Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance

What Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance does

Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit advocacy organization founded in 1994 (originally as the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen's Association) and headquartered in Chatham, Massachusetts. The organization represents small-boat commercial fishermen operating across all gear types on Cape Cod — including scallopers, groundfishermen, lobstermen, clam diggers, and shellfish harvesters — providing policy advocacy at local, state, and federal levels, regulatory representation, and community-based programs. Core service offerings include policy advocacy, the Cape Cod Fisheries Trust (the nation's first permit bank, managing $7 million in fishing quota across scallop, groundfish, and ocean quahog species as a $10 million enterprise), a five-course fishermen training curriculum, and community outreach programs including Small Boats Big Taste, Pier Host, and Small Boats Big Science.

The Alliance's technology footprint is limited to operational tools rather than proprietary platforms: environmental sensors mounted on fishing gear for oceanographic data collection, electronic monitoring camera systems on vessels for catch accountability, and a Pier to Plate seafood directory. Revenue is generated through a diversified non-profit model including individual donations, membership dues, event sponsorships (notably the annual Hookers Ball), quota leasing income from the Permit Bank, multi-year foundation grants (including Pew Charitable Trusts), state grants (such as the $40,000 training grant), and an in-progress $2.5 million endowment capital campaign. Direct economic benefits distributed to the community total approximately $1.5 million annually, supporting more than 20 fishing businesses, over 30 vessels, and roughly 100 captains and crew. The organization is led by CEO John Pappalardo (also a New England Fishery Management Council member) with a lean staff of 11-50 employees and key director-level hires in 2024 including Permit Bank Director Ray Rowell.

Name

Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance

Legal name

Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance, Inc.

Website

https://capecodfishermen.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1994 that advocates for Cape Cod's small-boat commercial fishermen through policy representation, the nation's first permit bank ($10M enterprise), training programs, and community outreach supporting 100+ captains and crew.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Fishing Industry Advocacy

NAICS

Fishing (1141)

SIC

Fishing, Hunting And Trapping (900)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

Keywords

• Commercial fishing advocacy
• Fishing quota management
• Fishermen training programs
• Marine policy advocacy
• Fishing community support

Headquarters

HQ city

Chatham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, online store purchases, and general fundraising efforts from supporters of Cape Cod commercial fishing
2. Membership Dues: Membership program for fishermen and community supporters
3. Endowment Campaign: $2.5 million endowment capital campaign 'Charting Our Course for the Future' to ensure long-term professional representation for fishermen
4. Quota Leasing Revenue: Revenue from leasing fishing quota to local fishermen at reduced rates through the Cape Cod Fisheries Trust
5. Event Sponsorships: Sponsorship revenue from events including Hookers Ball and other community events
6. Policy & Advocacy Endowment: Designated endowment fund for ongoing policy and advocacy work

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit advocacy organization that safeguards the ecosystem and future of Cape Cod's commercial fishing businesses. Its core offerings include operating the nation's first permit bank (Cape Cod Fisheries Trust) that leases fishing quota to local fishermen at affordable rates, providing policy and regulatory advocacy at local/state/federal levels, delivering a five-course fishermen training curriculum, and running cooperative research and community outreach programs including Small Boats Big Science and Pier Host.

Product overview

Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance is a non-profit organization offering a portfolio of advocacy, economic, and educational services rather than a technology product. The core offerings include Policy & Advocacy representing fishermen at government levels, the Cape Cod Fisheries Trust (permit bank) managing $7 million in fishing quota, Fishermen Training programs with certification courses, and community outreach through programs like Small Boats Big Taste, Small Boats Big Science, and Pier Host. Additional services include the monthly eMagazine publication, events (Meet the Fleet, Hookers Ball), the Pier to Plate seafood directory, and membership programs. The organization also operates a Permit Bank enterprise managing fishing quota access for the community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cape Cod Fisheries Trust: The permit bank program that owns and manages fishing quota (scallop, groundfish, ocean quahog) for the benefit of Cape Cod fishermen, leasing access at reduced rates.
• Small Boats, Big Taste
• Hookers Ball
• Meet the Fleet

