In response to the current need for increased dialogue and learning about catch shares, the Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Meridian Institute hosted a two-day workshop on socio-economic considerations related to the shift toward catch shares management of New England fisheries.

The workshop was held in Beverly, Massachusetts and brought together New England fishermen, scientists, managers, and non-governmental organizations that are working to design the socio-economic elements of catch shares with their counterparts from the North Pacific, Pacific, and Gulf of Mexico regions, as well as Atlantic Canada and British Columbia.

This mix of participants provided an opportunity to:

• identify and discuss socio-economic considerations stakeholders believe should be addressed in the design of catch shares systems;
  
• learn about the objectives, design mechanisms, achievements and challenges of existing catch shares programs; and
  
• identify potential design elements for catch shares in New England that warrant further discussion by stakeholders and decision makers.
  
  The workshop has been summarized in a Final Report.