Fishery Regulators Seek To Modify Catch-Share

Nearly two months after controversial fishery management rules took effect, regulators are re-assessing an overhaul that has drawn sharp criticism from New England fishermen.

The New England Fishery Management Council is planning to make adjustments to and soften its catch-share program, which imposed limits on catches.

The new measures would modify catch limits for pollock, look at new techniques to rebuild depleted stocks, and lift some limits on scallop fishing, among other changes.

Council spokeswoman Pat Fiorelli says the adjustments would redress complaints about the new system.

"This is not an overhaul to the catch-share program," Fiorelli said. "These are fixes and we hope to mitigate some of the negative consequences that have occurred in the catch-share program to date.

"With almost every catch-share program that we know of, there are follow-up problems simply because it's a sweeping change, large amounts of detail, and you don't always get it right the first time around."

A vote on the changes is expected in November.