Why was the QMS introduced?

May 22, 2020

The Quota Management System was introduced to address fish depletion and overcapacity in the commercial sector, that is, too many people chasing too few fish. Some fish stocks were estimated to have been depleted to less than 10% of their natural stock size. The QMS was promoted as a means to rebuild depleted fish stocks, to give quota rights to commercial interests so fishers would be incentivised to act as good stewards of the sea, and to make commercial fishing more economic.