Collaborative Fisheries Research
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....
