The evolution of collaborative management in the Northeast USA tilefish fishery

This paper explores the evolution of collaborative management in the Northeast, US Tilefish fishery. Through proactive participation in the fisheries management process along with their own internal agreements, the Montauk Tilefish Association members have stopped racing to fish and have become resource managers themselves. This paper explores how social networks and trust has helped this group create a management regime that reduces the race to fish, improves safety at sea and provides a more stable and fresh supply of fish to the market. It also examines the role of the council process and policies in the evolution of this collaborative management regime.