White Paper Cooperative Research and Management
Maria Jacob, NEFMC Staff, Fishery Specialist
RSC Meeting 10/22/2015 RSC Meeting 10/22/2015
1
Introduction Background Stakeholder letter to NOAA Administrator Dr. Sullivan in 2013. Stakeholders requested that NOAA provide guidance on cooperative
research and management under Magnuson-Stevens Act Section 318:
The Secretary shall make funds available under the program for the support of projects to address critical needs identified by the Councils in consultation with the Secretary.” “The program shall promote and encourage efforts to utilize sources of data maintained by other Federal agencies, State agencies, or academia for use in such projects.”
White Paper (NOAA Technical Memo) The White Paper addresses survey results from internal participants at
NOAA Fisheries and external participants. The recommendations included in the White Paper will be addressed by NOAA Leadership Council.
RSC Meeting 10/22/2015
2
White Paper: Cooperative Research Cooperative research projects typically includes some level
of stakeholder involvement. Research is used to inform management decisions: Gear engineering research to reduce bycatch. Resource abundance studies are used in stock assessments.
Parameters for scientific activity: Data precision is maximized. Statistically robust methodology is used. Bias is minimized or accounted for in the results. Data is made accessible to stakeholders, including industry. RSC Meeting 10/22/2015
3
Benefits to cooperative research Engagement with industry early in the process. Collaborations on data collected by the agency and
stakeholders improve trust between the industry and the agency. Voluntary adoption of a cooperative research product (i.e. modified gear type) to reduce bycatch and incidental catch. However, the industry should be given credit for being
proactive and sustainably conscientious; therefore, mechanism to recognize these efforts are also important (i.e. VTR code) RSC Meeting 10/22/2015
4
Challenges with cooperative research Poor alignment between management and science needs; and
fishermen’s interest Lack of clear communication and stakeholder involvement at beginning of project Industry’s expectation for the utility of the data is not realized There needs to be a shared understanding regarding the utility of the data; and
how the data would be synthesized for use.
Impediments that currently exist: Data confidentiality issues Contracts vs. cooperative agreements Lack of streamlined EFP and grants processes
RSC Meeting 10/22/2015
5
Suggestions for Improvement Involve assessment scientist early on (i.e. project design) so that
the research, if applicable, can be used in the stock assessments. Improve proposal development. Cooperative research standards/goals should be: Data quality and
data sharing as important to a successful cooperative research program. Improvements to the timeliness of the NOAA Grants
Management Process. Mechanism (through legal authority) to allow non-federal funding
to be used to conduct cooperative research. Independent monitoring of cooperative research programs. RSC Meeting 10/22/2015
6
Recommendations to NOAA Leadership Council Better align cooperative research goals with management priorities. Partners with expertise in a particular research field should be included
in the design, implementation, and analysis of that project. Research papers should be peer-reviewed. Improve working relationships with cooperative research partners. Guidance to maintain or transition funding for multi-year research
projects. Research should be conducted in compliance with Magnuson-Stevens
Act established fishing mortality limits, and comply with ESA and MMPA.
RSC Meeting 10/22/2015
7
Applications to the Research Steering Committee Statistical analysis of data results Level of analysis can vary between projects Are there ways to address major concerns with data analysis before
researchers present at meetings?
Guidelines for researchers presenting at RSC meetings: Expectations may differ from research presented at other meetings Research may be used to help inform management decisions Are there ways to improve communication with researchers on RSC
expectations before the meetings?
Plan Development Team involvement at RSC meetings Are there major concerns from PDT members?
RSC Meeting 10/22/2015
8
Multi-year Research Priority List
RSC Meeting 10/22/2015
9
Feedback Loop for Reports Year
Primary Project Category
Title
Bycatch
2015b
Bycatch
Survey
2015b
Tech Review
RSC Review
Principal Organization
CFF
Coonamessett Farm Foundation
$950,112
CFF
Coonamessett Farm Foundation
$797,040
CFF
Determining the Impacts of Dredge Bag Modifications on Flatfish Bycatch in the LAGC Scallop Fishery
Christopher Coonamessett Parkins and Farrell Farm Foundation Davis
$308,200
CFF
Optical Survey of the Resource in the Elephant Trunk Scallop Access Area
Paul Rosonina, Karen Bolles Hopkins, Norman Vine, Jui-Han Chang, Richard Taylor
$629,328
Arnies
Determination of the Impacts of Dredge Speed on Bycatch Reduction and Scallop Selectivity Weights of NW Atlantic Sea Scallops via Paired Field Surveys and Laboratory Experiments
2015b
Used in NEFSC Final Assessment Report
$979,680
Bycatch
Turtle
Used by Council
Coonamessett Farm Foundation
Habitat Characterization and Sea Scallop Resource Enhancement Study in a Proposed Habitat Research Area –Year Three
2015b
Funding
CFF
Ecosystem/ Habitat
2015b
Carl Huntsberger, Farrell Davis, Shea Miller, Chris Parkins Daniel Ward, Liese Siemann, Christopher Parkins
Organization
Coonamessett $1,999,832 Farm Foundation
Optimizing the Georges Bank Scallop Fishery by Maximizing Meat Yield and Minimizing Bycatch
2015b
Principal Investigator
Farrell Davis, Christopher Parkins, Daniel Ward
Understanding Impacts of the Sea Scallop Fishery on Loggerhead Sea Shea Miller Turtles through Satellite Tagging
Arnie’s Fisheries, Inc
RSC Meeting 10/22/2015
10
Questions?
