Advancing Fish Habitat Science Through Regional Collaboration

This presentation explores the science outcomes that can be generated through regional collaboration within and between Fish Habitat Partnerships, in the eastern US.  In 2009, the Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership completed a Species-Habitat Matrix which evaluates the relative importance of 25 habitat types in terms of their value to four major life stages of 161 fish and invertebrate species. This presentation will explore the human dimension of the project, specifically the process by which coastwide involvement was generated, from the initial project development steps to the final steps of reviewing the results.  All told, over 90 individuals-- scientists from state, federal, NGO and academic entities-- volunteered their time to the completion of the project.  In 2012, three Fish Habitat Partnerships, the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture, the Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership, and the Southeast Aquatic Partnership entered into a collaborative Whitewater to Bluewater effort to support and enhance the continued operation of, and enhance coordination between the three partnerships in three areas: communication and outreach, steering committee operation, and scientific assessment.  This presentation will highlight the initial steps this unique partnership has taken towards collectively advancing each partnership’s habitat assessment, and explore potential avenues for future collaboration.