New Bedford Standard Times
February 25, 2005

Fishermen, regulators assess merit of quotas

By Becky W. Evans

Fishing would be a safer industry if regulators introduced a quota system that limited scallop catch but allowed fishermen to make their own decisions regarding crew size and days at sea, local boat owners said. "It would give a lot more flexibility back to boat owners," said Raymond Starvish, owner of four New Bedford scallopers. "They could fish when they thought it was safe to fish."

Under a quota system, regulators would determine how many scallops could be harvested per year without undermining efforts to rebuild stocks. Each boat would receive a share of the total scallop quota, which they could catch at their leisure.

Quotas would also eliminate rules that limit fishing days and crew sizes, which fishermen have blamed for the Dec. 20 sinking of the Northern Edge and other recent fishing accidents that have claimed the lives of seven New Bedford fishermen.

Regulators are willing to consider moving toward a quota system, but fishermen must develop a proposal and submit it to the New England Fishery Management Council, said Pat Fiorelli, spokeswoman for the council. "Maybe an open dialogue about (quotas) is where we need to go if people are interested," Ms. Fiorelli said. "These are grass-roots issues that would really turn the management structure on its ear."

Fisheries management is a public process that requires participation from fishermen if they want to see change, she said.

"All of our meetings are open to the public," she said, noting that the council's scallop advisory panel will meet in Revere on Wednesday, March 2. Quota systems are a controversial topic on the waterfront. Some boat owners fear that quotas would lead to consolidation of the industry and the death of the small fisherman. Others say quotas are the only way to bring power back to the fishermen and make the industry safer.

"The fleet is so divided on that issue," said former scalloper Bruce Herman, who added he was speaking for himself and not as a member of the Fisheries Survival Fund, an advocacy group for scallopers.

"I am sure there is a way they could work a quota system into what they are doing," Mr. Herman said. "But most of the time thoughts of quotas scare boat owners."

Mr. Starvish, who owns seven fishing permits, said he has little compassion for boat owners who fear large fishing corporations will buy up their share of the quota.

Consolidation is common in a capitalistic system, he said. "People buy and sell businesses," he said. "That is what made this country great."

Armando Estudante, who owns and captains the New Bedford scalloper Endurance, said he would favor a quota system if it included controls that protect smaller boat owners.

"It may be more rational to give each boat a quota," Mr. Estudante said. "Maybe it will help eliminate excessive hard work with some crews." Under current rules, scallopers can carry only seven fishermen. Some fishermen argue that bigger crews would make fishing safer by allowing more time for sleep. Others say profit-minded boat owners, not fishing regulations, are responsible for making crews work long watches of up to 18 hours.

Under a quota system, boat owners would have the freedom to choose how many fishermen to take on a trip.

Knute Aarsheim said he would welcome quotas if they created an opportunity for young fishermen to enter the industry. Crew sizes must be larger to allow shackers or trainees to go on trips to learn the trade from skilled fishermen, he said.

"It's a young man's job," said Mr. Aarsheim, who owns two scallopers. "But you don't have opportunities for young fishermen to come in because boats can't afford to."

Whether or not fishermen support quotas, fisheries management is moving in that direction, said Eddie Welch, who owns and captains the scalloper Westport.

"That's where it is going," said Mr. Welch, adding that quotas are already in place for certain trips.

During the scallop season, boats may take five trips into so-called closed areas that are only open to fishing for a limited period. Each boat is limited to a catch of 18,000 pounds of scallops per trip.

Regulators should start by waiving crew size limits for these closed area trips since boats are bound by a pound limit, fishermen said.

It makes no difference to scallop stocks if boats operate with one man or 10 men in closed areas since boats can only land 18,000 pounds of scallops, Mr. Bruce said.