|
|
Use of Public Resources: Before the moratorium, regional fishery management councils issued IFQs to fishing vessel owners based exclusively on catch history. The free allocation created windfalls for its few recipients, while prohibiting fishing-based income to independent fishermen and coastal communities and denying American taxpayers payment for this public resource. As public property owners, taxpayers are entitled to revenue from fisheries as from other public resource extractions, such as mining, grazing, and logging. Fisheries Consolidation: When IFQs undergo free market transferability, large fishing corporations are able to consolidate quota shares, thus forcing small-scale fishermen out of the fishery. If Congress lifts the IFQ moratorium, consolidation of IFQs and ensuing fishery monopolization will devastate local communities, as small fishermen and fishery-related workers suffer job losses. Federal programs to mitigate the damage will cost American taxpayers millions. Enforcement Problems: No mechanisms exist to monitor IFQ shareholders effectively. Because IFQ programs pose enforcement problems, they encourage highgrading, quota busting, and unreported bycatch, which ultimately reduce the fishery's value and benefit to the nation. Ecological Damage: Improperly implemented IFQ programs could result in poor harvests and ecological damage. Corporate domination may ultimately demolish fisheries: massive fishing vessels with destructive gear can lead to habitat destruction and rapid overfishing. Not only will habitat degradation and overfishing eliminate target fish species, but they also will harm other species in the ecosystem.
Suggested standards if the moratorium is not extended:
Initially Allocate IFQs in an Auction: IFQ distribution via royalty-based, periodic auctions will fund enforcement and allow economic return to the property owners, the national taxpayers. This also will increase equity and eliminate the heightened the race for fish that precedes quota distribution based solely on catch history. Read more about IFQ Auctions. Limit Transferability: Proper IFQ restrictions can prevent consolidation, thus respecting livelihoods based on traditional fishing lifestyles and communities.
Put IFQ Revenue to Use: Some revenue from IFQ auctions should be reallocated back into the program to support monitoring and enforcement. Promote Sustainability: Managers should coordinate IFQ programs with other ecosystem management tools to effectively minimize overfishing, bycatch, and ecological damage. Sustainable management secures the future of fish as a consumer resource and as an ecosystem component. For more information contact: Harriet Nash |
