Study focuses on effects of Alaska crab rationalization on coastal communities

摘要

The revolutionary switch last fall to individual fishing quotas in Alaska's major crab fisheries brought with it an outcry over the resulting fleet consolidation. In short, a bunch of boats went away and along with them perhaps hundreds of crew jobs.And the jobs that remained reportedly became less attractive as some operators lowered crew shares. These reports have been anecdotal, essentially dock talk. But now, someone is seeking accurate, objective answers on just how painful the so-called crab rationalization program has been in terms of jobs, at least in certain key Alaska communities.