April 11, 2012 – The following was released by Ecotrust and the Island Institute:
Portland, Ore. and Rockland, Maine, April 11, 2012 — Today marks the beginning of a new era in community-based fishing in America, with 14 community fishing associations from Maine to Alaska banding together to start the national Community Fisheries Network (www.communityfisheriesnetwork.org).
The founding member organizations, ranging in size from 5 to 35 fishermen, commit to environmental stewardship in their local waters and to pursue the highest standards of community engagement, financial accountability and transparency, and economic development. They’ll also grow a nascent campaign to promote their brand of sustainable, “community-caught” fish in local and regional marketplaces.
The launch demonstrates the strength of community-based fishing organizations, a classification within the fishing industry that is recognized in national fisheries law, but has been largely overlooked in policy development and management decisions by the regional fisheries councils that oversee the nation’s fishing sector.
“Strong community groups are the key to well-managed fish stocks and healthy working waterfronts across the country,” says Linda Behnken, head of the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association, one of the network’s charter groups. “Today, we’re banding together to share experience and knowledge. We will be working toward positive change in national fisheries policy that recognizes and supports sustained participation by community-based fishermen in coastal fisheries."
Glen Libby, president of Port Clyde Fresh Catch, another charter member agreed: “It’s very exciting to be working with this many groups of like-minded fishermen from communities all over the country and to realize that we have so much in common. We are fortunate to have been presented with this opportunity to learn from each other and we look forward to a long-term collaboration.”
Fishing community leaders are responding to their own experience of watching the industry consolidate into fewer and fewer hands, both in the fishing and the processing arenas. This process, much of it encouraged by regional fisheries councils and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has had large economic impacts on smaller fishing communities.
In seeking to strengthen the role and recognition of communities in fisheries management, Community Fisheries Network members are drawing on powerful research from 130 fishing communities worldwide, which shows a clear benefit to fish stocks and fishing communities in areas where communities join in the management of marine resources.
“The fisheries that are successful in the long run demonstrate a deep sense of stewardship by the people working the water — that’s true in the developed world, as well as the developing world,” says Ed Backus, Vice President for Fisheries at Ecotrust, a co-convener of the Community Fisheries Network. “Having strong community fishing organizations is the best way to nurture and strengthen that connection between people and place.”
Heather Deese, Vice President for Programs at the Island Institute, a co-convener and member of the network added: “The Community Fisheries Network was spawned by fishermen and their friends and supporters in communities across the country facing similar issues. The Network members are deeply committed to doing whatever it takes to keep fish stocks healthy for the long- term so that there will be jobs for local fishermen and seafood for the nation, next year and in fifty years.”
The charter members of the Communities Fisheries Network are:
Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association
Alaska Marine Conservation Council
Cape Cod Fisheries Trust/Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen’s Association
Cape Cod Development Partnership
Maine Coast Fishermen's Association
Calendar Island Maine Lobster Company
Penobscot East Resource Center
Port Clyde Fresh Catch
Port Orford Ocean Resources Team
San Diego Fishermen's Working Group
Port of Morro Bay, CA
San Francisco Community Fishing Association
Island Institute
Ecotrust