because I see the current management direction as the exact opposite and I'm not the type that sees the "socialist boogeyman" behind every action taken for the public good.
Limited Access Privilege is strictly defined under Magnus/Stevens and there are a number of conditions and administrative requirements that must be met for a LAP to be granted. Under MS "cooperative groups of fisherman " can APPLY for and pay for this privilege. Generally the groups would be those with a significant catch history. Members of a LAP program would have an IFQ based on their catch history; the major benefit to them is control over their days at sea as well as an allocation of the TAC and some market control. There are a number of anti-trust provisions and protections for the fishing communities and small boat fisherman required under LAP; additionally a percentage (25%?) of the administrative fees collected are supposed to be dedicated to allowing small boats to work towards LAP participation and to assist new entries in the fishery. The current NE groundfish Sector management plan is an LAPP however there seem to be major provisions of MS that are ignored. 1st the Sector plan was imposed by NOAA; many fisherman either did not want to or could not join a sector. Those with the largest catch history "had" to join a sector or be relegated to the common pool. Impact on fishing communities is ignored and the assistance available to small boat fisherman, especially hook fisherman, is a boot out the door.
Here's a few things to consider. The NE groundfishery is almost entirely "closed access"; I believe the only open access permit available being a Handgear B permit. This means no additional effort coming into the fishery. If the TAC remains the same how is consolidation of the fleet a conservation measure rather than just a redistribution of the economic gain to a select few at the expense of others? Doesn't it in fact seem to reward those who currently "take" the most with a bigger share? There is a lot of data available on how sector management has led to "fleet consolidation" (read loss of fishing jobs) and control of quota by "off the water" entities. I personally prefer to support an iconic NE industry over some corporate group who's making their money by selling quota back to fisherman at a profit or paying the guy on the water $10 an hr. to fish out of what used to be "his" boat. Do a search on EDF's David Festa and check out the presentation to the Miliken Institute regarding the economic opportunities for investors....if there were any fisherman at that presentation they were the kind that hold their reels upside down!
Those who support limited government spending might find the GAO's report on administrative costs of LAPP's interesting. We are paying big $$ to administer these programs (NOAA enforcement, CG operations, etc.); your tax dollars at work...putting the local fisherman out of a job. Another interesting point...the current NOAA budget request eliminates funding for fisheries research and data collection and increases funding to implement sector management. Does this make sense?
I know a lot of guys on SB.com are concerned about "the fish" but if you think that people pushing this agenda are concerned about your rights to fish you need to check what their affiliations are. Also check out the RFA's position on catch shares.
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