Frequently Asked Questions

Fisheries are places where fish are caught for commercial, recreational, or subsistence purposes. They can be in oceans, rivers, or lakes and are usually focused on specific fish species. Fisheries include the fishermen, boats, and gear used to catch fish, as well as the rules that manage how fishing is done.

Fisheries are regulated by government agencies that manage fish populations, protect ocean ecosystems, and ensure long-term sustainability. In the U.S., these rules are typically set by federal and regional bodies like NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and regional fishery management councils, which include scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders from the fishing industry.

A fishing quota is a system used to regulate how much fish can be caught within a specific fishery to prevent overharvesting. Each year, fisheries managers set a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for different fish species based on scientific assessments of population health. This total is then divided into quotas, which are allocated to individual fishermen, fishing companies, or communities. Quotas may be assigned as a set weight limit (e.g., pounds or metric tons) or as a percentage of the total allowable catch. This system helps control fishing pressure and supports long-term sustainability.

Catch Together primarily supports small-scale and community-based fisheries that operate under Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) systems. These fisheries include species such as groundfish, shellfish, and other commercially important stocks. By working within IFQ programs, Catch Together helps fishermen access quota, sustain their businesses, and strengthen local economies.

Investing in quota carries risks such as stock fluctuations from environmental changes, regulatory shifts affecting quota values or allocations, and market price volatility. We mitigate these risks through a diverse portfolio, including Gulf of Mexico red snapper and red grouper; New England scallop and groundfish (haddock, cod, pollock, flounders, monkfish, and more); and Alaska sablefish and halibut, reducing reliance on any single fishery and strengthening long-term resilience.

Quota leasing allows fishermen to access fishing quota without having to buy it outright. A quota holder leases quota for a season or set period and collects lease income. While this can lower barriers to entry, the traditional rental model often extracts wealth — fishermen pay but have no role in how that money is used.

Catch Together’s model is different. We acquire quota and place it into community-based cooperative structures, so lease revenue is reinvested locally rather than extracted. This means fishermen not only gain access to scarce quota but also share in the benefits, building connection, ownership, and long-term community wealth.