The National Oceanic and Atmospheric association has proposed a cap-and-trade type scheme for the better management of national fisheries. Under the catch share proposal, a catch share mechanism would be put in place that places hard limits on the number of fish that can be caught and fishermen are able to buy and sell shares.

The first catch share pilot programs began under the Bush administration and have become an important policy directive under the Obama administration for long-term sustainability. This management approach has proven effective as a mechanism to halt the decline of fisheries and to preserve ocean diversity.

Read a good analysis of the pros and cons of this strategy in the New York Times.

Read more related Spatial Sustain posts:

• NOAA’s Year-Old Plan for a Climate Service Comes Closer to Reality with Website Launch
• Climate Monitoring Becomes a Key U.S. Government Priority
• Massachusetts Maps a New Ocean-Management Plan
• Collaborative Effort to Map Oregon Coast
• Coral Reef Early Warning System Adds Another Sensor Node