"This document aims to clarify the purpose of and requirements for creating Fishing Community (FC ) a nd Regional Fishery Association (RFA ) entities within the context of Limited Access Privilege Programs (LAPPs). Subject to the constraints in the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) and other applicable law, this document provides guidance for Regional Fisher y Management Councils (Councils) and other relevant stakeholders considering the use of FC and RFA entities as a mechanism to distribute fishing privileges to fishing communities. Building off the analysis presented in the NMFS 2007 technical memo The Design and Use of Limited Access Privilege Programs (Anderson and Holliday 2007), proceedings from the January 2011 workshop Catch Shares and Commercial Fishing Communities (NMFS 2011), and case studies from around the country, the material here is intended to help managers and resource users better understand the design elements of FC and RFA entities and how these tools can be used to support community- based objectives in LAPP fisheries. This information may also prove useful to those considering the use of FC- and RFA- like entities, such as permit banks, fishing cooperatives, Community Fishing Associations, 1 and Community Supported Fisheries"--Introduction.

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