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Environmental Defense today released the results of a landmark study that provides a clear roadmap for rebuilding fishing stocks and restoring fishing communities. Entitled “Sustaining America’s Fisheries and Fishing Communities,” this research details how Limited Access Privilege Programs (LAPPs), or “catch shares,” save fishing stocks and help restore fishing communities by offering clear environmental, economic and social benefits. The report also describes a tool to help design effective systems.
A team of over 30 scientists, economists, fishery specialists and other experts collected data on nearly 100 fisheries and analyzed over 150 peer-reviewed studies. Funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, this is largest such study since the U.S. Congress lifted the moratorium on catch shares five years ago. |
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“Catch shares are the missing piece in the puzzle to restore our fisheries and fishing communities,” said Fred Krupp, President of Environmental Defense. “For the first time, this comprehensive study provides the hard data that shows how catch shares can improve the performance of fisheries at lower cost to fishermen and greater benefit to the overall ecosystem.”
“This comprehensive analysis shows that LAPPs can be a pivotal tool in preserving fishing stocks,” said Barry Gold, the Marine Conservation Initiative Lead at the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. “When designed with local objectives in mind, these systems not only help create sustainable fishing practices, they can also help restore fishing communities.” |
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