I do not believe the number of fishing licences is a problem or that it has an effect on conservation. A decline in crab stocks or in prices will lead to economic problems. The management of this fishery is predicated on total catches, on the size of each crab and so forth. The problem is not that there are more or fewer traps, Economic conditions are the problem.
If too many fishers cannot earn a living, if they earn too little, this will probably affect their actions. They have to find a way to cover their costs and to make ends meet. Newfoundland fishers have exhibited a range of problems in terms of their actions. Fines in the order of $400,000 have recently been imposed. This has nothing to do with crab conservation.