2011 was like no other year for West Coast trawl fleet

摘要

For West Coast trawlers, 2011 will be remembered as a year like no other. From shifting to 100 percent observer coverage to being able to fish at any time of the year, for fishermen who catch whiting and other groundfish, many of the fundamental rulesof the fishery were given a complete overhaul. the groundfish rationalization was touted by the feds as a way to give fishermen their own share of the catch, making fishing safer, more flexible and, potentially, more profitable. Bycatch would see a dramatic reduction, and fishermen would naturally become more responsible and accountable. But did it live up to those lofty expectations? Fishermen, non-fishing quota-holders, environmental interest groups, and fishery managers are weighing in on 2011's performance. Overall, they give the new system cautiously positive ratings.