Sustaining America's fisheries

Our massive research project "Sustaining America's Fisheries and Fishing Communities" took over 14 months, analyzing over 150 peer-reviewed studies and collecting data on nearly 100 fisheries. The study includes an in-depth performance analysis of the 10 existing U.S. and joint U.S.-Canadian catch share fisheries. 

The Environmental Defense team included over 30 scientists, economists, fishery specialists and other experts. It is the largest such study since the U.S. Congress lifted the moratorium on catch shares five years ago (also see overview and key findings).

Key findings

• Catching within limits – All catch share fisheries have catch limits and compliance rises dramatically. In fact, on average landings were 5% below the cap.
• Improved Science and Monitoring – Nearly three-quarters of catch share fisheries are monitored for environmental impact, compared to just one-quarter of non-catch share fisheries. Biomass estimates were significantly more precise.
• Reducing bycatch – Bycatch was reduced by more than 40%, which, together with the benefits of complying with catch limits, each year saves the equivalent of the annual seafood consumption of 16 million Americans.
• Limiting fishing impact on habitats -- Catch share fisheries deploy 20% less gear to catch the same amount of fish:  less gear in the water likely results in reduced habitat destruction.  All of the catch share managed fisheries also make use of ecosystem protection tools like time or area-based closures.
• Economic performance – Revenues per boat increased by 80% due to higher yields per boat and higher dockside prices.
• Safety – Under catch share systems, safety more than doubles, based on an index of vessels lost, lives lost, search and rescue missions and recorded safety violations.

Key recommendations

Based on the findings outlined in our report "Sustaining America's Fisheries and Fishing Communities," we offer the following recommendations:

• Implement catch shares widely. Catch shares are a key component in successful fisheries management and should be implemented more widely in order to build sustainable fisheries and vibrant fishing communities.

• Ensure robust and effective design.

  1. Educate stakeholders on catch share programs and options: Stakeholder should draw on this detailed body of knowledge regarding design elements, frequently encountered barriers and successful strategies to create catch share systems that maximize benefit and minimize transition costs.

  2. Improve efficiency of design process: Program design should be done by small groups of representative stakeholders with clear instructions from state and federal managers as to goals and timetables for decision-making.  Another critical element is credible conflict-of-interest standards for members of the design committee.

  3. Prioritize funding for catch share design process: In light of their ability to help fisheries meet multiple objectives, funding should be prioritized to implement catch shares.  In addition, we recommend exploring ways to tap improved fishing economics through public-private financing initiatives.

• Invest in the future. Some of the increase in value created by catch shares should be reinvested in the fisheries and fishing communities. New revenues can help run catch share systems; improve data collection, achieve the social objective of particular communities; or increase the levels of monitoring and enforcement and research.

• Develop thorough review and adaptive processes. Catch share programs should be adaptive in order to regularly improve performance and address any new issues that may arise. This requires updated science as well as a robust process for addressing necessary management changes.