Karl Cygler
Sector Management in New England
This project documents fishery management related changes in individuals, households, and communities in New England.
Matthew Schult
Karl Cygler, 36, owns a company which provides fisheries observers to commercial fishing vessels, including sector and commonpool boats. Mr. Cygler used to be an observer as well and his father was a commercial fisherman in the 1980?s. Mr.Cygler has seen changes in observer coverage since sectors started and his staff mentioned there is more tension and frustration on the part of the fishing industry in having to carry observers at a higher rate than before sectors. Mr. Cygler mentioned the fishing industry now seems to have more investment in the data collected by observers, as now this data can be used to close fisheries if high numbers of certain ?choke? species are caught. While the industry has changed due to sectors and he sees a high turn-over rate in his observers due to the difficult nature of working at sea, he says he has great hopes for the future of the groundfishery in New England. Mr. Cygler hopes that sectors will continue to function in a more positive way for fishermen in New England.
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