The partnership for mid-Atlantic fisheries science

The Partnership for Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Science (PMAFS) is a multi-state multi-institutional partnership formed in 2008 to utilize academic and recreational and commercial fisheries resources to address the most urgent scientific problems limiting successful management of fisheries in the Mid-Atlantic. This partnership will coordinate its efforts with the needs of fisheries management councils and NMFS. PMAFS is the first and only organization of its kind in the Mid-Atlantic region, and indeed in the United States.  PMAFS members and advisors include representatives of Garden State Seafood Association, Jersey Coast Anglers Association, Long Island Commercial Fishing Association, Recreational Fishing Alliance, Save the Summer Flounder Fishery, United Boatmen of New York, and United Boatmen of New Jersey along with leading marine science experts from Rutgers University, Cornell University, University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, University of Maryland-Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, ASMFC, MAFMC, and NMFS.  Start-up funding came from donations from within the recreational and commercial fishing community.  Additional funds of $2 million were secured through federal FY 2009 and 2010 appropriations through NMFS for summer flounder and black sea bass research.  The FY 2009 funds are supporting six summer flounder research projects.  Data produced will be used in the 2011 benchmark assessment.