Community Fishing Centers (CFC)
Planning Issues for Development of the Fisheries Industry
Jun 12, 2007
Support of the commercial fishing industry depends on a web of interrelated support infrastructure and business interests. A port with adequate haulout facilities and no related support businesses will attract little interest from vessel operators. The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) describes this web concept as a Community Fishery Center (CFC) where related businesses eventually become a force greater than the sum of their individual enterprises. M. Yami writes in Community Fishery Centres: Guidelines for Establishment and Operations that:
“A CFC is more than just an assembly of stores and workshops. A CFC becomes the focus of the fishing life in the village. It is where the fishermen meet for a chat and a drink, where they can negotiate a loan with the bank or credit-scheme functionary…can get advice from the extensionist (similar to our NOAA Sea Grant Program), congregate and organize into groups and associations, through which they may met and negotiate prices and deliveries with the fish dealers and more…”
Coordination - Not every component of a CFC can occur simultaneously, but planning should be in place to account for all of the components required for successful fishing community. The overarching goal for any project should be to ensure all of the required components work towards making the community an economically successful marine center within its greater region. Studies and concepts too often focus on single projects with singular benefits. Many resources need to be brought together in concert for successful future development. There are seldom functions or activities occurring within the community that are not in some part dependent on another enterprise or activity. A boatlift, for example, may not be a profitable enterprise in itself. However, the economic activity generated by repairs, storage and other maintenance functions would provide a much greater economic benefit to the community than that reflected in the cost of the boat lift.
Components - Required components of a marine center can be grouped into several functional areas like vessel maintenance or community resources. A good planning team would review these functional areas and related components for completeness and identify areas where improvement or establishment of a required service is needed. Land use planning for the uplands associated with a fishing harbor expansion project and these components is vital to success.
Components Required of a Marine Center (CFC):
Vessel Maintenance
- Machine shop
- Medal work and welding (fixed and portable)
- Hydraulic repairs
- Canvas work
- Electrical repair/installation
- Marine surveyors
- Safety equipment certification (life rafts, EPRIB, etc.)
- Certification society representatives (Lloyd’s Register, ABS, Bureau Veritas, etc.)
Vessel Supplies
- Ships stores and chandlers
- Fuel, bunkers and lubes
- Groceries, stores and food
- Ice and water
- Fish Markets
- Fish brokers
- Fish auctions
- Branding and marketing
Fish Handing and Quality Support
- Cold storage facility
- Ice plant and ice storage
- Fish handling equipment
- Transportation for fresh and frozen products
- Hoists
Fish Processing
- Smokeries
- Canneries
- Value added filet or pouch products
- Self-marketing by fishermen
- Fish meal production
- Surimi
- Roe
Upland Infrastructure
- Vessel maintenance pads
- Net lofts
- Net repair racks
- Boat yard
- Used oil and bilgewater disposal
- Dry vessel storage
- Outside gear storage
Moorage
- Protected moorage
- Transient moorage and staging space
Community Services
- Marine and biological science support
- Vocational education
- Hospital and emergency services
- Fire and police protection
- Showers, laundry, restrooms
- Pharmacy
- Restaurants and bars
- Meeting places
- Resource and regulatory agency support
- Environmental response organizations
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