Buying Out the East Coast Capacity Reduction: Buying Out the East Coast Groundfish Fleet M I T S E A G R A N T Madeleine Hall-Arber, Ph.D. Anthropologist Center for Marine Social Sciences Marine Advisory Programs

Why? Biomass too low Overcapitalization high tech talented fishermen low profits Long-range Outlook (NEFSC) Amendment 13 (NEFMC)

How? Industry-funded buyout (Today’s focus) Legal requirements (Leo Erwin, NERO) West Coast Experience (Peter Leipzig, Fishermen’s Marketing Association) Next steps Decision about whether or not to proceed Questionnaire Comments If yes: Financial Plan Referendum Decision will be made by those who vote

Other ways to reduce capacity Coops Community quotas IFQs TURFs

What do you envision for your port? Few boats with many DAS each? Many boats with few DAS each?

Pros and Cons Profit Environment, stewardship, impacts & bycatch Safety Management, monitoring and enforcement Social support Capital, labor and other resources

Vision of your community Moderate profitability for more vessels may keep more shoreside businesses viable, maintain the fishing community identity and promote food security. Higher profitability for fewer vessels may raise standards of maintenance and safety, keep fishing attractive as an occupation for a few, make the waterfront available to other uses.

How does one ensure equitable fleet reduction? Participate in the discussion Consider your history, the history of your community and the future Consider the effects of the different methods of fleet reduction Join with others who share your point of view and comment