For some, it will return to privatise the rights of peach. But for many experts, it is undoubtedly the best means to struggle against the surpêche. The American advice of management of the fishings of the Pacific made a historical decision last week: instead of managing opening periods of the peach and ban, she will allocate quotas individual to every fisherman. A new organisation which aims at giving a sense of responsibility to the actors of this industry, while many kinds of fish are overexploited and while supplies collapse.

This idea of quota individual is already in force in Australia and in New Zealand. As well as in some American regions. Last September, an imposing study published in Science had crossed to the riddle eleven thousand fishings over more than fifty years. And shown that those who are based on individual quotas knew twice less collapse of supplies in comparison with the zones of collective quotas. (To read for example “It Is necessary to privatise the peach to save fish”).

From 2011, all the fishings of the American West coast, of California to the State of Washington, will therefore be managed individually. Every fisherman will accept right to catch an annual quantity of fish (every kind making the object of a quota). If he brings it back less, free to him to sell the unused quotas. If he fishes too much, in load for him to buy quotas from other fishermen. A grant of quotas will be set up.

Besides the protection of the fishery supplies, this device is of interest to guarantee a higher price to the fishermen. Because the length of the periods of allowed peach tended to be reduced year by year. Suddenly, all trawlers rushed to catch a maximum before the cleaver of the closing falls. And all fish was at the same time on auctions, making fall courts. The study of Science had shown that the individualised quotas protect courts. In passage, and it is nothing, the fishermen will not be any more tried to go out by any time, and the number of accident of peach could diminish. Because in compensation for quotas, opening periods will be extended, allowing to the fishermen to wait for less hard meteorological conditions.

In Europe, if the services of the European Commission (IT) follow by loan American decision and studies on subject, quotas remain fixed by kind and by country. This week, the IT offered to fix itself sanctions for overtaking of quota. Until now, they were determined by States-members and seldom applied. Brussels should offer quotas in fall for 2009 for around thirty kinds, and ban for some others. Debate promises to be enlivened, as every year. In when a reflexion on the individual quotas, which seem to make proof to them …

Picture: Red mullets poodles, conscripts also Grape-pickers © Denis Delbecq