Commercial fishing in Morro Bay could suffer a big blow come January 1. That's because a two-year old program called the "Catch Share System" will allow fishermen to buy and sell fish catch quotas to the highest bidder after the New Year.

It was originally established two years ago after a decade of research, and it was meant to halt the overfishing of ground fish. Those species include black cod, rock cod and a number of others. However, many fishermen now say the program may put them out of business and eliminates new fishermen from coming into the market.

"It was a big push by most environmental groups across the nation," said Morro Bay fisherman Mark Tognazzini. "They thought this was the answer to all answers and it really has not been."

Tognazzini is a staple in the Morro Bay fishing community. He says the "big fish" are the only ones who benefit when it comes to catch share programs.

"These things are often promoted by the big and powerful," said Tognazzini.

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