With the onset of the many new rules and regulations we propose, the livelihood of fishermen and members of fishing communities are undoubtedly at stake. Implementing quotas or marine protected areas may restrict fishermen's freedom to fish and an elimination of subsidies or restricting technology may increase the costs. It should be noted, however, that the regulations Mission 2011 proposes are not aimed at destroying the fishing industry-- because we, too, realize the importance of fish in our own lives and many of us are not necessarily willing to revert to a fish-free diet ourselves --but rather to transition from depleting fish stocks to sustainable fishing in order to secure the supply of fish and success of the fishing industry in years to come.
That said, change is inevitable, and there is no solution to the global fisheries problem that does not involve reducing the number of fish that is caught, and, in turn, reducing the number of people who make a living through the fishing industry. Just as workers in the auto industry have been displaced by machines, the abacus upgraded to the calculator, and lead in gasoline replaced with hydrocarbons, some fishermen will need to leave the industry and seek a new occupation in the long run. Even without the regulations we are suggesting, fishing can never be as profitable as it was in the past due to declining fish stocks. Communities centered around fishing need to adapt to a system that limits fishing, or risk a sudden, irreparable economic downturn that will result if the fish population collapses.
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- tagging fish
- collecting data for the "More Research Page"
- hiring them as onboard observers
The In sections 201 and 403 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act has provisions , the United States has specified provision which state that craft must have onboard observers for every fishing expedition: specifically, "
The EU additionally requires onboard observers, but currently these observers are paid by the fishermen themselves and not by the government, creating a sort of conflict of interest. We propose creating programs in nations across the board (not on an international fishing expeditions within the EEZ, and these observers act as federal employees, with formal training in "collecting and analyzing the information necessary for the conservation and management," "science and statistical analysis," and "basic vessel safety" (P.L. 94-265, 2007).
Additionally, the EU suggests onboard observers, but currently these observers are not always mandatory and are paid by the fishermen themselves and not by the government, creating a sort of conflict of interest. We propose creating programs, in states most effected by this unemployment issue (not on an international scale, however, because not all countries will be effected by the fallout of fishery unemployment), that mandate onboard observers for the reamining fishing vessels. This program should be run through the national government so that no conflict of interest arises. In a report on the ACP-EU fisheries, the CTA and Commonwealth Secretariat suggested a perfect model for the program: "On board observer programmes should be compulsory (ensuring that no
possibilities exist for circumvention). Observers should be paid through a public fund (to which EU ship owners should contribute); and not directly by the boat owner. Observers should be qualified to the same level of competence ("brevet"), ensuring the same level/quality of observership for all FPAs" (Gorez 2003). scale, however, because not all countries will be effected by the fallout of fishery unemployment)....STILL EDITING (ALEX J)
Transitional Subsidies (check if this matches with the subsidies in the other part of the solution)
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Although critiques point to small countries dependant on fishing as a con to any regulation placed on fishing, we can look to the example of the Maldivesto see that once countries and cultures realize the dire condition their fish stock is in, they will take action. They know that lack of action would be a devastating blow to their country and certain cultural practices in the future.
The Maldivesis Maldives is an archipelago of nearly 1200 coral islands where fisheries account for 11% of the GDP, 20% of employment, and 74% of the country's export commodities. The country's dependence on fisheries have led it to develop sustainable fisheries for various species including the giant clam. However, management was quick to respond to potential overexploitation of the giant clam, by banning its export, though this would definitely decrease some profits for the people of the Maldives. (FAO fishery country profile, http://www.fao.org/fi/fcp/en/MDV/profile.htm) Indeed, it is essential for us to show countries and cultures that rely on fish, the state the global fishery is in, a task which the educational component of our solution hopes to achieve. If we can have the management of these countries and cultures take the initiative first, we will be more likely in having the people be responsive and supportive of our solution.
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As of 2004, there are approximately 38,000 people working as fishermen in the United States, making between $322 and $775 a week.http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos177.htmweek.
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos177.htm
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Japan's Whaling Fleet Sails Despite International Censure. (2007). Enviornment News Service). Enviornment News Service. Retrieved November 22, 2007, from http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/nov2007/2007-11-20-01.asp
Kakuchi, S. (2003). Japan's fishing industry in peril. Asia Times. Retrieved November 22, 2007, from http://www.ens-newswireatimes.com/ensatimes/nov2007/2007-11-20-01.aspKakuchi, S. (2003). Japan's fishing industry in peril. Asia Times. Retrieved November 22, 2007, from http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Japan/EF28Dh03.htmlJapan/EF28Dh03.html
Gorez, B. (9 April 2003). ACP EU Fisheries relations: Towards greater sustainability. CTA and the Commonwealth Secretariat.
"The Magnuson-Stevens Conservation and Management Act." (P.L. 94-265, 12 January 2007). United States Statutes at Large 94 (2007).