North Sea Cod

Cohodependent · 12-20-2002, 01:54 PM

Has any one been following the European Union discussions about the North Sea Cod quota? All the science seems to point to a serious depletion of the Cod stock and the recommendation was to cut the quotas by 80%. It seems that they finally compromised on a 45% reduction. I really feel for all of the fisherman and their families. They are all against the cut in the quotas for fear of loosing their jobs and their boats, but I fear that they will be in the same boat as the Canadians in a few years. Instead of taking a cut now to allow for the stocks to recover, it sounds like they just want to catch them all and be done with it.

ultralight · 12-20-2002, 09:07 PM

The situation there somewhat parallels the west coast's ground fishery failure in that the officials and the fishermen knew the problem was there but were reluctant to take any remedy, and were paralyzed by fear of criticism. And now they must try to stop the avalanche with extremely limited options. One thing is for sure: I'm never gonna endorse fishing to my kids as a means to bring home the bacon. So many people jumped into commercial fishing business years ago when the feds practically gave them boats and other lucrative incentives to fend off foreign fishermen, but there is now too many fishermen and too few fish.

GutshotApe · 12-20-2002, 09:26 PM

ultralight - I don't agree with your posts on other threads (i.e. interment) but you're correct on this one. Its another example of the tragedy of the commons. Nobody owns the resource and it is in every fisher's advantage to catch as much as possible without regard for the future - because if one doesn't another will. :depressed:

Cohodependent · 12-20-2002, 10:09 PM

As much as I hate to see some one suffer like these fishermen and their familys are sure to do, but I don't understand how they can fight the quota reductions while knowing in their hearts that if they don't do some thing now then it will be gone for generations. Some one is going to have to stand up to the plate and make a choice. Either cut way back now and suffer the job losses for the short term or wait until the fishery is gone for generations to come, and then every one will be out of work. Like you said, the same thing is happening here in our waters, as well as the waters off the western shore of Africa. There are other fisheries that are in the same boat. I fear that our world population and the fish catching technology are getting to the point that we may ruin our ocean stocks for the next 50 to 100 years, at least. Where will we be then? If these guys are not able to fish in their waters, where will they be sending their boats next? Is there a way to support the bottom fish stocks by way of hatcheries?? What can be done short of completly cutting off commercial fishing for these species?

[ 12-20-2002, 11:15 PM: Message edited by: Cohodependent ]