Catch Shares in Action: United States Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Program

• Main Authors: Jos Hill, Karly McIlwain
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: Environmental Defense Fund 2013
• Subjects: Agriculture and Food; Animal Welfare; Community and Economic Development; Bering Sea; Alaska; Aleutian Islands
• Online Access: https://issuelab.org/resources/22788/22788.pdf; https://issuelab.org/permalink/resource/22788

The Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Crab Rationalization Program (the Rationalization Program) was designed to improve resource conservation, operating efficiency and fishermen's safety while maintaining participation by remote communities. A number of important features account for the diverse natures of stakeholders and the fishery's historical importance to many communities. These include: a unique three-pie approach that defines and assigns different types of privileges to vessel owners, crew and processors; an industry-funded, government-operated loan program to assist new entrants and crew; and voluntary Cooperatives that assist in program administration and fishing coordination.