Frequently asked questions

Existing fishery certification schemes are often relatively expensive, complex and can require a lot of information. As a result, ‘sustainable’ market recognition is out of reach of many small-scale fishers.

Community Catch is specifically designed for small-scale fisheries and is founded on being Accessible, Affordable and Credible - providing a route to market recognition for fisheries with more limited resources.

Community Catch is open to all small-scale wild capture fisheries. Fisheries may be marine or freshwater and utilise any type of fishing gear (except poisons or dynamite).

Small-scale fisheries that use vessels under 24m AND use passive fishing gear are automatically included.

For fisheries that contain vessels over 24m or use active fishing gear, we assess the scale of operation through a multi-criteria matrix that includes factors such as gear, mechanisation, crew size, fishing range, and ownership.

Our Standard includes both environmental and social components. This provides an opportunity for small-scale fisheries to address, in a single exercise, the questions that buyers are asking of their suppliers, while doing so within a system specifically designed for small-scale fisheries.

Community Catch has been designed from the ground up to be truly accessible to small-scale fisheries (SSF) around the world. At the heart of our process is a free and open-access Self-Assessment Tool, available online to any interested fisher, cooperative, or supporting organization.

This tool allows users to evaluate their fishery against the eight sections of the Community Catch Standard, covering key environmental, social, and operational criteria. It was developed collaboratively with input from global fisheries experts and coded by a highly skilled team, using state-of-the-art technology to ensure ease of use and flexibility.

Community Catch is based on an independent third-party auditing and certification system. Small-scale fisheries entering our evaluation process are audited by Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs).

Community Catch is working towards being benchmarked and recognised by GSSI and will apply for ISEAL membership – these will progress following our official launch in 2025.

Community Catch was developed by a coalition of sustainability experts, small-scale fisheries practitioners, and certification professionals. The development of the standard included extensive consultation with fishing communities, scientists, NGOs, and market actors to ensure that it reflects the realities and strengths of artisanal fisheries.

Yes, please contact info@communitycatch.org or visit www.communitycatch.org

The Community Catch Standard sets out the various social and environmental requirements that fisheries must meet to be recognised within the Community Catch Initiative. It requires demonstrably responsible management of fisher health and safety and labour rights, sustainability of target stocks and wider ecosystems and good fishery management. It also looks to encourage awareness of issues of community development opportunities, animal welfare and climate change as relevant to small-scale fisheries.

It is built to reflect the realities of small-scale fisheries while ensuring it is credible, accessible, and affordable.

Minimum Requirements are the social and environmental thresholds all fisheries must meet to be recognized within the Community Catch Initiative.

Note that some requirements require demonstrable outcomes while others focus on establishing a baseline or gathering critical information to support future improvements.

Fisheries must meet all Target Requirements to achieve full Community Catch Certification. Target Requirements are assessed during evaluation and are the benchmark for certification.

Note that some requirements require demonstrable outcomes while others focus on establishing a baseline or gathering critical information to support future improvements.

If a fishery meets all Minimum Requirements but not all Target Requirements, it will be recognized within Community Catch under a Community Catch Fishery Improvement Plan (CCFIP).

If a fishery does not meet all Minimum Requirements, it will not be recognized but can still use Community Catch’s tools and support to improve and reapply.

Fisheries are recognized in one of two ways:

• Certified: If all Target Requirements are met, the fishery achieves Community Catch Certification. These are issued with a certificate valid for 5 years.
• Recognized under a CCFIP: If all Minimum Requirements are met but not all Target requirements, the fishery enters a Community Catch Fishery Improvement Plan and is publicly recognized for its commitment to continuous improvement.

A CCFIP is a structured improvement plan for fisheries that meet Minimum Requirements but are still working toward achieving all Target Requirements.

CCFIP fisheries are recognized within Community Catch and receive guidance and tools to help close gaps and move toward certification. CCFIPs improvements are evaluated every year through a surveillance audit carried out by a CAB

CCFIPs are identified on the Community Catch website and also on the Fishery Progress website.

The self-assessment is the first step toward evaluation. Fisheries use the Community Catch Self-Assessment tool to review their performance against the Standard's Minimum and Target Requirements.

The completed self-assessment helps identify strengths, gaps, and readiness for certification or recognition. Guidance on completing the self-assessment is provided on the Community Catch website resources page (Evaluation Process document and Guidance document).

