The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Policy Office organized a small workshop to explore issues and experiences associated with commercial fishing communities and catch shares. The purpose of the workshop was to discuss the role and function of fishing communities in current and future catch share programs, including Fishing Communities (FCs) and Regional Fishing Associations (RFAs) established under Limited Access Privilege Programs as defined in Section 303A of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Action (MSA). The 25 workshop participants included members and staff of the Regional Fishery Management Councils; NMFS staff; NOAA General Counsel; fishermen; and community and fishery-based association experts with experience in organizing and managing fishermen. On the third day of the workshop, Regional Council Directors and Council member leadership who attended the MSA Council Coordination Committee meeting of January 9–10 joined the workshop for part or all of the day.

During the workshop, the participants discussed nine core topics covering a range of social, economic, technical, and environmental issues. These discussions led to a set of themes and several requests for further guidance from NOAA. The outcomes of the workshop do not fully capture every perspective across or within fishing communities, and do not represent official positions of NOAA or the U.S. Government. However, they do provide a valuable starting point for thinking about ways to support communities as they adjust to current and future catch share programs to ensure sustainable fisheries. The intent of this report is to provide a written account of the discussions that took place during the workshop, including documenting ideas and questions and suggestions for further guidance or research.

View the proceedings of the workshop