http://www.lenfestocean.org/publications/catch_shares.html and http://www.pnas.org/content/107/2/754.full

Ecological indicators display reduced variation in North American catch share fisheries. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Essington, T. 2009.

In a new study funded by the Lenfest Ocean Program, Dr. Tim Essington studied 15 North American catch share programs to determine their effect on marine ecosystems. Dr. Essington examined a range of measurements of fishery health, including population status, catch landings and fishing rate. He compared fisheries with catch shares to fisheries without them and also evaluated fisheries before and after the implementation of a catch share program. He found that catch share programs can help eliminate erratic swings in fishing rates, catch landings and fish population sizes, among other factors, but may not necessarily lead to larger fish populations.

• View the Lenfest Ocean Program summary of the paper.
• View the Lenfest Ocean Program news release
• Listen to the author describe the paper at a press briefing.
• View the full paper on the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Web site.

 As  a reminder, NOAA’s draft Catch Share Policy is still open for public comment. Click here to submit your input: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/domes_fish/catchshare/comments/.

Special thanks to:  Debbie (for Leda Dunmire)
Pew Environment Group
Campaign to End Overfishing in the Southeast