Glossary of Terms

Bycatch

Bycatch refers to fish or other species caught unintentionally. Bycatch is often unwanted or unused. 

Catch Share

Catch Share is the portion of total allowable catch allocated to individuals or vessels.

eCatch

eCatch is a tool developed by the Nature Conservancy that provides a simple way for fishermen to collect, map and share their fishing information.

Electronic monitoring (EM)

Electronic monitoring (EM) refers to a wide range of technologies which monitors fishing activities and/or enhances observers’ ability to collect data.

Groundfish

Groundfish are fish that live on, in or near the body of ocean they inhabit. Some examples of saltwater groundfish species are sole, flounder, and halibut.

Individual Transferable Quota

Individual Transferable Quota is a fisheries management structure in which total allowable catch is allocated to individuals in the form of quota shares.

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a federal agency focused on the condition of oceans and atmosphere.

Overfished Species

Overfished Species refers to depleted fish stocks.

Pacific Fisheries Management Council (PFMC)

Pacific Fisheries Management Council (PFMC) - one of eight regional fishery management councils established by the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976.

Quota Share

Quota Share is a portion of total allowable catch

Risk Pools

Risk Pools are intended to provide a level of financial safeguard for individuals whereby bycatch quota is pooled and available to all pool members.

The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy is a worldwide conservation organization working to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.

Transferability

Transferability means that quotas can be bought, sold or leased.

Trawling

Trawling is a method of fishing that involves pulling a fishing net through the water behind one or more boats.