California Small Fisheries Business Technical Assistance Toolkit

The Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust recently released the California Small Fisheries Business Technical Assistance Toolkit in partnership with California FarmLink. This document provides a foundation for how fisheries lenders can structure and offer TA services for fisheries businesses and potential borrowers—and it includes many resources to support fishing business planning and management. It includes the following topics:

  • Fishery Stock and Ecosystem Status Assessment

  • Fishery Management, Regulations, and Permits

  • Markets, Marketing, and Buyers

  • Major Costs: Vessel, Equipment, and Fuel

  • Employees, Business Partners, and Business Types

  • Insurance

  • Business Planning and Financial Management

  • Succession Planning and Exit Strategy

  • Triple Bottom Line Sustainability: Environmental, Social, and Economic

  • Summary Borrower Checklist

  • Port and Harbor Regulations

The Toolkit was created through collaborative research, guidance from industry experts, and conversations with fishermen and community organizations. This is a living document, which we plan to adapt as new information comes in—any and all feedback is welcome.

Read the full Technical Assistance Toolkit here.

Nick Rahaim