What is the NOAA Fisheries National Cooperative
Research Program?
Cooperative research provides a means for commercial
and recreational fishermen to become involved in
the collection of fundamental fisheries information
to support the development and evaluation of management
options. In cooperative research, industry and other
stakeholders can partner with NMFS and university
scientists, in all phases of the research program,
including survey/statistical design, conducting of
research, analysis of results, and communication
of results. In FY2001, Congressional funding was
provided to NOAA Fisheries to develop a national
cooperative research program. These funds are administered
by NOAA Fisheries Headquarters and are distributed
to NOAA Fisheries regional cooperative research programs
to assist in implementation of cooperative research
projects.
What is Cooperative Research?
Cooperative research is the partnering of the fishing
industry, fishermen and other stakeholders with federal
and university scientists to collect fundamental
fisheries information. The collection of information
on fisheries resources through cooperative research
programs assists scientists and managers by providing
information to supplement the data currently collected
through existing federal research programs. The information
collected through well-designed and scientifically
valid cooperative research programs is useful in
improving the information base for single species,
as well as multi species and ecosystem assessment
models. Ultimately, this additional information will
improve the evaluation of stock status and the management
of fishery resources. The information provided can
cover a wide range of research areas, including,
but not limited to, fishery dependent data, life
history studies, conservation engineering, species
abundance and distribution, habitat studies, and
socio-economic studies.
What are the Benefits?
Cooperative research programs
have many benefits to the fishing industry, individual
fishermen, fisheries
scientists, and managers, including:
- Improving fishermen’s understanding of
fisheries information.
- Improving the credibility of fisheries information
for use in fisheries management.
- Increasing the precision and expanding the scope
of fisheries resource surveys.
- Providing supplemental information about fishing
operations.
- Direct use of the knowledge gained from fishermen
to help design and implement research.
- Building mutual understanding and respect among
participants.
- Collection of more and better data at lower cost.
- Improved access to vessels and time at sea.
- Development of effective partnerships between
cooperative research participants.
What are the Funding Levels?
Cooperative research has a long history within
NOAA Fisheries, and has been used by all
regions to supplement
existing NOAA Fisheries research activities since the
1940’s. In more recent years, Congressional ‘earmarks’ have
led to dedicated funding for the design and implementation
of regional cooperative research programs. Congressional
funds provided through the National Cooperative Research
Program have been used to provide overall coordination,
as well as supplemental funding for all six NOAA Fisheries
regional cooperative research programs.
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