Fisheries management is changing from an olympic fishery, in which anyone with a boat could fish until the quota was caught, to a limited entry or individual quota system, in which fishers must qualify in order to participate in the fishery. On the national level, new legislation is imminent. New, regionally stringent regulations are already in place for the Pacific coast and Alaska. Nancy has represented numerous vessel owners along the northwest coast, assisting in the process of applying for limited entry permits or quota share to participate in the fisheries, and appealing denials of these applications. Recently, Ms. Harriss has been working with the National Fisheries Conservation Center on a pro bono basis assisting the fledgling group incorporate as a tax exempt corporation.
Bycatch occurs when fish species other than targeted species are harvested, and often killed.
She also has been an active member of the King County Bar Association Maritime and Fisheries Committee, serving as vice chairperson from 1992-1993.