Five major processors with plants at Kodiak are suing the federal government over the new Central Gulf of Alaska rockfish catch shares program.
The plaintiffs are Trident, Westward, North Pacific, Ocean Beauty and International.
The 21-page lawsuit accuses federal regulators of failing to do proper environmental studies before adopting the program.
The real issue, however, is who controls the fish.
Because the program establishes catch shares, but not processor shares, all the profit in rockfish harvest will go to vessel owners, the companies argue.
Well, Deckboss is sure he's greatly oversimplifying this. So he strongly recommends you read the lawsuit for yourself.
In particular, check out page 15, paragraph 39 of the complaint.
For background on the rockfish program, click here.