This is part 1 of a 4-part series intended to invite conversations in advance of our planned end market demand analysis for groundfish in California. The larger goal is to provide quantified end market data to inform profitable value chain investments that will positively impact harvesters, local communities and the ocean. Read more
Wilderness Markets is pleased to announce the release of our summary findings of a value chain analysis of the West Coast Groundfish fishery in California.
Building off our analysis in New England, Mexico and Indonesia, we sought to understand the value chain dynamics impacting ground fish harvesters in California.
Unlike many of the fisheries we’ve reviewed, the West Coast groundfish fishery in California is a management success. Of the 90 plus species managed by the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan, the management council currently considers only five overfished, and classifies each of these species as “rebuilding.” In 2014, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified 13 trawl-caught species and the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program rated 21 trawl caught species “Green, Best Choice” or “Yellow, Good Alternative.” This is a significant change from 2000 when the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) declared the fishery a national disaster.
Despite this significant ecological progress, fishing and conservation communities continue to share concern about the long-term economic sustainability of the fishery, particularly as the fishermen continue to bear management costs that have increased over the past 5 years. Our assessment identified a number of operational inefficiencies in the value chain that are hurdles to increasing the market value of seafood from this fishery; as long as the product is undervalued, the fisherman will struggle economically.
Wilderness Markets invites eligible market research firms to respond to a Request for Proposals (RFP) intended to develop and improve end market research of the recovered West Coast ground fish fishery in California. The ultimate goal of the research is to improve the economic value of products from this fishery.
With a specific focus on the California ITQ ground fish fishery, the selected firm will be expected to identify and quantify the current key channels of distribution for fishery products by species, and provide insight and recommendations into optimum channels of distribution based on product and species. The nature of this market means that primary research is anticipated.
This research is intended to provide current and new market participants, as well as potential investors, with the needed quantifiable data related to opportunities in the groundfish market in order to make sound investment decisions.
Firms are requested to submit their proposals, detailing their technical approach, timeline and budget based on the RFP by December 18, 2015. Following a selection process, the successful firm is expected to present results by the middle of April 2016.
This work is being developed and implemented with the support of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.
Disclaimer
Participation in this RFP does not constitute an agreement or award, nor does it obligate the organizers to award a contract or to engage any party. The organizers reserve the right to change, modify or cancel this RFP at any time prior to a contract award.
Wilderness Markets West Coast CA Groundfish Market Research RFP Updated Dec 8 2015 circ
