Nearshore Fisheries

Pacific Marine Conservation Council (PMCC) advocates for ecosystem-based management that fosters sustainable fishing communities. The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy was clear in stating, “ U.S. ocean and coastal resources should be managed to reflect the relationships among all ecosystem components, including humans and non-human species and the environments in which they live.” We agree.

As PMCC considers important and controversial issues, we think in terms of benefiting the marine environment and the people and livelihoods connected to the sea. In this spirit, we offer the following position statement regarding nearshore fisheries.

PMCC supports the PFMC delegating authority to manage nearshore species to the states, provided a management plan is adopted and that it follows the position statements created by PMCC, including the protection of nearshore habitat and the prevention of overfishing, and employs ecosystem-based approaches that further the sustainability of fisheries dependant communities. Specific guidelines include:

1. Until and unless adequate data is collected for species abundance and total removal, the precautionary approach should be used.
   
2. Regional management of the nearshore is necessary to provide community input in nearshore management decisions.
   
3. Data collection should be well-coordinated and adequately funded. Data collection should include, at a minimum, at least two types of data: total removal and biomass assessments.
   
4. There should be a diverse and balanced commercial and recreational fishery.
   
5. There should be a periodic review of nearshore management for continuing consistency with federal management principles under the Sustainable Fisheries Act at least every 3-5 years.