Products and services

• Cape Cod Fisheries Trust (Permit Bank) The nation's first permit bank, owning $7 million in scallop, groundfish, and ocean quahog fishing rights and leasing quota to local Cape Cod fishermen at reduced rates to retain local access to fishing resources. Operates as a $10 million enterprise supporting over 20 fishing businesses and 100+ captains and crew annually.
• Policy & Advocacy Advocacy services representing Cape Cod commercial fishermen at local, state, and federal levels on fishing regulations, quota management, and environmental policy. Includes active campaigns on floating offshore wind, positions and letters on regulatory issues, and tracking of achievements.
• Fishermen Training Program Five-course curriculum covering boating safety, first aid, CPR, survival training, commercial fishing fundamentals, and hands-on fish handling and deck safety for new crew members entering the commercial fishing industry. Funded by a $40,000 state grant.
• Small Boats Big Science Collaborative research initiative where fishermen collect environmental data using sensors mounted on their fishing gear to contribute to scientific understanding of ocean conditions including low oxygen areas in Cape Cod Bay. Part of the Future Fisheries Alliance with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
• Pier to Plate Local Seafood Directory Directory of local seafood sources from Cape Cod fishermen connecting consumers with locally caught seafood vendors.

Quantifiable outcome

• $1.5 million in direct economic benefits annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional, minor and national.

• Catch TogethercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010National organization founded by former Fishermen's Alliance Executive Director Paul Parker. Invests capital to support fishermen, fishing communities and ocean conservation. Helps establish more permit banks tailored to community needs worldwide. Parker traveled to London and British Columbia to help set up permit banks based on the Cape Cod model.
• Martha's Vineyard Preservation TrustregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssisted by Catch Together to purchase sea scallop quota, helping preserve the last remaining sea scallop fisherman on Martha's Vineyard and provide incentive for more fishermen to enter the fishery.
• Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Quota Bank / Gulf of Mexico Shareholder's AllianceregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatch Together helped establish this quota bank which reduces discards, keeps fishermen on the water, and builds another generation of leaders. The only program of its kind from Texas to Florida, in operation for over six years.
• Community Development PartnershipregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks with Fishermen's Alliance on economic development initiatives, including helping scallopers lease quota at affordable rates and working on programs to support local fishing businesses.
• Whole Foods MarketminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Captain Eric Hesse to bring fresh local fish into Whole Foods supermarkets and introduce consumers to the fishermen who caught it.
• Blue Economy FoundationregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerFishermen's Alliance is a founding member of the Cape's Blue Economy Foundation. Co-organizes the annual Big Blue conference with Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce and Cape Cod Climate Collaborative.
• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research partnership as part of the Future Fisheries Alliance, leveraging latest technologies, real-time data, and climate models to help fishermen adapt to changing ecosystems.
• Woods Hole Sea GrantregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for fishermen training and educational programs, including introducing eMOLT curriculum into classrooms.
• Seafood Harvesters of AmericanationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization representing U.S. commercial seafood industry. Fishermen's Alliance Policy Director serves as nominee for New England Fishery Management Council and participated in national policy forum.
• Fishing Communities CoalitionnationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of fishing organizations that met with newly created Office of Seafood under the Trump administration to discuss how USDA could support fishermen.
• Net Your ProblemregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerGear recycling company that started in Alaska and expanded to Massachusetts through Caitlin Townsend's efforts. Recycles end-of-life fishing gear into plastic pellets for products like sunglasses and board shorts. Has recycled over two million pounds of gear.
• ARC (Shellfish Hatchery in Dennis)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerShellfish hatchery that treats clean water, applied science, food production, and local economic life as part of one system. Cited as example of holistic approach to coastal management.
• New England Fishery Management CouncilregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEO John Pappalardo serves as member of the Council, which recommends policy to NOAA Fisheries. Organization actively participates in Council meetings and policy discussions.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FishAlliance
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@fishermensalliance
• Facebookfacebook.com/FishermensAlliance
• Instagraminstagram.com/fishalliance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance