Next-generation fishing communities

Our work in the Community Fisheries Network supports a longtime dream of local fishermen: locally owned and operated working waterfronts where they can sell directly to their community — making real connections and keeping more of the profit in their own pockets. It also gives local people access to sustainable seafood and the opportunity to meet their fishermen.

On San Francisco’s Pier 45, the cooperative San Francisco Community Fishing Association is making waves in the fishing industry.

During salmon season, the co-op moves tens of thousands of pounds of salmon directly into the market — skipping the middlemen and ensuring fair prices for co-op members. Not only are co-op members active in fisheries conservation efforts, but they have delivered healthy profit sharing to members for three years running. Ecotrust is working to implement this business-savvy, stewardship-minded approach of community-based fishing organizations across the country.

Community-based fishermen in San Francisco have started a quiet revolution

Healthy oceans, fair fish

Longtime crab fisherman, Larry Collins, and his wife, Barbara Emley, formed the San Francisco co-op in 2010. They wanted to command better fish prices at the dock to put more money in fishermen’s pockets and develop new dock infrastructure to support independent operators — all while creating a more sustainable fishery that protects fish stocks for future generations.

Collins and Co. are now part of the Community Fisheries Network, a nationwide network convened by Ecotrust and the Island Institute that is helping community fishing organizations shape sustainable businesses, while leading fisheries and marine ecosystem protection and building lasting economic value for coastal communities.

  • grid of fishing photos - fishermen, ropes, fish
    A day in the life of members of the San Francisco Community Fisheries Association—dawn to dusk.
  • A halibut load arrives at dawn at Pier 45.
  • A fisherman prepares today's catch to be packaged at dawn.
    The day begins at dawn for fishermen to prepare today's catch to be delivered.
  • Two fisherman prepare to catch today's fish at dawn.
    The day begins at dawn for fishermen to prepare today's catch to be delivered.
  • A fisherman moves fish from the boat.
    Local Catch prepares fish to be transported.
  • A fisherman packages fish for shipping.
    Today's catch is prepared to be delivered to local vendors and families.
  • Fisherman holds fish in preparation to be transported to local homes and restaurants.
    Local Catch fisherman prepares fish to be transported.
  • A fisherman weighs and packages fish before delivery.
    Today's fish are weighed and packed prior to being delivered locally.
  • Staff fillet and prepare halibut.
    Staff filleting halibut for the weekly share at Sandabs.
  • A halibut is filleted at a restaurant.
    Filleting halibut for the weekly share at Sandabs.
  • Fisherman pack and deliver weekly fish to local restaurants and households.
    Packing and delivering the weekly fish share at Sandabs.
  • A location selling fresh fish writes their special for the day on a chalk board.
    Fish are on the coast to drop off locations at markets, stores, schools, and people's homes.
  • A van with fresh fish is unloaded to be delivered.
    Shares are delivered up and down the Santa Cruz-Monterrey Bay coast to drop off locations at markets, stores, schools, and people's homes.
  • A man gets the local fish out to prepare dinner with his family.
    Fish night with Local Catch members Jack, Dani, Kai, and Jimi Kittinger at their home in Monterey, CA.
  • A young boy and his father use the local fish to prepare dinner together.
    Fish night with Local Catch members Jack, Dani, Kai, and Jimi Kittinger at their home in Monterey, CA.
  • A family and their young child prepare local fish for dinner.
    Fish night with Local Catch members Jack, Dani, Kai, and Jimi Kittinger at their home in Monterey, CA.
  • A young child helps his parents prepare the local fish for dinner.
    Fish night with Local Catch members Jack, Dani, Kai, and Jimi Kittinger at their home in Monterey, CA.
  • A family eats local fish together for dinner.
    Fish night with Local Catch members Jack, Dani, Kai, and Jimi Kittinger at their home in Monterey, CA.

Boat to table

Already, members from Alaska to Maine are pioneering new techniques for direct sales and fisheries conservation, while maintaining access to traditional, cultural uses of coastal resources.

They are also answering consumer’s demand to know who caught their fish and how it was harvested. Around 70 percent of the San Francisco co-op’s product goes into local markets. Learn where you can buy seafood directly from fishermen.