Is this it? About the same story as the SE Halibut, to many fisherman trying to catch to few fish.
WESTPORT—
Commercial fishing season is underway on the Washington coast. But in some ports, the boats are still tied to the docks, and fishermen are not fishing.
A new federal program called "Catch Shares" has left hundreds of local fishermen stuck on dry land.
The Catch Shares program allows fishermen to catch only a strict quota of fish, and also places tough restrictions on the amount of endangered fish a boat is allowed to catch.
If a fisherman violates the rules, they could be out of business for the rest of the season, or even longer.
Fishermen in coastal fishing towns like Westport say they are being squeezed out of business by the new regulations.
Fishing is a significant part of the economy in many towns, so boats staying in port could have a devastating effect.
The government says since the season has just begun it’s too early to judge the impact of the new regulations.
The NOAA Fisheries Service says it is true that fewer fishermen are working, but the ones that are, are making more money.
NOAA also says it’s important to point out that endangered fish are being protected.
Edited by SBD (04/13/11 01:02 AM)
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