Great South Channel Habitat Management Area (GSC HMA) survey
Project leads: Natalie Jennings, Luisa Garcia, and Farrell Davis
Funded by: Private donations
data. Additionally, a comprehensive continuing education program will be developed, ensuring that fishermen have the knowledge and expertise to improve fisheries management strategies using new techniques and tools.
Vessels will be outfitted with advanced sampling equipment to collect oceanographic and fisheries specific data, which will allow participants to gain hands-on experience with experimental fishing methods and contribute valuable data to the scientific community. The data gathered during this project will be used to identify the best tools, equipment, and methods necessary to streamline oceanographic and fisheries data collection. Ideally, this collaborative effort will help fill the gaps in current ocean data collection by leveraging the unique expertise of fishermen. This will generate a robust dataset that benefits both fisheries management and environmental research, creating job opportunities and promoting the long-term sustainability of marine ecosystems.
Coonamessett Farm Foundation’s Fishing For Data: Massachusetts Cooperative Fisheries Research initiative is a research and development project with the goal of providing captains and crew with essential oceanographic and fisheries data collection skills through on-site and at-sea training sessions. CFF will outfit a dedicated training facility with necessary equipment to support continuing education in oceanographic sampling, experimental fishing, and data analysis and interpretation. The training facility will serve as a base for equipping fishermen with skills needed to collect and analyze important marine