Cooperation the key to financial reward? Makes sense for any other industry other than fishing, as getting two fishermen to agree on anything is an exercise in futility.

Nevertheless, the Science journal has published research from Australia that suggests a cooperative system can increase the financial reward and lessen pressure on troubled fisheries.

“We believe these results will help persuade fishers that it is in their interests to take the long-term view — that by reducing their catch now they will more than make up any temporary financial losses with increased profits in the future,” he said.”

In typical fashion, a follow on article written for the Joplin Globe suggests a system akin to student loans, whereby the fishermen could be paid during “rebuilding” years, and the loans repaid once the fishery was reestablished.

To overcome opposition from fishermen, loans could be taken out to pay them for not fishing as the stocks rebuild. The loans would be repaid by the fishermen when the fish were abundant, said Grafton.

I think I’ll take the dim view on this one, as soon as the fishery is closed you buy some rotting hulk in drydock, get your commercial skipper, and slurp federal dollars. In the meantime, you can fish commercially for species that are viable and profitable, or just lounge around after leasing your boat to the Starkist folks, who’ll gladly handle the paperwork and federal stipend.

I’ll admit I don’t have the answer, but the subsidy angle has been abused so often in the past, I’m leery of it’s application to fisheries.

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