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New system could help avert fisheries collapse

Guaranteeing individual fishermen a share of the catch could alleviate overfishing and help prevent the global collapse of fisheries, US researchers told Reuters.

Under the system, known as catch-shares, fishermen are given a fixed share of the fishery’s total allowable catch, which can be traded or sold much like a company’s stock. 

These shares rise in value in accordance with the overall fish population, which helps to align the fisherman’s interests with the health of the overall fish population.

Approximately 1% of global fisheries have adopted this management system, the report said, but those that have are half as likely to collapse as those using traditional management systems.

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