The Coho Management Collective Agreement: What You Need to Know
If you are a salmon fisherman, you may be familiar with the Coho Management Collective Agreement (CMCA). It is an agreement among commercial salmon fishermen, processors, and the government to manage the Coho salmon fishery in British Columbia, Canada.
The CMCA is a complicated set of rules and regulations that govern the timing and amount of fishing in specific areas of the province. The main goal of the agreement is to ensure that the fishing industry in British Columbia is sustainable and meets the needs of all stakeholders involved.
The CMCA is administered by the Pacific Salmon Commission (PSC), a joint Canada-US organization that manages the salmon fisheries in the Pacific Ocean. The PSC is responsible for setting the fishing quotas for Coho salmon and making sure that the quotas are not exceeded.
The CMCA is a good example of a successful collaboration between the fishing industry and the government. The agreement has been in place since the mid-1980s and has helped to keep the Coho salmon population at healthy levels. It has also helped to create a stable and reliable market for British Columbia salmon products.
The key to the success of the CMCA is the cooperation of all stakeholders involved. Fishermen, processors, and the government work together to ensure that fishing is done in a responsible and sustainable manner. This includes the use of fishing gear that does not harm other species, such as sea lions and seabirds, and the implementation of measures to reduce bycatch.
The CMCA is not perfect, and there are challenges that need to be addressed. One of the biggest challenges facing the industry is climate change, which is affecting the migration patterns of the Coho salmon. The PSC is currently working on ways to address this challenge and ensure that the Coho salmon fishery remains viable in the future.
In conclusion, the Coho Management Collective Agreement is an important tool for managing the Coho salmon fishery in British Columbia. It is a good example of how collaboration between the fishing industry and the government can result in sustainable and responsible fishing practices. While there are challenges that need to be addressed, the CMCA provides a solid foundation for the fishing industry in British Columbia to continue to thrive.