Collaborative Research

Collaborative Research ( also known as cooperative research) in fishing refers to when scientists and fishermen work together to conduct experiments to find information used for  fisheries management. Fishermen  bring experience on the water and repeated observations of fish and their habitat that can be used to generate hypothesis and utilized in data collection. Examples of cooperative research includes commercial fishermen participating on vessel surveys, scientists charting fishing vessels, university and government scientists designing new species specific surveys, fishermen conducting experiments to improve gear efficiency or reduce bycatch. Cooperative research has a history that parallels that of fisheries research and has evolved since the 1870’s along with the agencies and institutions of fisheries science (from  Cooperative Research in the National Marine Fisheries Service (2003))

Cooperative Research trip open to Press, Industry, Government
F/V Darana R will host members of the press, industry, elected officials, and other interested parties to observe a cooperative research fishing trip on the F/V Darana R during the Working Waterfront Festival on Saturday, September 25th.

The Darana R participates in co-operative research with the Virginia Marine Institute at the College of William and Mary.  Participants will observe the Institute  and Captain Jim Ruhle at work on a cooperative research trip, where scientists work together with fishermen to gather credible data on stock levels and the health of ocean resources. Interested parties should contact the Working Waterfront Festival office at 508-993-8894 or via email at [email protected]. The vessel will leave the Sea Fuels Dock at 2 P.M.

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