The contributions of seafood to dining deliciousness and corporal well-being are indisputable. In addition to gustatory pleasure and plenty of protein, seafood offers essential nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins that improve brain and heart health and contribute to strong immune systems.
How best to access these benefits becomes a thorny question, though. What you consume and where it comes from, as well as how it is obtained and supplied, are serious concerns in a world market focused on mass production and profit.
Enter the noble Community Supported Fishery (CSF). The maritime version of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), CSFs are rapidly gaining in popularity across Canada.
The logistics
Here’s how it works: subscribers pay a membership fee up-front to receive a share of fresh, local seafood, allowing fishers to invest in their operations throughout the season, knowing they have a guaranteed market.
One of the pre-eminent CSFs is Skipper Otto, a multi-generational family endeavour that supports over 40 fishing families, including Indigenous harvesters. For founders Sonia and Shaun Strobel, it’s not simply a business, but also a passion, commitment, and way of life. “Fishing is woven into the fabric of my family,” declares Shaun. “There’s a deep respect for the ocean, the work, and the responsibility of caring for a place that’s given our family a livelihood for nearly a century.” Sonia adds: “We partner with people whose values align with fairness, stewardship, and community care.”
This emphasis on values of environmental and social responsibility is essential to the core ethos of CSFs. It’s not about soulless product and profit; it’s about sustainability anchored in community. Did you know that Canada exported $9 billion worth of fish and seafood in 2021, while it imported $4.6 billion? Skipper Otto and its fellow fisheries aim to correct that imbalance. “We care deeply about justice, equity, and creating models that show the world we don’t have to accept extractive, inequitable food systems,” Sonia says.
Much-needed industry-wide support for this mission is provided by non-profit organizations such as Local Catch Canada, a “knowledge-sharing and support hub focused on building an equitable, community-based seafood system in Canada.” Also in the mix is the Ecology Action Centre (EAC) in Nova Scotia, addressing the struggles faced by Indigenous fishers. “Our network convenes fishers, harvesters, and small businesses to learn from each other and work through these challenges,” says Christina Callegari, senior coordinator of EAC’s marine program.
Making it happen
To locate a CSF near you:
- Use Local Catch Network’s tool (localcatch.org).
- Become a member.
- Choose your selections.
- Pick them up and enjoy!
The benefits
Sustainability. Transparency. Community engagement. These are the bywords of the CSF movement. As consumers are becoming more aware of the deleterious effects of conventional fishing practices, they are seeking out better options.
The Strobels are happy to explicate how their niche industry can fulfill that need. “We start by sourcing only from small-scale, low-impact harvesters and fisheries with strong science and management behind them,” Sonia explains. “Sustainability isn’t a marketing line for us; it’s the baseline expectation. Transparency is the other half. Our members know exactly which fisher caught their seafood, where, when, and how. But sustainability without transparency is hollow, and transparency without sustainability is misleading. We hold both because people deserve to know the real story of their food.”
Access to the freshest fish for the dinner table is only the beginning—CSFs feed the soul of the community. “Community Supported Fisheries reconnect people to the source of their food and keep more of the economic value in coastal communities,” says Sonia. “For Indigenous harvesters, CSFs can be a tool for economic sovereignty and cultural resurgence. When fishers know they have a committed community behind them, they can plan, fish responsibly, and avoid selling into a commodity system that undervalues their work. That stability strengthens families, supports multigenerational relationships to the water, and helps communities thrive.”
The bottom line
CSFs provide a local, sustainable, and admirable alternative to an inequitable and flawed global commercial system. They offer a way to enhance your well-being and immunity; support your local community; and honour your commitment to the environment, sustainability, and social responsibility.
“When consumers join a CSF, they’re not just buying seafood; they’re investing in healthy oceans, fair livelihoods, Indigenous food sovereignty, and a more resilient future,” Sonia says. Shaun adds: “And it’s delicious. When seafood is caught with care, handled properly, and delivered directly, you can taste the difference. Good food and good values can absolutely coexist.”
Healthy oceans, healthy you
Protect yourself and the denizens of the deep–be sure to use a “reef-safe” sunscreen. And while enjoying the ocean view, safeguard your eyes with 100% UV-blocking sunglasses.
This article was originally published in the April 2026 issue of alive magazine.
