NOAA is developing a national catch share policy to promote future consideration and adoption of catch share programs as a management strategy in U.S. fisheries where appropriate. In June 2009, NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco appointed members from NOAA and each of the Regional Fishery Management Councils to a Catch Share Task Force to support this priority. NOAA has drafted a catch share policy for public review and comment, and is seeking broad input on its draft policy through this website.

In fisheries managed with catch shares, individuals or groups of fishermen are allotted a share of the total allowable catch of a fish stock. These fishermen then decide how to catch their allotment when weather, markets and individual business conditions are most favorable, and they must ensure that they do not exceed their catch limits. Catch shares have been used in some U.S. fisheries since 1990. Experience here and in other countries has shown they can effectively achieve annual catch limits, eliminate overfishing, reduce the negative biological and economic impacts of the race for fish, and result in safer and more profitable fisheries while also addressing other social objectives. While catch shares are not appropriate for all fisheries, NOAA believes it is in the public interest to encourage and support the evaluation of catch share programs in the context of the challenges facing U.S. fishery managers.

NOAA's goals are to: help reduce any administrative or organizational impediments to the consideration of catch shares; inform and educate stakeholders of the different options and capabilities of catch share programs; and help organize collaborative efforts with interested Councils, states, communities, fishermen and other stakeholders on the design and implementation of catch share programs.

The Draft NOAA Catch Share Policy