Alaska had the first taste of the dreaded "Catch Shares" programs. This
program goes by several different names, but still ultimatly uses a "share"
program to dictate who does and does not get to fish. This has nothing to do
with how many fish they are, how many fish are caught, but only who determines
who gets to fish. Through differing programs, sector coordinators, usually
incorperated, and governed like a profitable business collect dues for the
shares that are "Allowed" to be fished. Some dictate the allowable time
fishing can take place, others the allowable catch, but in the end many once
active anglers are shut out of fishing.

This started as mostly commercial, but "Test" recreational programs are being
pushed, and the evential goal is for all fisheries to fall under a "Catch Share"
type policy. These shares are allowed to be bought, sold and traded. The small
commercial angler usually cannot survive on their limited share and eventually
have to sell out to a large corperation, who in turn hires once proud and
independant fisherman to work for them, for less money, but better than not
working at all. Bottom line when it comes to "Catch Shares", as any sane
person feels about drugs, "Just Say NO"!