We provide two membership options and operate three unique sectors tailored to our members’ needs.
Membership options
Active members may harvest fish, or lease their allocations to others with the maximum possible degree of control over the price, timing, and recipient of the quota lease. They have sector rules voting privileges, and are eligible to serve on the sector Board of Directors. Membership dues for active members are $500 per permit enrolled in the sector, plus 0.18 cents per pound for each pound of groundfish ACE attached to a permit (for example, $180 for a permit with 100,000 pounds of ACE).
Inactive members choose to lease their allocations only. They may not harvest groundfish (but are free to participate in other fisheries). Allocations are generally leased via periodic quota auctions where the seller is allowed to set minimum bid prices for their quota, but may not determine the recipient of the allocation. The sector works closely with inactive members to provide quota market advice and maximize revenue. There is no cost to join as an inactive member. Click here for a one-page summary of Inactive membership information.
Our sectors
Sustainable Harvest Sector 1 is primarily geared for vessels which prefer the freedom to harvest anywhere permitted by law throughout New England’s fishing grounds, especially the inshore Gulf of Maine.
Sustainable Harvest Sector 2 is a dedicated lease-only sector for members (active and inactive alike) who are sure they will not engage in harvesting. It provides a degree of legal separation in the very unlikely event of sanctions imposed against an active fishing sector.
Sustainable Harvest Sector 3 vessels agree to not fish west of 70 degrees 00 minutes for the entire fishing year. This measure is primarily intended to help member vessels avoid catch of Gulf of Maine cod. It is a voluntary restriction and may be modified by vote of the membership annually as resource conditions change.