anonymous (for employment)

This bill, under the guise of helping fisherman and families is only enriching the companies lobbying for it. Giving companies control of the allocated resource may be good for overall profits and even more efficient use of the resource but fishermen have not been given a voice in this matter.

As an employee of Clipper Seafoods I can testify that while the companies benefit, the fisherman employed by them will not. It is an economic disincentive for the fishermen running the boats to save all of the extra bycatch and by-products that can now be produced. Fixed costs such as fuel, food, gear and offload costs remain the same while the value of the catch (for which we are paid a percentage) decreases. If we fished another couple trips we could break even but for the time spent fishing the money will be much less. For all the financial crisis has done to slash prices/incomes in this industry, this is just another hit and its already happening.