Our session will explore the complex challenges of individual ownership of a natural resource (fishing permits/quota) and the identity, heritage, and community ties in our coastal communities to these fishing rights.
We will shed light on the struggles faced by indigenous Alaskans who have over time lost up to 100% of their commercial fishing permits in certain communities leading to in some cases the only viable option for employment being taken away. This lack of access threatens not just livelihoods, but cultural heritage itself which is why now is the time to talk about this before more communities lose access.
Our discussion will challenge conventional notions of ownership, advocating for a paradigm shift towards community stewardship of fishing rights. By examining case studies from Alaska and beyond, we will uncover the potential for community-owned fishery cooperatives and community quota entities (CQE’s) to revitalize coastal economies and safeguard cultural legacies.
The fishing industry is complex and varies not only from country to country but from coast to coast, but we believe there are lessons to be learned from each other.
If we want our coastal communities to survive, we need to reimagine the ownership economy of our natural resources now.
