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.
The plans in this section [WILL ATTEMPT TO (but maybe actually will, once there's CONTENT on this page)] address the struggling fishermen who descend from a line of fishermen, the vessel operators and meat processors, cities and towns that rely heavily on profits from fishing, the islands that have few alternatives, and entire nations whose cultures are heavily integrated with the fishing industry.
Fishermen: Livelihood
The four options for fishermen:
- Job retraining for a new career
- Research
- Transition to sustainable fishing
- Unemployment
Alternative Employment
Mission has compiled several options to provide fishermen, who will be (or already are) displaced by our proposed solution, with employment opportunities in their field of expertise: the sea.
- tagging fish
- collecting data for the "More Research Page"
- hiring them as onboard observers
Transitional Subsidies (check if this matches with the subsidies in the other part of the solution)
Part of our solution calls for subsidizing the transition to sustainable fisheries. In this case, select fishermen who choose to progress fishing technique and abide by the proposed Agreement could qualify for government subsidies.
Currently, the U.S. Magnuson Stevens Act allocated funds to porgrssive fisheries, and when fisheries in a given locale fail to improve, those funds are reallocated to others that are improving. Similar programs like this encourage fishermen to abide by the laws of the sea (CITATION NEEDED).
Elimination of Days at Sea
Many areas have implemented a Days at Sea program to restrict the number of days a year fishermen are allowed to take out their boats. Proponents reason that reducing the time fishermen spend fishing, and thus the number of fish that are caught, will slow the depletion of fish stocks. This has dealt a severe blow to the industry, however, and left many fishermen frustrated and out of work. In Massachusetts, the Days at Sea program has cost the fishing industry $22 million. In response, Senators John Kerry and Edward Kennedy have pushed for a bill that will allot $15 million in aid for fishermen (Maguire, 2007). Earlier this year, the New England Fishery Management Council ruled to continue the Days-at-Sea program, because a better management alternative was not proposed in time.
We propose that the Days at Sea program be terminated and the fishery management rely strictly on quotas instead.
Someone please address Scotland: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/ssi2003/20030066.htm
Cultural Implications
Discussion of culture here
Kesich, G.D. & Bell, T. (2007). "Fishery council keeps limits on days at sea." Portland Press Herald. Retrieved November 18, 2007, from http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=116294&ac=PHnws
Maguire, K. (2007). "U.S. denies request to aid fishermen." The Boston Globe. Retrieved November 18, 2007, from
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/10/23/us_denies_request_to_aid_fishermen/
Rejobbing and Retraining
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.htm
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos177.htm