Cooperative Research in the Gulf of Mexico, Providing Data for Stock Assessments

The NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Cooperative Research Program began in 2003.  In the Gulf of Mexico, we have partnered with eight projects involving commercial fishers, fishermen’s associations, universities, and non-profit organizations. These projects’ objectives’ included the collection of biological samples for the determination of age, growth, and reproductive characteristics of snappers, groupers, mackerels and tilefish collected during directed fishing trips.  In addition, projects collected data on bycatch and discards.  These projects provided many insights into commercial handline and longline fisheries, such as better descriptions of discarded fish (e.g., species, condition), compared to discard information reported through commercial logbooks, and how the process of routine commercial fishing practices varies from random, systematic sampling.  We experienced the difficulties in running field projects (e.g., weather, vessel repairs) plus the obstacles in obtaining proper fishing permits, which led to inconsistent monthly sampling.  For the most part, each of the projects resulted in a positive experience for both the fisheries biologists and the fishers.  The Cooperative Research Program provides an essential means for fishers to appreciate the science involved in estimating vital life history inputs for stock assessment and the biologists’ awareness of the needs of fishers.