Water Resource Plan

Water Resource Plan

James Dykowski

Axia College University of Phoenix

Water Resource Plan

Over the past ten years there has been a continuous study to challenge the theory that "There are plenty of fish in the sea." As it turns out that quote might be further from the truth. A fisheries biologist learned that the oceans resources were not unlimited and does not have the ability to replenishing itself fast enough to meet fleet fisherman's demand.

A study published in 2001 by Jeremy Jackson of the Scripps Institute of Oceanography concludes that 90 percent of the big fish in the ocean have been taken out by fleet fisherman. That only leaves 10 percent left for all of them to fight over. Jackson's team of international scientists concluded that overfishing in more destructive than toxic pollution or degrading water quality. "The notion that we can somehow keep hunting and gathering in the oceans without limit to feed six billion people is just pretty stupid. We will never be able to fish at the level we've been fishing" (Berg, 2001).

After doing some research on the issue I have concluded that a sector system might be the best way to rebuild the fishing stock. The sector is made up of a self-selecting and self-regulating group of fisherman that collaboratively manages an allocation of fish. In other words fisherman must work with other competing boats in a predetermined area. Once the quota of fish is reached then the fishing is done for the season. These sectors must draft and submit a proposal that includes, formation of the vessels, operations plans, and rosters detailing the fisherman, and permits enrolled in the sector. These documents must be submitted to NMFS by September first of the year before they plan to operate.

"Sectors are intended to allow local fishery management, monitoring, and oversight of the multispecies complex of ground fish while complying with fishing regulations and the fishery stock rebuilding provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act" (Background Information on Sectors, 2008). For agreeing with the new sector plan members are exempt from certain regulatory restrictions like, trip limits on allocated stocks, and certain seasonal closed areas. Sector group must submit reports listing, at sea monitoring, dockside monitoring, dealer reports, vessel trip reports and weekly sector reports to ensure that sectors are following the regulations.

This program is designed to keep fisherman away from certain sections of the ocean so the fish stock has enough time to replenish itself. Also The GMRI Sector Extension Program provides advice and training for sector members and managers. Training includes outreach and education