The new fisheries-management system for New England officially began May 1. Roughly 800 of the eligible vessels, representing about 98 percent of the groundfish landings in recent years, have joined one of 19 sectors. Fishermen who have not opted into a sector will continue to fish under the days-at-sea effort-control management system.
A sector is a group of three or more persons who hold groundfish permits. They voluntarily enter into a contract together and agree to adhere to certain sector-created fishing rules and federally mandated regulations for one year.
In return, they receive a portion of the total available groundfish catch based on the combined fishing history of their sector-member vessels.
For the first time ever, there will be a cap on the amount of groundfish that will be permitted to be caught each year.
Fishermen can increase their individual allotments by leasing or trading fish with other sector members or with other sectors.