Federal restricted access management plans for Alaska's fisheries have resulted in Bering Sea/Aleutian Island crab fisheries rationalization implemented in 2005. While rationalization of fisheries addresses problems of overcapitalization and inefficiencies in the industry, it does not explicitly address equitable distribution of shares to local communities or provide for the future participation of these communities. The Bering Sea/Aleutian Island crab rationalization program establishes a new precedent in rights-based fisheries management schemes by privileging processors with quota share. Through considerable and historical processor influence over local, state, and federal political processes, processor quota share was freely allocated to eligible processors because of the industry's claim to a long-standing and capital intensive investment in crab fisheries. Processor parent companies can rely on diversification of their investments, and their stake in the industry is protected through direct processor quota shares. Local income diversification strategies diminish, however, with the passage of each restricted-access management program and the currently identified protections for local communities are inadequate to ensure their participation inthe crab fisheries of the future. As a complement to the aim of achieving economic efficiency, the social context of fisheries needs to be considered in the design of rationalization programs for local fishermen and communities who too have a long-standing investment in Bering Sea fisheries resources.
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