Modeled after Community Supported Agriculture, Community Supported Fisheries are a cooperative relationship between local fishermen and consumers where participants pay in advance for a share of a fisherman’s catch.
The fisherman has the advantage of financial support and a guaranteed market. In return, “shareholders” receive fresh seafood direct from the source.
CSFs offer greater transparency in seafood sources and fishing practices, a way to support traditional fishing communities, a positive collaboration between buyer and seller, and a deeper development of community food networks.
The Gainesville CSF
Gainesville Fish is a citizen group working to establish a Community Supported Fishery in the Gainesville, FL area. The group is exploring options for locally sourced, fresh caught seafood from North Central Florida coastal counties.
Individuals interested in participating in the founding process are welcome.
E-mail gainesvillefish@gmail.com for questions, comments, or to be added to our listserve.
