Catch Shares in Action: Spanish Galicia Goose Barnacle Cofradía System

Jan 01, 2013 | by
  • Description

The Spanish Galicia Goose Barnacle Cofradía System was implemented to manage the highly lucrative goose barnacle fishery. Program goals were focused on reducing overfishing and restoring profitability. The program codified traditional fishing guilds, known as cofradías , as co-managers by granting them secure and exclusive privileges to harvest goose barnacles within clearly defined fishing areas and requiring them to responsibly manage the resource. A key program innovation is the use of on-site fisheries ecologists to conduct scientific monitoring, set appropriate mortality controls and adaptively manage mortality controls within season to ensure sustainable goose barnacle populations.