How has the "catch shares" system benefited U.S. fishermen?

The catch shares system has allowed U.S. fishermen to catch as much as they want on any given day while reducing their overall seasonal catch, enabling them to make fewer trips and dramatically cut fuel costs. This has led to an 80% reduction in costs and a 100% increase in profits for fishermen like Buddy Guindon in the Gulf of Mexico.

What is the current state of U.S. fisheries compared to the past?

According to the article, more than 50 U.S. fish stocks have bounced back from disaster or are on track to do so as of 2025. For example, there are now three times more red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico than in 2009, and stocks of adult yellowtail flounder off Cape Cod have jumped from 218 metric tons in 2006 to 3,800 metric tons in 2020.

Home / Environment / Catch Shares System Revives U.S. Fisheries, Boosts Profits

Catch Shares System Revives U.S. Fisheries, Boosts Profits

Q: How has the recovery of U.S. fisheries impacted the fishing industry?

The recovery of U.S. fisheries has led to a glut of American seafood, prompting calls for consumers and the restaurant industry to "Buy American" and support sustainable, locally sourced seafood. Additionally, U.S. commercial fishing jobs have grown 38% between 2011 and 2022 as a result of the fisheries' turnaround.

7 Nov

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Summary

Fisheries recovered faster than expected under new catch shares system
Commercial fishing jobs grew 38% between 2011 and 2022
Fishermen now earn more while catching less, thanks to reduced costs

In a remarkable turnaround, U.S. fisheries have recovered from the brink of collapse thanks to an unlikely alliance between commercial fishermen and environmental activists. As of November 2025, more than 50 U.S. fish stocks have bounced back or are on track to do so, with three times more red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico than in 2009 and a dramatic increase in adult yellowtail flounder off Cape Cod.

The key to this transformation has been the implementation of a "catch shares" system, which has provided fishermen with an economic incentive to be conservationists. By allowing them to catch as much as they want on any given day while reducing their overall seasonal catch, the system has enabled fishermen to make fewer trips, dramatically cutting fuel costs. U.S. commercial fishing jobs have grown 38% between 2011 and 2022 as a result.

Buddy Guindon, a commercial fisherman in the Gulf of Mexico, was initially skeptical of the catch shares system but has since become an evangelist for it, citing an 80% reduction in costs and a 100% increase in profits. The recovery of U.S. fisheries has also led to a glut of American seafood, prompting calls for consumers and the restaurant industry to "Buy American" and support sustainable, locally sourced seafood.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.