1. What is Michigan Catch & Cook?

Launched in 2012, Michigan Catch & Cook is an effort to promote and encourage creative, yet safe, marketing of Michigan Great Lakes sports fish through a partnership with the charter fishing industry and local restaurants. Michigan Catch & Cook allows charter fishing clients who catch fish from Michigan's Great Lakes an opportunity to take their fresh catch to a participating Michigan restaurant to cook and serve those fish to those clients.

 The following government, industry and academic partners collaborated to develop Michigan Catch & Cook:

• Michigan Charter Boat Association
• Michigan Restaurant Association
• Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development – Food & Dairy Division
• Michigan Department of Natural Resources
• Michigan State University – Department of Fisheries and Wildlife
• Michigan Sea Grant Extension
  
  

2. Does the state agency that regulates food and restaurants approve of the program?

Yes, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development – Food and Dairy Division is a key partner in the program and supports the growth and success of Michigan Catch & Cook on a statewide basis. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has prepared this guidance document - Michigan Catch & Cook Guidance Document (MDARD) under the authority of The Federal 2005 Food Code, §3-201.14(A) states: “Fish that are received for sale or service shall be: (1) Commercially and legally caught or harvested; or (2) Approved for sale or service.” Under the Catch & Cook program, charter fishing clients are approved to have their recreationally caught fish from Michigan waters prepared and served to them by licensed restaurants.

If you are a member of the Michigan Charter Boat Association then the Michigan Catch and Cook logo can be downloaded to use on your website

3. How do charter services register as a Catch & Cook charter?

Michigan licensed charter services may register their charter service by visiting the Add Your Listing page and complete the online registration to Submit A Listing. It is recommended that you have a written description of your boat and a picture or business logo to upload with your listing. If you do not have a picture or logo to upload when you register your charter service, you can come back later to add to your submission.

4. Can I use the Michigan Catch and Cook logo?

If you registered and a member of the Michigan Charter Boat Association then the Michigan Catch and Cook logo can be used on your website. If you are a participating restaurant  you can use the logo. Prior to its use we ask you to email maxine@michigancharterboats.com Please note, no other videos or pictures can be used with out written permission.

5. How do restaurants register as a Catch & Cook charter?

Michigan licensed restaurants may register their restaurant by visiting the Add Your Listing page and complete the online registration to Submit A Listing. It is recommended that you have a written description of your restaurant and a picture or business logo to upload with your listing. If you do not have a picture or logo to upload when you register your restaurant, you can come back later to add to your submission again to make changes.

6. What are the responsibilities of participating charter services and restaurants to ensure fish are safe to cook and to eat?

All charter services and restaurants participating in Michigan Catch & Cook must be licensed to operate in the State of Michigan. Michigan charter captains are United States Coast Guard licensed for the Great Lakes and their charter boats are inspected by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division and required to display a decal indicating they’ve been inspected. For your safety look for that decal since only legally sanctioned charter services can participate in the Michigan Catch & Cook program. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development – Food and Dairy Division determined specific food handling guidelines for charter services and restaurants participating in the Michigan Catch & Cook program. All participants are encouraged to review the Participants Responsibilities page for details.

7. Why should a charter service or restaurant participate in Michigan Catch & Cook?

A significant benefit for captains who register with this program and who refer customers to restaurants is that participating captains are ensuring their customers of their compliance with the Michigan Food Code. The Code states that fish must be “approved” for consumption. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has determined that under the Michigan Catch & Cook program, charter fishing clients are approved to have their recreational caught fish from Michigan waters prepared and served to them by licensed restaurants. Charter services that are not registered with this program do not enjoy that approval status. The Michigan Catch & Cook website is a one-stop, online resource for residents and tourists of the state to locate participating charter services and restaurants. Listing your charter service or restaurant is free, so listing your charter service or restaurant on the Michigan Catch & Cook website is FREE advertising. In its first season of existence, the Michigan Catch & Cook website experienced nearly 11,000 pageviews by in state, out-of-state and international online visitors.