Title

A Study of the Social and Economic Capacity of Eastern Maine Fishing Communities: How Can Small-Scale Fishing Communities Participate in Catch Share Programs?

Investigators

Teresa R. Johnson, Principal Investigator, University of Maine, OronoFollow
Kevin Athearn, Co-Principal Investigator, University of Maine at MachiasFollow

Additional Participants

Project Partners
Robin Alden, Penobscot East Resource Center
Ken Cline, College of the Atlantic
Christ Peterson, College of the Atlantic

Other Collaborators
Dr. James Wilson, University of Maine
Ted Ames, Penobscot Resource Center
Aaron Dority, Penobscot Resource Center
Carla Guenther, Penobscot Resource Center

Level of Access

Open-Access Report

Grant Number

NOAA, Saltonstall Kennedy Grant #: NA10NMF4270207

Submission Date

11-30-2013

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the degree to which small-scale, fishery-dependent communities in eastern Maine can participate in the catch share system for New England groundfish. Catch share programs can take on a variety of forms, including: harvesting cooperatives, individual quotas, individual transferable quotas, or territorial user fishing rights (Holland and Wiersma 2010). In New England the regional Fishery Management Council implemented a catch share program beginning in 2010, known as sectors, where portions of the total allowable catch have been allocated to groups of fishermen. As managers continue to develop catch shares, and stocks hopefully rebuild, it is critical to assess the degree to which small-scale, fisherydependent communities, like those in eastern Maine, can participate successfully in this management system. This study asks the following question: What is needed for fisherydependent communities in eastern Maine to participate in the New England groundfish catch share system? Our approach was to first document the current and historical participation of Eastern Maine fishermen in the groundfish fishery through a rapid assessment and oral history interviews and then consider how the current catch share system in place creates barriers and opportunities for future participation by these communities.

Rights and Access Note

This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. In addition, no permission is required from the rights-holder(s) for educational uses. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Recommended Citation

Johnson, Teresa R. and Athearn, Kevin, "A Study of the Social and Economic Capacity of Eastern Maine Fishing Communities: How Can Small-Scale Fishing Communities Participate in Catch Share Programs?" (2013). University of Maine Office of Research Administration: Grant Reports. 2.
https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/orsp_reports/2

Manuscript Number

MS584_2014_JOH_Study