Office of Sustainable Fisheries

Catch Shares

NOAA Proposes Draft Catch Share Policy

On December 10, 2009, NOAA released a draft policy on the use of catch share programs in fishery management plans. The draft NOAA policy encourages well-designed catch share programs to help rebuild fisheries and sustain fishermen, communities and vibrant working waterfronts. The draft policy provides a foundation for facilitating the wide-spread voluntary consideration of catch shares, while empowering local fishermen to be part of the process. Click here for the press release.

NOAA is seeking broad input on the draft policy from interested commercial and recreational fishermen, communities, state and local governments, tribes, businesses, associations, non-governmental organizations and the general public. The public comment period will end on April 10, 2010. Use the link below to submit your comment.

Regional Opportunities to Hear about the Draft Policy

January 26, 2010 - New England Fishery Management Council (Portsmouth, NH)
February 3, 2010 - Gulf Fishery Management Council (Mobile, AL)
February 10, 2010 - Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Cambridge, MD)
February 23-25, 2010 - Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (Honolulu, HI)
March 1, 2010 - S. Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Jekyll Island, GA)
March 5, 2010 - Maine Fishermen's Forum (Rockport, ME)
March 29-April 1 (TBD) - Caribbean Fishery Management Council (USVI)

Click here to view audio recordings and transcripts of Draft Catch Shares Policy meetings during the comment period.

If you have questions or to contact us, email us at catchshares@noaa.gov.

What is a Catch Share?

Catch Shares Image "Catch Share" is a generic term used to describe fishery management programs that allocate a specific percentage of the total allowable fishery catch or a specific fishing area to individuals, cooperatives, communities, or other entities. It includes more specific programs defined in statute such as Limited Access Privileges (LAP) and Individual Fishing Quotas (IFQ). It also includes Territorial Use Rights Fisheries (TURFs) that grant an exclusive privilege to fish in a geographically designated fishing ground. The recipient of a catch share is directly accountable to stop fishing when its specific share allocation is reached.

Catch Shares Task Force

In a June 22, 2009 press release, NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco announced creation of a Catch Share Task Force to assist NOAA and the regional fishery management councils as they consider and implement catch share management programs. The press release provides a list of Task Force participants and outlines the five objectives of the Task Force.

Below you can find Task Force status reports, summaries of stakeholder sessions, and meeting summaries.

Archive of Catch Shares Task Force

Current Catch Share Programs Map

Current Catch Share Program Spotlights:

Halibut & Sablefish (1995)

Western Alaska CDQ (1992)

Bering Sea AFA Pollock Cooperative (1999)

Bering Sea King & Tanner Crab (2005)

Pacific Sablefish Permit Stacking (2001)

Red Snapper (2007)

Wreckfish (1991)

Surf Clam & Ocean Quahog (1990)

Georges Bank Cod - Hook Gear (2004)

Georges Bank Cod - Fixed Gear (2007)

Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Pilot (2007)

Groundfish (non-Pollock) Cooperatives (2008)

Mid-Atlantic Golden Tilefish (2009)

Gulf of Mexico Grouper & Tilefish (2010)

Programs Under Development:

Scallop General Category IFQ

West Coast Trawl Groundfish TIQ

New England Multispecies Sectors

Catch Share Resources

Glossary of Catch Share Terms (PDF)

Catch Shares Fact Sheet (PDF)

Selected Catch Shares Bibliography (PDF)

Design and Use of Limited Access Privilege Programs (PDF)