photo credit Emilio Concari
What are the options for a good outcome?
Here is a story of what was done in Peru recently when they were faced with issues concerning industrial scale fishing.
Peru passes important ocean protection law to protect the first five nautical miles at sea.
The “Five Mile law” protects Peru’s ocean abundance, biodiversity and the livelihoods of artisanal fishermen.
https://oceana.org/press-releases/peru-passes-important-ocean-protection-law-to-protect-the-first-five-nautical-miles-at-sea/
Peru passes important ocean protection law to protect the first five nautical miles at sea.
The “Five Mile law” protects Peru’s ocean abundance, biodiversity and the livelihoods of artisanal fishermen.
https://oceana.org/press-releases/peru-passes-important-ocean-protection-law-to-protect-the-first-five-nautical-miles-at-sea/
1. Only allow reduction fishing in Federal waters.
All reduction fishing must take place in Federal Waters which start at 3 miles offshore.
Pros:
A. The estuaries and near shore coastal ecosystems will no longer be under constant pressure, giving them the ability to recover.
B. The reduction fishing industry will be allowed to continue operating, keeping jobs and tax revenues.
C. Traditional watermen and small commercial operations will be given more opportunities to succeed in healthier bays and near shore waters.
Cons:
A. 1.8 billion wild fish per year will still be lost to the industry.
B. The reduction industry in America would need to make the investment to modernize their fleets, upgrading to ocean going vessels.
2. Ban reduction fishing products derived from U.S. Waters.
Pass Federal legislation ending the profitability of reduction fishing in America.
Reduction Fishing Exclusion Act:
“Ban the sale or exportation of any raw material or product derived from reduction fishing in the Waters of the United States.”
Pros:
A. U.S. Waters will no longer be under constant pressure from reduction fishing, giving them the ability to recover.
B. Traditional watermen and small commercial operations will be given more opportunities to succeed in healthier bays and near shore, as well as offshore waters.
C. There will be no future threats to other fish species from the reduction fishing industry.
Cons:
A. The reduction fishing industry will cease to exist in America.
All reduction fishing must take place in Federal Waters which start at 3 miles offshore.
Pros:
A. The estuaries and near shore coastal ecosystems will no longer be under constant pressure, giving them the ability to recover.
B. The reduction fishing industry will be allowed to continue operating, keeping jobs and tax revenues.
C. Traditional watermen and small commercial operations will be given more opportunities to succeed in healthier bays and near shore waters.
Cons:
A. 1.8 billion wild fish per year will still be lost to the industry.
B. The reduction industry in America would need to make the investment to modernize their fleets, upgrading to ocean going vessels.
2. Ban reduction fishing products derived from U.S. Waters.
Pass Federal legislation ending the profitability of reduction fishing in America.
Reduction Fishing Exclusion Act:
“Ban the sale or exportation of any raw material or product derived from reduction fishing in the Waters of the United States.”
Pros:
A. U.S. Waters will no longer be under constant pressure from reduction fishing, giving them the ability to recover.
B. Traditional watermen and small commercial operations will be given more opportunities to succeed in healthier bays and near shore, as well as offshore waters.
C. There will be no future threats to other fish species from the reduction fishing industry.
Cons:
A. The reduction fishing industry will cease to exist in America.