Marine Fisheries
Title:	NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center's Cooperative Research Program
Author(s):	Earl Meredith, Cheryl Corbett, Ryan Silva, Paul Perra, NOAA Fisheries- NEFSC Cooperative Research
Date:	Monday, April 26, 2010
Time:	1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Room:	Salon B
Abstract: The NEFSC Northeast Cooperative Research Program (NCRP) serves to enhance the data upon which Federal fishery management decisions are made, as well as to facilitate better communication and collaboration among New England commercial fishermen, scientists, and fishery managers. Since beginning in conjunction with Northeast Regional Office efforts in 1999, the NCRP has funded more than 166 research projects worth over $34 million dollars through initiatives such as the Cooperative Research Partners Program and Research Set Aside Programs in Northeast and Mid-Atlantic fisheries. These projects have involved more than 300 fisherman and 120 scientists from Federal and state agencies, universities, and independent research groups. In addition, the NCRP has conducted efforts such as cooperative surveys to assess and monitor marine fish stocks, conservation engineering projects to develop more selective fishing gear, and a study fleet program that collects finer scale data on catch and effort. The NCRP also supports cooperative research efforts through grants to organizations such as the Northeast Consortium, Southern New England Collaborative Research Initiative, and Partnership for Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Science. These organizations then develop research priorities and solicitations for projects that encourage collaboration among scientists, managers, and the fishing industry. This session will give an overview of current NEFSC Cooperative Research Program activities, processes involved in applying for and conducting cooperative research, and Federal permitting and environmental legislation requirements. The discussion will also focus on the need to better incorporate cooperative research results into the fisheries management process, and opportunities to develop cooperative research projects and expertise.
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