How many fishermen are impacted by the 10-year moratorium?
Approximately 2,666 vessels currently active in the fishery meet the qualifying criteria for the moratorium permit. NOAA Fisheries Service identified an additional 285 vessels that either had a permit at one time but let it expire, or they obtained a permit after the December 6, 2003, control date. Of these 285 ineligible vessels, 126 were not found to be active in the fishery during 2002 (the last year of data available during the time the Council deliberated this issue), and may no longer be in the fishery. Of the remaining 159 active vessels, 87 of the vessels were identified as operating entirely in state waters, and will not be affected by the permit moratorium. Therefore, NOAA Fisheries Service estimates 72 vessels active in the federal fishery would be excluded under the moratorium, and of these, most of the impacts would be imposed on the 45 larger vessels; the small vessels would be impacted less because they would be more likely to operate in state waters.
