Research and Data Collection in Support of Spatial Fisheries Management

NOAA Fisheries is investigating strategies to conduct research and collect data in areas closed to highly migratory species fishing or where fishing activities and gear types are restricted.

Fishery-dependent data is vital in informing and supporting effective fisheries management, and areas that restrict fishing effort often have a commensurate decrease in fishery dependent data collection.

To help the public provide input, we have developed an Issues and Options paper that outlines possible strategies. We will also hold scoping meetings where members of the public can comment on the potential research and data collection options.