Most fisheries around the world are poorly managed due to a combination of overfishing, weak regulatory frameworks, lack of enforcement, and unsustainable fishing practices. Industrial-scale operations often prioritize short-term profits over long-term sustainability, leading to depleted fish populations and damaged marine ecosystems. Many fisheries lack effective monitoring and data collection, making it difficult to enforce catch limits and prevent illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. In some regions, weak governance and corruption exacerbate the problem, allowing destructive practices like bottom trawling and bycatch-heavy fishing methods to persist. Additionally, global seafood supply chains are complex, making it challenging to trace the origin of fish and ensure responsible harvesting.
In the face of that grim outlook, well-managed small-scale fisheries and science-driven regulations offer reason for optimism. By supporting small-scale, responsible fisheries, we can help protect wild fish populations for future generations while maintaining sustainable seafood supplies.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that small-scale fisheries make up 90% of the world’s fishing fleet and supply over half of all seafood consumed globally. Small-scale fisheries operate at a local or regional level, often using traditional, low-impact fishing methods rather than industrial-scale trawlers or large corporate fleets. These independent fishermen typically work from small boats, use gear that reduces bycatch (unintended fish capture), and harvest at sustainable levels, making their operations both environmentally and economically viable.
Trawling involves dragging massive nets along the ocean floor (bottom trawling) or through the water column (midwater trawling), indiscriminately catching large quantities of fish and non-target species, including juvenile fish, endangered marine life, and other important ecosystem species. According to the FAO, trawl fisheries account for a majority of global bycatch, with some fisheries discarding more than 40% of their catch. Additionally, bottom trawling physically destroys critical marine habitats, such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, and sponge communities, which serve as essential breeding and nursery grounds for many fish species. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates that bottom trawling disturbs up to 50 million square kilometers of the seafloor annually, contributing to biodiversity loss and long-term ecosystem damage. Furthermore, large-scale trawl fleets often contribute to overfishing, as they can deplete fish populations faster than they can naturally reproduce, particularly in poorly regulated fisheries. In contrast, small-scale, low-impact fisheries that use selective gear like traps, hook and line, and jigs have minimal bycatch, protect habitats, and maintain healthier fish stocks.
At Sitka Seafood Market, we proudly source our seafood from these U.S. small-scale fisheries, ensuring that every catch supports sustainability, quality, and the hardworking individuals who depend on the ocean for their livelihoods. They are our family members, our neighbors, our kid’s soccer friend’s parents, or the fish-friends from around the U.S. that show up at Slow Fish and belong to the Local Catch Network. But what exactly makes small-scale fisheries so important? Let’s explore the science, policies, and people behind America’s most responsible seafood.
Case Study 1: The Pacific Halibut Small-Scale Longline Fishery
One of the best examples of a well-managed, low-impact U.S. fishery is the Pacific halibut small-scale longline fishery. Unlike large-scale commercial fleets that use trawl nets, small-scale halibut fishermen use longlines with carefully designed hooks and gear that significantly reduce bycatch.
How Small-Scale Halibut Fishermen Reduce Bycatch and Protect Ocean Health
The Pacific halibut fishery is widely recognized as one of the best-managed fisheries in the world, thanks to science-backed regulations and conservation-minded fishing practices. Small-scale halibut fishermen follow strict bycatch reduction techniques, ensuring they only harvest targeted fish while protecting other marine species.
These techniques include:
✅ Circle Hooks & Large Hook Sizes – Prevent unintended catches of juvenile halibut, rockfish, and sharks.
✅ Weighted Longlines – Keep baited hooks near the seafloor, reducing interactions with seabirds like albatrosses.
✅ Streamer Lines – Bright-colored ropes that scare seabirds away from baited hooks.
✅ Reduced Soak Times – Minimize stress and injury to non-target species, increasing their survival if released.
✅ Seasonal Closures & Restricted Areas – Protect critical fish habitats and spawning grounds from overfishing.
✅ Individual Fishing Quotas (IFQs) – Limit each fishermen’s total catch, preventing overharvesting and reducing waste.
✅ Live Release & Descending Devices – Ensure that incidentally-caught rockfish and other species can survive after being released.
