Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance

cape cod commercial fishermen's alliance

youtube offfacebook offtwitter off instagram off

Search

Menu
  • Who We Are
    • About
    • Fishermen
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Fisheries
    • Careers
  • Our Work
    • Policy
    • Programs
    • Cape Cod Fisheries Trust
    • Scientific Research
  • Support Us
    • Donate Now
    • Ways to Give
    • Join the Alliance
    • Fisherman Membership
    • Become a Sponsor
    • Shop to Support
  • The Wheelhouse
    • Seafood by the Seasons
    • Commercial Fishing Grounds
    • Gear Types
    • Think Like A Fisherman
  • Events
    • Hookers Ball
    • Meet the Fleet
    • Special Events
  • News
  • Contact

fisheries policy

Policy

Cape Cod's independent fishermen are a tremendous source of innovation in managing their fisheries. They bring extensive experience on the water and a commitment to the value of good science. Fishermen's Alliance provides a place to problem-solve so they can make their ideas for healthy ecosystems and profitable fisheries a reality.

Herring Buffer Zone

herringphotoHerring and other small schooling fish are crucial to the ocean ecosystem because they provide food for larger fish and marine mammals. Yet vast quantities of these forage fish are removed by large-scale midwater trawlers with detrimental ripple effects.

Cape Cod fishermen are engaged in an ongoing campaign to fight the harmful effects that mid-water trawlers have by removing the forage base from the inshore ecosystem. We want the waters close to the shore to have an abundance of small fish in order to maintain a healthy balance in the foodweb. By creating a year round buffer zone that moves these vessels further off shore, we can protect resources our fishermen bring back to the cape.

Read more about why Cape and Islands fishermen want a buffer zone

More >

Electronic Monitoring

Nick Muto EM 1For over a decade, Fishermen’s Alliance members have been piloting the use of cameras on their fishing vessels, instead of taking human at sea monitors. We currently partner with The Nature Conservancy, the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association, and the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, and fishermen from Northeast Fishery Sectors V & XI, the GB Cod Fixed Gear Sector, the Maine Coast Community Sector, and the Sustainable Harvest Sector, as well as National Marine Fisheries Service staff from GARFO and NEFSC, to develop electronic monitoring in the region. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Nature Conservancy have provided funding that will allow up to 29 groundfish vessels to use EM in fishing year 2018.  

EM documents groundfish discards and verifies fishermen’s logbook data. The project is refining protocols to allow EM to be widely used in the region, as well as developing expanded uses for EM data and providing important fishery statistics. Additionally, we are exploring how 100% EM coverage can provide business flexibility for fishing businesses, like access to closed areas.

More >

Massachusetts Shellfish Initiative

small schoolingLaunched in 2017, the MSI was a first-of-its-kind partnership that brought together the Commonwealth's major shellfish sectors (aquaculture, wild harvest, and restoration), with a mission to maximize the economic, environmental, and social benefits of the State's shellfish resources.

Thanks to a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant, in 2018-19 the MSI will develop a 5 year strategic plan, based on recommendations from a broad range of coastal and shellfish stakeholders. Near shore shellfish resources support robust recreational fisheries in our coastal communities and directly generate over $43 million annually from commercial wild harvest and aquaculture production.  Shellfish also provide significant environmental benefits and contribute to the health of coastal ecosystems. Interest in shellfish has been on the rise in recent years, driving the need for a comprehensive statewide plan that will support continued responsible growth, while improving communication among stakeholders and leveraging ongoing state and municipal efforts.

For more information on how you can comment on the MSI plan, sign up to receive meeting notices and updates here. 

MSI work to date, including extensive stakeholder outreach via public meetings and listening sessions and online survey results, can be viewed here.  

More >

Ecosystem-Based Management

EBFM Fishery PolicyFisheries management is moving in a new direction, and the Fishermen’s Alliance is excited to be partnering with local fishermen and industry leaders to support the new paradigm. The traditional fisheries management strategy has been to focus on each species in isolation, but the new approach that is being embraced across the country is something called Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management.

In this new system, the entirety of an ecosystem - food fish, small schooling fish, predators, other marine life and humans - are taken into account, as are changing climate conditions and environmental factors. It provides opportunities to rebuild habitats and fish populations, diversify fishing businesses and better understand the entirety of the marine environment. 

Check back in the upcoming months to see how you can contribute to this important work.

More >
  • Our Work
    • Policy
    • Programs
      • Pier to Plate
      • Fish for Families
      • Voices from the Wheelhouse
      • Pier Host
    • Cape Cod Fisheries Trust
      • Quota Leasing
      • Revolving Loan Funds
      • Business Planning & Technical Assistance
      • Fish hub
    • Scientific Research
  • Who We Are
    • About
    • Fishermen
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Fisheries
    • Careers
  • Our Work
    • Policy
    • Programs
    • Cape Cod Fisheries Trust
    • Scientific Research
  • Support Us
    • Donate Now
    • Ways to Give
    • Join the Alliance
    • Fisherman Membership
    • Become a Sponsor
    • Shop to Support
  • Events
    • Hookers Ball
    • Meet the Fleet
    • Special Events
  • News

Contact Us

1566 Main Street
Chatham, MA 02633
508-945-2432
Email Us

Copyright Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance, Inc.. | Privacy Policy | Site Credits