Step 6 – Develop administrative systems

Administrative systems are an important component of a catch share program. By developing and implementing effective administrative systems, you will ensure that participants can successfully participate in the program and are held accountable for their privileges.

6.1 How will trading occur?

Most catch share fisheries allow trading of shares, either through permanent or temporary transfers, in order to achieve biological and economic goals. When a catch share is transferable, there must be a mechanism for trades to occur. Encourage cost-effective, transparent trading that is easy for all participants.

6.2 How will catch accounting work?

Accountability of shareholders to their allocated share is one of the most important aspects of a catch share. Importantly, catch share fisheries consistently stay within their catch limits and rarely exceed limits. One of the keys to catch share management is to continually track fishermen’s catch, including landings and discards, against their share holdings. Employ transparent catch accounting completed regularly enough to ensure the catch limit is not exceeded.

6.3 How will fishery information required for science, catch accounting and enforcement be collected?

The key to sustainability for any fishery is to ensure the catch does not exceed the appropriate science-based catch limit. As with all fisheries management, catch share programs also require good information to function well. Design and implement a fishery information system that keeps costs low and is effective in conducting catch accounting, collecting scientific data and enforcing the law.

6.4 Who covers the program cost?

Fish are public resources held in common by all citizens and managed on their behalf by the government. By accessing and selling fish, fishermen are inherently benefitting from a public good. There are two general cost-related issues to consider: how the transition will be paid for and whether the ongoing cost will be recovered from industry. Fisheries under catch shares are generally more profitable than traditionally managed fisheries and thus better able to afford at least some cost of management.