take our consumer survey
Help shape the design of our CSF Pilot Program by giving us your feedback.
CSF Pilot Program
In partnership with Buy Fresh Buy Local Cape Cod, the Hook Association is setting out to launch a Community Supported Fishery. But first, we need to hear from YOU! By taking our survey, you can help to shape a future CSF on the Cape and ensure that the fresh seafood caught by Cape Cod fishermen continues to feed Cape Codders for years to come.
What is a Community Supported Fishery (CSF)?
Traditionally modeled after the Community Supported Agriculture program, a "typical" CSF works by offering community members the opportunity to purchase a subscription share of locally caught seafood and in return, members regularly receive a given number of pounds of that seafood which is guaranteed to be caught in local waters by local fishermen. This type of CSF is operating in similar fishing communities 
in MA (Gloucester and Cape Ann) and has been piloted locally by the Weir Harvest CSF in Chatham.
Although a relatively small portion of participating fishermen's catch is allocated to CSFs, the Hook Association is looking at this model and others to increase the number of alternative market pathways for our fishermen. In doing so, we hope to help fishermen provide a more direct delivery of guaranteed high-quality fresh landed catch to a broader consumer base while also giving people the chance to buy seafood directly from fishermen, and in that way, strengthening the connection between the community and local fishermen.
What are the Potential Benefits of a CSF?
-
Consumer Education!! A CSF will enable seafood consumers to recognize and seek seafood from fishermen whose fishing practices are harvested the most sustainably AND provide the highest quality.
-
A CSF could diversify the market for fishermen and increase and/or stabilize the bottom line of local fishing businesses by establishing an alternative small business enterprise to which they could sell a portion of their fish.
-
A CSF could create new niche markets for previously undervalued fish species such as redfish, American plaice (flounder), and hake; all the stuff you don’t see on a regular menu!
-
A CSF could provide an avenue for consumers to experiment with locally caught fish that are not commonly found in domestic markets.
-
Buying local strengthens the regional economy by tapping Cape Cod’s 225,000 year-round residents and nearly 1 million summer visitors.
USDA’s Rural Development’s Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) Program provided funding to CCCHFA for the purpose of conducting a preliminary market assessment, which is vital to CCCHFA’s understanding of the potential market for a CSF locally. A consumer survey will help the Hook Association determine if there is interest in a CSF and, assuming so, what type of program would efficiently link customers to the locally caught, fresh seafood of the fishermen.
Once the survey is complete, the Cape Cod Economic Development Council, in partnership with Buy Fresh Buy Local Cape Cod, will support the development of enhanced distribution and marketing channels for locally harvested products. The CCCHFA and BFBL will launch a Community Supported Fishery (CSF) Pilot Program on Cape Cod to support and promote the local fisheries.
Stay tuned for updates on the Hook Association’s CSF program as work progresses!
