Cooperative Research: Facing the Challenges of COVID-19

The novel coronavirus has presented many challenges to researchers and fishermen, who often work in close quarters at sea and shore-side. However, some of our cooperative research partners have developed strategies to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and continue their work safely. To share what has been learned, the NEFSC Cooperative Research Branch is hosting two, 1.5 hour WebEx virtual workshops on February 25 and March 4, 2021. The first webinar in this series will focus on how cooperative research field work was adapted to ensure safe operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The second webinar in this series will focus on  how fishermen worked with researchers to independently collect scientific data during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how it may be used to bridge data gaps. 

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In August and September 2019, the NEFSC Cooperative Research Branch (CRB) hosted a series of stakeholder engagement sessions in eight ports along the Mid-Atlantic and New England seaboard. Regional partners identified priorities and challenges for scientific research conducted in collaboration with commercial fishermen. In response to recommendations made during those sessions, CRB planned to host two summits in 2020 to facilitate regional coordination of cooperative research and development of new partnerships. These summits have been postponed as part of the national effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. In the interim, the Cooperative Research: Facing the Challenges of COVID-19 virtual meetings will carry on the conversation among the network of researchers and industry partners, focused on contemporary challenges. 

Meet the Voices of Our Upcoming 2021 Webinars