For the last hundred years, fishermen¡¦s associations have played the role of bridging between government and fisheries. The purposes of fishermen¡¦s associations are to assist government in the implementation of fishery policies, to serve fishermen and to improve their lives. Hence, fishermen¡¦s associations have contributed significantly to the construction of fishing villages and the development of the fisheries industry. The founding and development of fishermen¡¦s associations proved to be an extremely difficult undertaking; unfortunately, they failed to respond to the changing environment in time. Finally, fishermen¡¦s associations became less functional, and lost their advantages and past glory. Hence, it is imperative to consider how to improve the organization and management performances of fishermen¡¦s associations via transition and innovation. It is also expected that through strategic alliances and effective integration of resources, the cultural and natural resources of fishing villages will be employed to develop their unique appeal to leisure tourism. For this reason, this research aims to evaluate and analyze the organization, functions and positioning of fishermen¡¦s associations and the problems they are encountering at present. Within the scope of the Fishing Activities Act, this research also aims to explore if fishermen¡¦s associations can increase their revenues and enhance their services by organizational transition and operational innovation. From the literature review, the research finds that fishermen¡¦s associations are encountering the following problems: operations are inflexible and adjustments are slow; there is insufficient research and development; employees are not professional enough; the election process is complex; the fishing industry is declining, and members lack confidence in the associations and their existing values. From empirical case studies, the research finds that associations have uncertain roles and positioning, but they have substantive social functions and meanings. In the future,fishermen¡¦s associations should be directed to develop a leisure fishery industry. To improve the efficiency and service quality of fishermen¡¦s associations, and to assist the associations in launching innovative services, the research initiates the following suggestions. (1) Fishermen¡¦s associations should first define their roles and improve their economic functions. (2) The credit departments of fishermen¡¦s associations are important because they are located in fishing villages and are convenient for fishermen. It is suggested that credit departments should be included in the branches of the Agricultural Bank of Taiwan to integrate existing resources and expand economic scales. (3) It is suggested that the Government should direct the promotion and service sections and that each fishermen¡¦s association should assist. Representatives from the government, industry and academia should meet on an annual basis to systematically compile teaching materials to promote the fisheries and to improve the lives of fishermen. (4) The executive secretary of the fishermen¡¦s association should be elected directly by its members, so that the executive secretary can represent public opinion and fulfill his/her obligations and responsibilities. (5) The associations should be free from political and party intervention to increase the influences of policies. (6) Core resources should be integrated to improve competitiveness. (7) Scholars and experts should visit all fishermen¡¦s associations to diagnose their operation and human resources, and then draft strategies to solve the problems and to develop new business. (8) Fishermen¡¦s associations should fulfill their social responsibilities to help form a brand new image.