Coonamessett Farm Foundation’s (CFF) mission is to conduct scientific research and educational projects that support sustainable fisheries operations, local small-scale agriculture and aquaculture, and renewable energy sources for the benefits of the public.
Parachute Sea Anchors and Automated Jigging
October Squid Research Trip
As part of CFF's ongoing squid research, our team has been testing equipment used to support automated squid jigging during offshore fishing operations.
One important component is the parachute sea anchor, which is deployed in the water to reduce vessel drift and improve stability. The sea anchor can reduce drift by as much as ten times, allowing a vessel in a two-knot current to drift at approximately 0.2 knots.
The sea anchor also helps orient the vessel into the waves, preventing jigging lines from moving underneath the boat and chafing. By stabilizing the vessel, it helps keep the lines more vertical, an important consideration for effective automated…
November 2, 2026
Welcoming Sierra Koerber-Marx, Research Assistant
New Team Member
October 19, 2026
On World Food Day, the Value of Local Food
These coastal waters have fed people for thousands of years.
October 16, 2026
What Happens to Sea Turtles When a Major Storm Moves Through?
Tracking data offer a look at how loggerhead sea turtles respond to changing conditions at sea.
October 14, 2026
Our feature film, Sustaining Sea Scallops, is now available online! Watch the full documentary to learn how the collaborative research model embraced by CFF helped a flagging scallop fishing industry rebound.
Your donation powers hands-on research, community-driven education, and sustainable solutions across land and sea. Every gift, no matter the size, helps us protect ecosystems, inform policy, and support a more resilient future for people and the planet.
