The Law That's Saving American Fisheries - Ocean Conservancy

“Draggers have a bad reputation for over-harvesting and
grabbing everything that’s down there,” he says. “With
an observer onboard, I can prove that’s not the case.”
Seitz is part of a West Coast drag fleet that uses “risk pools,”
which help the fishermen cope with accidental overages.
Not unlike the concept of a sick-leave bank, each fisherman
donates some of his quota to the marketing association’s
pool. If a fisherman accidentally exceeds his quota and is shut
down, he can then ask to use or buy the quota he needs from
the risk pool so he can keep fishing. Risk pools also advise
members where to fish, helping the fleet avoid areas where
overfished species are present.
Selling locally to niche markets is another strategy Seitz
employs to establish more solid financial footing. He markets
directly to restaurants and is exploring relationships with area
universities to create a program of community-supported
fishing. Modeled after local agriculture cooperatives, which
arrange for the delivery of seasonal fruits and vegetables to
subscribers, community-supported fishing contributes fresh
seafood to area markets while providing a better price for the
fishermen. In addition to helping the fishermen financially,
the program connects local communities to the fisheries and
fishermen who feed them.
“Draggers have a bad reputation for overharvesting
and grabbing everything that’s
down there. With an observer onboard, I can
prove that’s not the case.”
— Rob Seitz
Seitz is just one of many fishermen using innovative methods
to adapt to policies designed to sustain U.S. fisheries. His
ability to prosper within the constraints of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act shows how individuals can work within the
regulations to allow resources to be managed effectively and
responsibly. As he says, “It’s better to live in the solution than
to be a part of the problem.”
Use of selective fishing methods can help protect cowcod, which are overfished.
NOAA
24 It’s a Keeper