Creating a Direct Connection Between Fishermen and Consumers Presented by Anna Child June 15,2011

Objectives Background on North Carolina commercial fishing industry Idea behind the community supported fishery (CSF) model How business works, successes, challenges, future Ideas for model to be applied internationally

130 km of coastline Harker’s Island area nicknamed “Downeast”

History of North Carolina Coast For nearly 400 years, fishermen have worked on the water, built boats and nets, and sold seafood along the coast Fishermen can trace their fishing heritage back four or five generations Some traditional fishing methods still used

Species Caught in NC In-Shore Off-Shore Clams Oysters Blue Crabs Shrimp Flounder Bluefish Jumping Mullet Red Drum Black Drum Croaker Spot Sheephead Spotted Trout Yellowfin Tuna Grouper Triggerfish Black Sea Bass Striped Sea Bass Mahi-Mahi Pompano Snapper Tilefish King Mackerel

Challenges Facing the Coast Decline from the 1990s Fishing communities struggle to maintain a viable fishing industry Collection of events and conditions make it extremely difficult for local commercial fishermen to sustain a livelihood

Causes of Decline Influx of less expensive seafood from abroad From 2000 to 2005: 40% decline in dollar value of seafood landed, from $108 million to $64 million (NCDMF, 2006) 90% of shrimp found in the US market are imports From 1997 to 2002: wholesale prices of shrimp fell ~40% (Fritsch, 2004)

Causes of Decline Increased regulations on fishing techniques, amount, species and by-catch Can give foreign competitors an advantage Tensions between recreational and commercial fishermen

Causes of Decline Increased population growth and development from tourism industry High fuel costs mean that cost of production > profit Runoff from fertilizers, pesticides and wastes from agricultural industry

Market Challenges Most fishermen sell to the fish house Offer services such as ice machines, coolers, fuel, mechanics In the 1980s, >20 fish houses in operation. In 2011, four fish houses operate Downeast

Impact From 1999 to 2006, more than 1000 fishermen have stopped working as commercial fishermen, >50% decrease (NCDMF, 2006) Decline in both total landings and dollar values of seafood

North Carolina Total Landings (NCDMF, 2007) However, increase in demand for seafood in the US.

Consumer Demand for Local 295 consumers surveyed in NC, 89% said it was important that seafood they eat in NC be local. 83% responded they were willing to pay more. Why? 31% taste 30% supporting a local economy 15% personal health 15% supporting the local environment 9% misc Andreatta & Parlier, 2010

Local, Direct Sales New strategy borrowed directly from the U.S. small- scale farmers Farmers face similar trends, turned to selling directly to obtain a higher price

Local, Direct Sales Farmers created community supported agriculture (CSA) shares that functions as a buy-in club Consumers or “shareholders” pay the farmer for a share of the harvest in advance For farmer, payment covers seasonal start-up production costs For consumer, get a regular share of fresh produce during production season Model has now been adapted for fish

Community Supported Fishery (CSF) Shares Prepayment is the shareholder’s investment in “their” fishermen Variety of fish species are provided on a seasonal basis Fishermen are able to sell their products at a premium

CSF Businesses First CSFs established in Maine and Massachusetts Now, twenty total in the U.S. Gaining significant media coverage

Core Sound Seafood Established in March 2010 First season from June-August 2010, subsequent seasons in fall of 2010 and spring of 2011 Drop off 4 hrs from coast

Share Options Weekly Bi-weekly Full Share (1.8kg) enough for a family for 1-2 meals 310 euro for 10 deliveries Half Share (.9kg) enough for a couple for 1-2 meals 155 euro for 10 deliveries Full Share (1.8 kg) enough for a family for 1-2 meals 155 euro for 10 deliveries Half Share (.9kg) enough for a couple for 1-2 meals 78 euro for 10 deliveries Also provide a weekly detailing what is in share, who caught it and how, cultural history, how weather impacts fishing and suggested recipes

Example of Seafood Provided Spring 2011 Season Week 1: Flounder & Shrimp Week 2: Bluefish & Scallops Week 3: Jumping Mullet & Clams Week 4: Flounder & Shrimp Week 5: Pink Snapper & Soft Shell Crabs Week 6: Spanish Mackerel & Shrimp Week 7: Crabmeat & Clams Week 8: Flounder & Blue Crabs Week 9: Spanish Mackerel & Soft Shell Crabs Week 10: Black Sea Bass & Crabmeat =Biweekly

Successes on Supply Side Consistently bought from five Downeast fishermen, total fifteen On average, pay fishermen 30% more than fish house Guaranteed market for a portion of catch before they catch it Downeast Fund

Successes on Consumer End Grown from one drop off location to three Grown from 100 shareholders to 200 Beginning to sell to wholesale markets Shareholders learning about new fish species, seasonality in seafood, enjoy supporting local “The newsletter and recipes are great and I especially love knowing a bit of background about who caught the share, what the weather was like, etc. It's great being so tied to the whims of the weather and seeing how that impacts fishing. Definitely makes me more aware of my food.”

Challenges At times, difficult to fill shares Difficult to work with same fishermen consistently Working with consumer assumptions around sustainable fishing Offering enough variety High fuel price Need more shareholders

Future Plans Offering a fall share in September Partnered with NGO to donate leftover fish Connection with farmers to bring local produce back to coast

Ideas for Model to be Applied Internationally? Must have access to high income market willing to pay premium price Work with existing fishing cooperative organizations in developing countries with a focus on marketing, investment in infrastructure and compliance to quality/safety regulations Possibility for N. African CSF to nearby European markets? Work with artisanal fishermen groups in Europe to form CSFs?

Andreatta & Parlier 2010 The Political Ecology of Small-Scale Commercial Fishermen in Carteret County, North Carolina. Human Organization (Mobile, AL) Summer Fritsch, Peter 2004 As Shrimp Industry Thrives in Vietnam, Trade Fight Looms. The Wall Street Journal (New York), October 21. URL: (March 15, 2011). North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) 2006 North Carolina License and Statistics Section. Summary Statistics. URL: (March 15,2011). North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) 2006 Fish Dealer Report. License and Statistics Section. URL: (March 15,2011) Works Cited

“...the small-scale sector can be expected to remain the backbone of the fishery sector in many if not most developing countries for many years to come. It is therefore all the more necessary that institutional changes are implemented to ensure the sustainability of the sector as well as safeguarding its important contribution to local food security, to economic development, to generation of employment and income and as a supplier of safe, nutritious, wholesome fish and fishery products to domestic and international consumers.” Committee on Fisheries, Sub-Committee on Fisheries Bremen, Germany, February 2004: Issues of Access of Small-Scale Fisheries Catch to International Trade