Originally Posted By: Dogfish
You didn't touch on buying back 5 licenses per year through license fee increases. If it is run through the state the licenses could be retired. Also, running legislation that allows others to purchase and retire licenses at the same time would quicken that pace.

Sure would be a pitty if civil rights were granted based on the wishes of the majority.

What are some equitable solutions?


Civil rights? Huh???

Equitable solution vis-a-vis buyout? Okay, here are some thoughts. Have the 5 year plan on a random draw paid for out of increased fees and with a commensurate annual shift in harvestable numbers from commercial to recreational keeping in mind that the increased fees need to be high enough at the front end to fully fund the program through its life as the number of active licenses is decreased (reduced revenue stream) over time. Pay market value for any used gear plus the undepreciated value for any boat used solely in that fishery and not retained by the owner. If the boat is turned in it is destroyed. If it is not turned in then the owner gets nothing and that vessel cannot be subsequently sold to another fisherman in that fishery. Now for the big issue; value of the license. I have a real problem reimbursing a license holder beyond what the license cost when originally issued by the State.
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