USA: fisheries management - increasing catch quotas as an emergency measure... to help fishermen?

A recent press release dated 14 March 2011 by NOAA attracted my attention.

The first paragraph of the press release reads as follows:

"A new emergency increase to the butterfish fishing limit will enable squid fishermen off the northeast, who often catch butterfish unintentionally while fishing for squid, to continue working, while still protecting the butterfish stock."

Further, in another paragraph one can read:

“We’re taking swift action to raise fishing limits and to address the economic challenges faced by fishermen,” said Eric Schwaab, assistant NOAA administrator for NOAA’s Fisheries Service. “Working with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the fishing industry we are taking advantage of the flexibility in the Magnuson-Stevens Act to allow more fishing while still continuing programs to rebuild fish stocks for the long-term benefits they provide.”

So, by raising the "fishing limits" for a by-catch species for squid fishermen, NOAA is helping fishermen to address the economic challenges they are facing.

This is a demonstration that fisheries management can take into account the economic challenges that fishermen have to face. In other words, when setting catch limits fisheries managers can take into account,  in addition to scientific advice, other factors such as the "economic challenges faced by fishermen".

Here is the link to the press release:

http://www.nero.noaa.gov/nero/hotnews/NR1106/

And here is a link to an article in the East Hampton Star on this subject:

http://www.easthamptonstar.com/dnn/Home/News/CommercialFishermenGetReprieve/tabid/14504/Default.aspx