To Restore Marine Life, Collaboration Is Key

A few weeks ago, I sat in a room full of New England fishers as they faced a drastic and historic change to their industry.

We all knew that the reductions in catch being asked of these fishers would hurt families, communities and the local economy.

But these cuts are needed to rebuild depleted fish populations so they can help meet the growing global demand for seafood. To save a centuries-old industry – and to give future generations the opportunity to eat wild seafood – the world must develop new ways to fish.

The best way to achieve this is by working directly with fishers. Inspired by the Nobel-winning economist Elinor Ostrom’s prescription for overcoming "tragedies of the commons," this is the collaborative approach used by The Nature Conservancy in California and Maine, and abroad in Tanzania and Indonesia.

Fishers are engaged at the outset to help improve the science that drives stock assessments and fishery regulations. Refining selective fishing -- avoiding juvenile fish as well as struggling species like cod and haddock while seeking out more abundant species like pollock and redfish -- is a necessary part of the process.

To accomplish this, The Nature Conservancy became a stakeholder in the New England fishery four years ago, acquiring groundfish permits to support collaborative research with fishers. As a result, inshore fishers from Maine have developed more selective gear that reduces waste and protects struggling species.

Difficulties in the fishery have been a long time coming. I recognize that there is no single solution that will solve all the challenges facing the Gulf of Maine, and laying blame certainly won't bring back any fish. But collaboration between the scientists, environmentalists and fishers who all care about this issue can work.

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