Endangered Species: Small-Scale Fishermen Written by M. Ben-Yami —

They have solid sea legs, good seamanship, and first-hand experience in reacting to weather and sea vagaries and in handling navigational and working deck emergencies; but they are increasingly squeezed. In many developed countries small-scale/artisanal fisheries mainly supported by small family businesses (SSF) are dwindling. There’re several causes to this process. Read More http://fisheryworld.com/

4 Responses to Endangered Species: Small-Scale Fishermen Written by M. Ben-Yami —

  1. Dick Grachek says:

    Thank you Menakhem Ben-Yami for your clarity and integrity. I too believe small fishing operations are inherently self-sustaining and resource balancing.

    A fleet of many privately owned small boats have conservation systems and limits built in. They are restricted by weather and range and limited funding, by market prices, fuel, and mechanical repair costs; they naturally spend down (non-fishing) time due to these factors. Also due to narrow financial margins and weather safety issues, they can only fish for the stocks that are plentiful and within reach of their ports. It is not financially viable for them to fish on depleted stocks.

    Small operations are nimble operations. They are able to quickly change gear and fish for a variety of species, always gravitating towards the healthiest and most abundant stocks. This coupled with intelligent management would render a balanced and securely healthy resource and a thriving industry.

  2. Dick Grachek says:

    A Fleet of many small “inefficient” boats will sustain the fish, preserve jobs, provide a vital healthy source of fresh food daily, and keep the traditional coastal fishing communities thriving.

    Catch shares commodification, on the other hand, clearly invites the disastrous effects of private equity market capitalization, speculation, and industrial scale harvesting that is responsible for so much of the economic mayhem and suffering in the world today.

  3. scupguy says:

    Government isn't the solution to the problem government is the problem.

    The words of Ronald Reagan ring so true today. This government created faux crisis is just a vehicle for an ever intrusive beaurocracy to achieve a means to an end. Their goal is to eradicate the american small boat fisherman. In my oppinion they are on the cusp of victory.
    The US now imports 91% of the seafood it consumes. The US fisherman has been marginalized to a poinht of being insignificant in our domestic markets. There are no protections in place to level the playing field of these poor quality, uninspected imports from nations that practice little or no conservation and can produce products for a fraction of the costs of US fisherman.

  4. scupguy says:

    Here in lies the hypocracy of the green groups. While the US has the most stringent regulations on the planet, the pressure to totally eliminate the American fisherman remains by these hypocrits. Backed by an administration that is all to willing to throw its seafood producers under the bus the future looks bleak indeed for the participants in this noble proffesion. While the dealers and purveyors will continue to survive selling imported garbage such as talapia, the front line troops who bring the public the freshest wholesome food you can put into your body will be forever lost.
    It's taking place as we speak. Government liars and conservationist liars have become one and the same.

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