Fishing Quotas

[Rob]

So I was watching the Trawlermen last night. One of the shots was showing how the boat skipper had caught the wrong type of fish, and would have to throw it back due to EU quotas. What was really daft was that the fish would probably all be dead, by the time they'd sorted it.

This isn't conservation of fish stocks. If they are caught, even accidentally, then it makes sense to land them.

The only way to conserve stocks is to somehow prevent the fish, or whatever marine life, being caught in the first place.

[Maggy J]

Originally Posted by Rob

So I was watching the Trawlermen last night. One of the shots was showing how the boat skipper had caught the wrong type of fish, and would have to throw it back due to EU quotas. What was really daft was that the fish would probably all be dead, by the time they'd sorted it.

This isn't conservation of fish stocks. If they are caught, even accidentally, then it makes sense to land them.

The only way to conserve stocks is to somehow prevent the fish, or whatever marine life, being caught in the first place.

One way would be to choose the more environmental forms of fishing.Bottom trawling for one is something that is very distructive of habitats.Plus take into account seasons and size of fish.

As far as I can see the quota system isn't working because they aren't as strict as the experts would like and the suggestions of no fishing zones are conveniently being ignored.

Outside Europe is there any kind of fishing quota system in operation?Any kind of method of preserving fish for the future?

[danielf]

Originally Posted by Rob

This isn't conservation of fish stocks. If they are caught, even accidentally, then it makes sense to land them.

Problem is, if they are allowed to land them, the amount of fish that gets caught 'accidentally' is likely to go up considerably.

[gazzae]

Originally Posted by Incognitas

Outside Europe is there any kind of fishing quota system in operation?Any kind of method of preserving fish for the future?

From watching Deadliest Catch, they have what seems to be a pretty strict one in Alaskan waters though that's for crabs not fish

[foreverwar]

I thought part of the quota system was the size of the net mesh - then the young fish should slip through (could be wrong, as my only exposure to fish in on a Friday night, with some chips alongside them).

[Rob]

Net size doesn't always work. The prawn fishing trawler has to have small nets. But that means lots of fish bycatch. Yes there needs to be a means of preventing the unscrupulous going after the "accidental" catch, but if you've caught it, throwing it back dead is appalling.

No take zones can work, and indeed have a potential to start restocking areas outside of the zone. Maybe proper creation and enforcement of such zones is the way forward?

[Nidge]

Originally Posted by gazzae

From watching Deadliest Catch, they have what seems to be a pretty strict one in Alaskan waters though that's for crabs not fish

Good programme is that, they have to put up with some harsh weather them Alaskan fishermen.