In Gloucester, Mass., for example, local fishermen are cutting out the middleman and selling their product directly to hundreds of customers every week. Cape Ann Fresh Catch, organized by The Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Association, the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance, and MIT SeaGrant, delivers a variety of fish to about 750 shareholders living from Jamaica Plain to Gloucester. The CSF is the largest of seven in the northeast region. (Read full article)
And in Winsted, Conn., Litchfield Farms claims to be the first CSF to require that only sustainable harvesting techniques be used. (Read the brochure)
As in community-supported agriculture, where participants pay local farmers for a share of their harvest before the growing season begins, community-supported fisheries connect local fishermen with shareholders willing to pay them upfront for a weekly supply of fish delivered directly to their communities.
Local. Sustainable. Value providing. Now, THAT is what I'm talking about!
As the sampling of articles listed below indicates, CSF is a small but growing way for commercial fishermen to provide high-quality product to local customers at a reasonable price. Local also means a smaller carbon footprint because the fish are not being flown halfway around the planet from God knows what questionable fishery. I can't be sure, but I'm guessing that CSF fish are not shrink-wrapped in ocean-choking plastic, either.
A great deal for the health- and environment-conscious consumer who wants to know where his/her fish is coming from and an opportunity for the commercial fisherman who wants to preserve the source of his livelihood. The only caveat: Local does not necessarily equal sustainable. You'll want to know not only WHERE your fish are caught but HOW. Longlines and trawling are out because they contribute to bycatch and destruction of precious ocean-bottom habitat.
Anyone out there have any experience with CSF? C'mon...share!
Related articles:
Economy of Scales
How the Fishing Industry Is Trying to Stay Alive By Acting Like Small Farmers
Community Supported Fisheries (from Monterey Aquarium "Sea Notes")
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