Good or Bad?

[WreckDiver]

This is a cut and paste fromthe GC

ANNOUNCEMENT - AD HOC GROUPER IFQ ADVISORY PANEL BEING FORMED

The Gulf Council is creating an Ad Hoc Grouper IFQ Advisory Panel to assist in the development of an individual fishing quota system (IFQ) for the grouper fishery in the Gulf of Mexico. Persons with a background or interest in the grouper fishery or in IFQ systems are encouraged to apply. If you would like to be considered for appointment to this panel, please send a letter and or vitae to the Gulf Council describing your interest and qualifications for serving. Applications may be mailed to Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 3018 North U.S. Highway 301, Suite 1000, Tampa, FL 33619, or e-mailed to gulfcouncil@gulfcouncil.org. The application deadline is June 23, 2005.

[Denny]

The Council is creating the committee to study the potential effects of an IFQ program for the grouper fishery. The FRA will most likely have a representative on the committee.
ITQ'S or Individaul Take Quota's are also referred to as IFQ's, or Individual Fishing Quotas. They essentially give fisherman an allotment of fish to catch for a year. Each fishermans quota is based on their catch history when the fishery is initially allocated or divided up. If a fisherman does not or can not catch his allotted amount, he may sell some or all of his "quota" to another fisherman, who can then legally land and sell the fish.
ITQ's have good and bad points. The trend in national fisheries management is definitely toward using ITQ's.