Ponderings of a Scientist

Last week G.W. signed into law the 2006 reauthorization of the Magnuson Steven’s Act.  This act, originally written in the 1970s, is what created the U.S. economic exclusive zone. The new authorization has stricter limits on overfishing (which must be stopped in all fisheries by 2011), creates (what else) a commerce, business incentive based system for many fisheries (basically get rid of the small guy, consolidate the fisheries to large corporate interests, give them each a share of the industry, if they f**k it up, their loss), and has some international level legislation for highly migratory species.  Overall the bill isn’t bad in my opinion, but its not great either.  Essentially, we have just set NOAA up to fail, yet again, and be sued, yet again, by everyone and their brother (NOAA is tasked with ending overfishing by 2011, without causing unreasonable harm to the economy!) and it will create a quota system for many fisheries (essentially you own x% of the industry, you are guareenteed x% for the year, so no race for the fish, however this severely limits the number of people in the industry).  New Zealand is the most famous example of quota fisheries, which have worked to save many species, but caused much economic hardship for small fishing communities.

And of course the White House is spinning this signing in such a way as to present the Pres. as a ocean conservationist and hero to the environment.  Yeah right!