Collaborative Fisheries Research
UNH Cooperative Extension Partners with UNH Graduate Student: Documenting the collapse of the New England groundfishing industry through stakeholder interviews
The
groundfish fishery in New England has experienced significant social, economic and ecological transformations over
the past 20 years. The documentation of these changes includes facts and perceptions, both of which are important.
Regardless of whether you are a fisherman, manager, scientist, or enforcement officer, your experiences will help
illuminate the complex socio-ecological interactions that have taken place during this period. Your interviews will
offer us a glimpse into your lives, work, families, and communities. This project is even more important and timely
given the future use of catch shares and closures. To participate in this research project or for more information
visit www.tinyurl.com/NEgroundfish
The Innovative Fisherman
Following the dramatic decline in Gulf of Maine and George’s Bank fish stocks during the early 1990s, fishermen now face a daunting list of regulations that dictates the gear they can use, the number of days they can fish, and even how much fish they can land. To combat these limitations and preserve fishing as a means to make a living, many fishermen have evolved into innovative collaborators withuniversityscientists all along the NewEngland coastline.
Two
organizations have been critical in supporting and building capacity for cooperative research in the Gulf of Maine,
The Northeast Consortium based at the University of New Hampshire and the
NOAA Northeast Cooperative Research Partners Program. These two organizations
are responsible for funding almost all of the cooperative research projects within the northeast. The NortheastConsortium funds a
broad scope of projects, ranging from oceanographic monitoring to fishing gear conservation engineering. The organization
was established in 1999 to encourage and fund effective, equal partnerships among commercial fishermen, scientists, and other
stakeholders and to engage in cooperative research and monitoring projects in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank.
The NEC consists of four research institutions; the University of New Hampshire, University of Maine, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, all which work together to foster this initiative.
The NOAA Northeast Cooperative Research Partners Program was formed to support and promote collaborative research among New
England's commercial fishing industry, marine science and fishery management communities. The NOAA group focuses on research
questions identified by management agencies. The information is then used to enhance the data on which fishery management
decisions are made, which in turn fosters trust between industry and management. Since 2000, these programs have supported more
than 200 cooperative research projects totaling more than $25 million. 
ABOUT THESE PAGES.....
These pages have been created to highlight cooperative fisheries research not only at UNH but conducted throughout the Northeast. The objective is to present fisheries scientists and other fisheries user groups with a sample of the types of cooperative research projects that are taking place and to help make connections among investigators interested in collaborative research. Use the links below to learn more about specific highlighted projects. Also visit the NH Sea Grant Northeast Cooperative Fisheries Research web site for additional information on collaborative research.
PARTNERSHIPS IN FOCUS....
