Enter the Evaluation Process

Identify the Fishery Client

This is the person(s) who will be the main point of contact and who will lead the fishery through the evaluation process. The Fishery Client can be anyone with an interest in the fishery, such as a Fisher Representative, a Consultant, Producer’s Organisation, Processor, Retailer, NGO or Fishery Manager – there are no restrictions.

2. Identify the Fisher Group

These are the fishers who are identified by the Fishery Client. There are no limits on the size of the Fisher Group, it could be a single fisher or a whole fleet.

3. Enter the Self-Assessment

First, you will set up a profile as a Fishery Client. This will allow you to work, save and re-enter your own area on the Community Catch Platform as many times as you wish. This is free to use and without any obligation.

Then you will begin the Self-Assessment. You will be asked a series of questions to describe your fishery and provide evidence to support your answers. Guidance is available throughout. You can stop and leave at any point.

Guidance on the types of information you will need is available.

When you have completed the Self-Assessment, you can choose to finish or proceed with the formal Evaluation Process.

4. Evaluation Process

All of these stages are operated on the Community Catch Platform.

Firstly, you need to identify a CAB (an accredited independent certification organisation or Conformity Assessment Body). The list of CABs is available here.

The CAB will then conduct their evaluation. They will:

• Announce the evaluation on the Community Catch Website
• Seek additional input from stakeholders on your fishery
• Review the status of your fishery in relation to the Community Catch Standard, based mainly on your self-assessment and any other stakeholder input

The CAB will communicate with you directly, and inform you of their decision through the platform.

Once complete, you will enter a process of ongoing surveillance audits and re-evaluation every 5 years.