Because of these responsible fishing methods, the Pacific halibut population remains stable and well-managed, making it a prime example of how small-scale fisheries can balance economic success with environmental responsibility.
At Sitka Seafood Market, we are proud to source halibut from this small-scale fishery in Southeast Alaska, ensuring that every halibut fillet you enjoy is harvested with care, sustainability, and conservation in mind.
Case Study 2: The Kodiak Rockfish Small-Scale Jig Fishery
The Kodiak jig fishery is a prime example of a small-scale fishery making a significant impact. Using simple jig gear — manually operated hooks and lines — this fleet targets rockfish in a way that minimizes environmental damage. Unlike large trawl fisheries, jig fishing has minimal bycatch and doesn’t disturb the seabed, protecting sensitive marine habitats.
We asked Theresa Peterson, small-scale Kodiak fishermen and Fisheries Policy Director with the Alaska Marine Conservation Council, why small-scale fisheries are vital to the health of wild fisheries. This is what she said:
“Small-scale fisheries such as the jig fishery are vital to the health of wild fisheries in a variety of ways. Not only are the fishermen choosing to use a harvesting technique with minimal habitat impacts, but the selective gear type primarily catches the target species, resulting in minimal impact on other species. Most of the operators are community-based fishermen who depend on the health of wild fisheries, and they support fisheries management policies that safeguard the future of the wild-caught species they are dependent on. I've seen small-scale fishermen come before management bodies numerous times and ask for increased regulatory measures for the long-term health of the fishery's resources.”
According to the FAO, the Kodiak jig fishery provides essential economic opportunities for small-scale fishermen who might otherwise be excluded from larger, capital-intensive fisheries. This fishery has relatively low barriers to entry — requiring less investment in gear and vessels — which makes it accessible for independent fishermen. Many of these fishermen live in rural communities where access to economic opportunities is limited, making the jig fishery a lifeline for their livelihoods.
Sustainability characteristics of the Kodiak jig fishery include:
✅ No Ghost Fishing: Jig gear is actively tended, meaning fishermen only deploy and retrieve gear while fishing, preventing abandoned fishing gear from harming marine life.
✅Low Bycatch Rates & Easy Live Release - Bycatch in jig fisheries is exceptionally low compared to trawl fisheries. And if a non-target fish is caught, it can be quickly released alive with minimal handling stress. This prevents waste and promotes survival of non-target species.
✅ Minimal Seafloor Impact - Jig gear does not touch the ocean floor, unlike bottom trawls that disturb marine ecosystems. This prevents damage to coral, sponges, and benthic habitats that are critical for fish spawning and biodiversity, protecting sensitive marine habitats.
✅Selective Fishing with Jig Gear - Jig gear targets specific species, reducing unintended catch by using single-hook or multiple-hook vertical lines to catch rockfish.
For Sitka Seafood Market, sourcing from the Kodiak jig fleet is more than just supporting sustainable practices — it’s about preserving the tradition of independent fishing and strengthening local economies. By purchasing from jig fishermen, like Ryan, Darius, and Glenn, we ensure that they can continue to thrive while maintaining their environmentally friendly practices.
How You Can Help Support Sustainable Small-Scale Wild Fisheries
Supporting small-scale fisheries is easier than you think. Here’s how you can make a difference:
- Buy from Trusted Sources – Choose seafood from companies like Sitka Seafood Market that source from small-scale fishermen committed to sustainability.
- Stay Informed – Learn about the seafood you eat, where it comes from, and how it’s caught.
Small-scale fisheries are the backbone of the U.S. seafood industry. They safeguard ocean ecosystems, provide high-quality seafood, and support coastal communities. At Sitka Seafood Market, we’re committed to sourcing from these responsible fishermen and fisheries, ensuring that every catch supports sustainability, ethical fishing, and the hardworking people who bring seafood to your plate.
By choosing seafood from small-scale U.S. fisheries and Sitka Seafood Market, you’re not just making a better choice for the planet—you’re making a better choice for the people behind every catch.
Sources:
- https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/35ac0bca-6e2e-45de-98ff-cf77fb071cc3/content
- https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/35ac0bca-6e2e-45de-98ff-cf77fb071cc3/content
