Can anyone explain to me about fish ?

[venta]

I'm a little confused by the current business about the fishing quotas.

According to the news bulletins I've heard today:

(a) fish populations are falling like mad, thus there must be limits on the number of fish caught to prevent extinction
(b) fisherman are up in arms about the quota cuts, saying it will destroy their livelihood

Now, I can see their point in (b). However, (a) suggests to me that if the fishing isn't limited now, their livelihood is going to be pretty stuffed anyway.

But:

None of the interviewers I heard today asked any kind of questions about this of the fisherman they were interviewing.

Now, I'm assuming that the people who work trawlers can draw this kind of logical conclusion for themselves, and, if it were this simple, would be able to see past the cuts this year. Am I missing something ?

Comments

[floralaetifica.livejournal.com]

I'm guessing because they're more concerned about whether they'll be able to feed their children tomorrow than in ten year's time. Which is understandable, really. But possibly they're just trying to make people/the government aware just how bad their position will be if the quotas come in, and that they're going to need some serious help. For example, it's not just that they won't have any income, also they'll be saddled with a huge boat that they can't sell because noone else can fish either, in a community where most other people are in the same situation. Small Cornish coastal villages (for example) are going to be in an awful lot of trouble.

I do agree quotas are necessary. However, it's also going to be necessary to come up with some kind of solution to the sudden bankruptcy of thousands of families as well, and I haven't heard any plans for that yet.

[leathellin.livejournal.com]

The government has made the usual concilatory mutterings about community support and grants and compensation. Almost certainly no where near enough money.

Now all we have to do is keep the poachers out of the fishing areas as well...