Marketing Alternatives For Fishermen

Markets and market channels for seafood landed by American fishermen are as varied and diverse as the products which flow through them. From small, one-boat operations to highly industrialized fleets, there is a wide range of conditions and problems. Traditionally, however, most fishermen know very little about what happens to the fish beyond the dockside or point of first sale. To some extent, how well fishermen fare as the total fishing/seafood sector of the economy grows and expands depends on the way they are organized to market their product. This publication is intended for leaders at all levels of the seafood industry, marine advisory personnel and public policymakers in related state and federal agencies. Its purpose is to foster discussion and development of a more informed view of the market problems facing fishermen and of the alternative approaches that may be available to them. Grant no. 04-8-M01-169