Assigns an individual or other entity access to a predetermined portion of the annual catch in a particular fishery. In some cases, the privilege is transferable and may be bought and sold, creating a market. The term encompasses a range of tools, including access privileges assigned to individuals (i.e. individual transferable quotas (ITQs)), and to groups or communities (e. G. , community development quotas (CDQs), cooperatives, and area-based quotas).