What are the key principles of catch share design?

Throughout the Design Manual, 13 design principles highlight clear lessons learned from around the world and basic rules of thumb for a successful catch share program. They are summarized here for quick reference and are discussed in further detail in their respective sections.

1. Design the catch share program based on clearly-articulated goals with measures of success.


2. Consider including in the catch share program species that are commonly caught together.


3. Create separate catch limits and shares for each species, stock and zone in the catch share program. The catch limit should account for all sources of fishing mortality and should prevent overfishing. If the stock is already overfished, the catch limit should be set at a level that will rebuild the stock.


4. Develop mechanisms for accommodating new entrants during the design of the catch share program and prior to initial share allocation.


5. Allocate shares for sufficient length to encourage stewardship and appropriate investment by shareholders and associated industries. This can be achieved by allocating in perpetuity and/or for significant periods of time with a strong assumption of renewal, provided rules are adhered to.


6. Employ percentage shares, when possible, of the overall cap rather than absolute weight units for long-term shares.


7. To increase program flexibility consider trading, permanent and/or temporary, which is generally a hallmark of catch share programs.


8. Develop a transparent, independent allocation process that is functionally separate from the rest of the design process. Allocations that retain the relative equity positions of stakeholders are the least contentious.


9. Employ an allocation appeals process that allows eligible participants to refute allocated amounts with verifiable data.


10. Encourage cost-effective, transparent trading that is easy for all participants.


11. Employ transparent catch accounting completed regularly enough to ensure the catch limit is not exceeded.


12. Design and implement a fishery information system that keep costs low and is effective in conducting catch accounting, collecting scientific data and enforcing the law.


13. Assess performance against goals and encourage innovation to improve the program over time.