RSC Meeting 10/22/2015
11
RSC Meeting 10/22/2015 RSC Meeting 10/22/2015
1
Introduction Background Stakeholder letter to NOAA Administrator Dr. Sullivan in 2013. Stakeholders requested that NOAA provide guidance on cooperative
research and management under Magnuson-Stevens Act Section 318:
The Secretary shall make funds available under the program for the support of projects to address critical needs identified by the Councils in consultation with the Secretary.” “The program shall promote and encourage efforts to utilize sources of data maintained by other Federal agencies, State agencies, or academia for use in such projects.”
White Paper (NOAA Technical Memo) The White Paper addresses survey results from internal participants at
NOAA Fisheries and external participants. The recommendations included in the White Paper will be addressed by NOAA Leadership Council.
RSC Meeting 10/22/2015
2
White Paper: Cooperative Research Cooperative research projects typically includes some level
of stakeholder involvement. Research is used to inform management decisions: Gear engineering research to reduce bycatch. Resource abundance studies are used in stock assessments.
Parameters for scientific activity: Data precision is maximized. Statistically robust methodology is used. Bias is minimized or accounted for in the results. Data is made accessible to stakeholders, including industry. RSC Meeting 10/22/2015
3
Benefits to cooperative research Engagement with industry early in the process. Collaborations on data collected by the agency and
stakeholders improve trust between the industry and the agency. Voluntary adoption of a cooperative research product (i.e. modified gear type) to reduce bycatch and incidental catch. However, the industry should be given credit for being
proactive and sustainably conscientious; therefore, mechanism to recognize these efforts are also important (i.e. VTR code) RSC Meeting 10/22/2015
4
Challenges with cooperative research Poor alignment between management and science needs; and
fishermen’s interest Lack of clear communication and stakeholder involvement at beginning of project Industry’s expectation for the utility of the data is not realized There needs to be a shared understanding regarding the utility of the data; and
how the data would be synthesized for use.
Impediments that currently exist: Data confidentiality issues Contracts vs. cooperative agreements Lack of streamlined EFP and grants processes
RSC Meeting 10/22/2015
5
Suggestions for Improvement Involve assessment scientist early on (i.e. project design) so that
the research, if applicable, can be used in the stock assessments. Improve proposal development. Cooperative research standards/goals should be: Data quality and
data sharing as important to a successful cooperative research program. Improvements to the timeliness of the NOAA Grants
Management Process. Mechanism (through legal authority) to allow non-federal funding
to be used to conduct cooperative research. Independent monitoring of cooperative research programs. RSC Meeting 10/22/2015
6
Recommendations to NOAA Leadership Council Better align cooperative research goals with management priorities. Partners with expertise in a particular research field should be included
in the design, implementation, and analysis of that project. Research papers should be peer-reviewed. Improve working relationships with cooperative research partners. Guidance to maintain or transition funding for multi-year research
projects. Research should be conducted in compliance with Magnuson-Stevens
Act established fishing mortality limits, and comply with ESA and MMPA.
RSC Meeting 10/22/2015
7
Applications to the Research Steering Committee Statistical analysis of data results Level of analysis can vary between projects Are there ways to address major concerns with data analysis before
researchers present at meetings?
Guidelines for researchers presenting at RSC meetings: Expectations may differ from research presented at other meetings Research may be used to help inform management decisions Are there ways to improve communication with researchers on RSC
expectations before the meetings?
Plan Development Team involvement at RSC meetings Are there major concerns from PDT members?
RSC Meeting 10/22/2015
8
Multi-year Research Priority List
RSC Meeting 10/22/2015
9
Feedback Loop for Reports Year
Primary Project Category
Title
Bycatch
2015b
Bycatch
Survey
2015b
Tech Review
RSC Review
Principal Organization
CFF
Coonamessett Farm Foundation
$950,112
CFF
Coonamessett Farm Foundation
$797,040
CFF
Determining the Impacts of Dredge Bag Modifications on Flatfish Bycatch in the LAGC Scallop Fishery
Christopher Coonamessett Parkins and Farrell Farm Foundation Davis
$308,200
CFF
Optical Survey of the Resource in the Elephant Trunk Scallop Access Area
Paul Rosonina, Karen Bolles Hopkins, Norman Vine, Jui-Han Chang, Richard Taylor
$629,328
Arnies
Determination of the Impacts of Dredge Speed on Bycatch Reduction and Scallop Selectivity Weights of NW Atlantic Sea Scallops via Paired Field Surveys and Laboratory Experiments
2015b
Used in NEFSC Final Assessment Report
$979,680
Bycatch
Turtle
Used by Council
Coonamessett Farm Foundation
Habitat Characterization and Sea Scallop Resource Enhancement Study in a Proposed Habitat Research Area –Year Three
2015b
Funding
CFF
Ecosystem/ Habitat
2015b
Carl Huntsberger, Farrell Davis, Shea Miller, Chris Parkins Daniel Ward, Liese Siemann, Christopher Parkins
Organization
Coonamessett $1,999,832 Farm Foundation
Optimizing the Georges Bank Scallop Fishery by Maximizing Meat Yield and Minimizing Bycatch
2015b
Principal Investigator
Farrell Davis, Christopher Parkins, Daniel Ward
Understanding Impacts of the Sea Scallop Fishery on Loggerhead Sea Shea Miller Turtles through Satellite Tagging
Arnie’s Fisheries, Inc
RSC Meeting 10/22/2015
10
Questions?
RSC Meeting 10/22/2015
11
