Page updated on 12/26/07
 

Sector Allocations 
 

    
     In 2007, the New England Fishery Management council had prioritized the development of an omnibus amendment that would set the groundwork to allow for sector allocations in all its fishery management plans.  Current sector plans in the region allowed for a self-selecting group of permit holders.  Sectors could allocate catch to individual members or use other means to control the total catch of the sector.
     The Northeast Multispecies Fisheries Management Plan contained measures that allowed for sector allocations for cod in the groundfish fishery.  2 sectors have been approved under this plan.  During the recent scoping process for Amendment 16, the New England Fishery Management Council received comments on the sector process that included requests for new sectors and adjustments to a number of measures contained in the plan. 
     These ongoing actions will impact how future allocations of fish are undertaken in the region.  Attendees joined this panel for a discussion of sectors in New England, current actions underway and what this will mean to fishermen and fishing communities.

     Host:  Mary Beth Tooley, East Coast Pelagic Assn.