Community Catch itself does not charge fisheries for participating in the initiative.

However, fisheries are responsible for the costs associated with hiring an independent Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) to conduct their evaluation. Costs vary depending on the size and complexity of the fishery and should be discussed directly with approved CABs.

There is also an ongoing cost for surveillance audits (CCFIP) and re-assessments every 5 years (Certified Fisheries), but these costs will typically be less than the costs of an initial evaluation.

The fishery can complete the Self-Assessment at their own pace. Only when the self-assessment is complete does the fishery contract a CAB and begin their formal evaluation.

The evaluation includes a mandatory 30 day stakeholder consultation phase and then the time taken by the CAB to audit the self-assessment. We expect this to be a few months in total.

Fishery Clients select an approved Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) from a list of CABs recognised by Community Catch.

Fisheries should contact CABs directly to request proposals, compare costs, and select the best fit for their needs. This can be done via the Digital Platform.

Yes, please contact fisheries@communitycatch.org or visit www.communitycatch.org.

‘Recognised Species’ are the species that the Fishery Client has formally chosen to include in their Community Catch profile. These species are eligible to carry the Community Catch logo and are assessed against the requirements in the Standard. More information on how species qualify, including eligibility criteria and assessment steps, is available in the Standard and Evaluation Process documents.

It is a requirement that each individual or business in the supply chain is a member before they start buying, selling, processing, packing or transporting seafood from a fishery engaged in the Community Catch Initiative.

In order to demonstrate Chain of Custody for any product sourced from a certified or improving Community Catch fishery you will need to be a member of Community Catch.

To be able to make any claim that you are sourcing or selling Community Catch products you must be a member and agree to the terms associated with the use of the logo or on pack statement.

Visit the website for all information on membership fees and benefits - www.communitycatch.org then contact us on: supplychain@communitycatch.org

Yes - In order to demonstrate Chain of Custody for any product sourced from a certified or improving Community Catch fishery you will need to be a member of Community Catch and participate in Chain of Custody verification audits.

Community Catch is committed to making membership accessible and impactful. The fee is paid in the calendar year, categorised based on different tiers, considering the total value of all seafood sales for your company.

For the first year of launch membership rates will be discounted to encourage early adoption of the benefits of membership.

All membership fees are detailed on the website www.communitycatch.org.

You will have recognition on our website for your business as a member of Community Catch, enhancing credibility and trust with consumers and partners

You will have log in access to the Community Catch digital platform. This gives you access to all live Community Catch fishery profiles, fisheries self-assessments, CAB reviews and outcomes and live action plans

You will receive specific ‘member’ information and be able to use ‘Find a Fishery’ through the website to search for all Community Catch fisheries/access fishery information (market profiles)

You will be able to quickly view each fisheries status to identify which are fully certified and which are actively engaged in an improvement programme and working towards meeting the requirements of the Community Catch Standard

No - Community Catch is funded through a membership programme. This is an annual fee charged based on the total seafood turnover of the members business.

A review will be conducted in 2027 to assess the advantages of a logo license or royalties scheme and members will be consulted on this

Funding support is essential to Community Catch in its mission to help small-scale fisheries create market access pathways while improving sustainable practices.

To discuss, please contact us at info@communitycatch.org.

Alongside individuals, we invite businesses, NGOs, and government entities to become funding partners. Whether you are a retailer, processor, distributor, certification expert or a supporter of sustainable fishing and community development, all support is appreciated and welcome.

Our business plan maps out our pathway to sustainability, it is forecast that by 2028 Community Catch will be self-funding based on the projected income from membership and royalty fees from the trade of Community Catch certified seafood.

Contribute to the success of the Initiative and accelerate the adoption of the scheme by fishers and markets

Make a real difference on the ground to fishers and their communities in previously isolated or vulnerable areas

Help create new, equitable and fair global markets for small-scale produced seafood

Contribute to the improved health of a fishery and the community which relies on it.

• The Community Catch’s annual report
• Regular Community Catch newsletters and updates
• Have the opportunity to participate in Community Catch events
• Be part of a global initiative to support small-scale fisheries
• Recognition for your business on the Community Catch website as a funding partner

Join us in making a tangible difference. Your support can ensure the sustainable transformation of the lives of millions of people who depend on small-scale fisheries.

Visit our website at www.communitycatch.org to learn more and become a part of this vital initiative. Together, we can ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for small-scale fishing communities worldwide.