DV-12-12 National Summit on Community-Supported Fisheries

Erik Chapman
New Hampshire Sea Grant
131 Main Street
Durham, NH 03833
603.862.1935

Community Supported Fisheries (CSFs), inspired by the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model in which consumers pre-pay for a share of fresh local produce from local farmers, have been one approach that fishermen and fishing communities have explored to direct more money to boats, while achieving a range of other social and environmental goals. Over the last five years, CSFs have grown dramatically in number and size on a national scale. If the growth of CSAs is any indicator of the trajectory of CSFs, we can expect that the number of CSFs will continue to multiply. Despite this potential, a variety of technical barriers and overarching questions about their long-term viability have arisen as these programs have matured over the past several years.

The National Summit on Community Supported Fisheries, organized by New Hampshire Sea Grant, brought together a small group of CSF organizers, fishermen, and community leaders (50-75) to explore the challenges and opportunities associated with the emerging model.

Sea Grant funds: $2,000