Open Letter: It’s Time for Collaborative Management
After two weeks of fisheries meetings and numerous comments from stakeholders, it’s
clear that our current system of fisheries management leaves much to be desired.
Since the General Assembly passed legislation in 2010 requiring overfishing to be
ended in two years, or less, and sustainable harvest to be achieved within 10 years
(with management that has at least a 50% probability of success), we have seen
nothing but declining harvest limits across every fishery.
This law – pushed by the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) and then DMF
Director Louis Daniel – has made North Carolina the most restrictive state in the Nation
when it comes to fisheries management.
Even California has less restrictive mandates!
The Division of Marine Fisheries routinely cites this law as the reason for severe
regulatory decisions, pointing to the “statutory requirements” to justify harsh harvest
reductions. And they’re right! When common sense measures other than direct harvest
reductions are suggested, again they point to these statutes, which require
“quantifiable” reductions, saying only a direct harvest reduction can be quantified.
But the greater truth is this: Our coastal communities are paying the price.
One of the statute’s key requirements is that Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) be
developed and reviewed every five years. Yet DMF often lacks the data needed to
conduct the stock assessments that inform these plans.
In other cases, assessments are conducted but yield highly questionable results or are
deemed unusable all together. Time and again, the quality and reliability of the science
used to drive management is a source of serious concern among stakeholders.
This law was supposed to “ensure the long-term viability” of fisheries with significant
importance to the State. But it’s hard to argue that the goal has been met.
In fact, many would argue that it’s hard to produce an income or even a family dinner,
from once viable fisheries, when access, not abundance, is so limited.
If the goal is viable fisheries, then we must shift course. We need to come to the table – fishers, scientists, managers, legislators, and all stakeholders – and work together to address these challenges. Top-down mandates are not working.
We need collaborative, adaptive, and transparent management grounded in science,
equity, and local knowledge.
We call on the DMF, DEQ, MFC, and our State Legislators to work with stakeholders to
improve this process. It’s time to strike a better balance – one that protects the
resource without sacrificing the communities who depend on it.
It is our coastal communities,
those with the deepest ties to healthy fisheries,
that are facing the greatest threat.
We want to be part of the solution. We want to leave thriving fisheries for the next
generation. But that can only happen if we work together – fishers, scientists, and
lawmakers – to assure both abundance and access for all.
The future of our fisheries depends, not just on good laws and good science, but on
good relationships. It’s time to rebuild trust and create a system that truly reflects the
values, knowledge, and voices of all involved.
Glenn Skinner
Executive Director
Thomas Newman
Fisheries Liaison
