Cooperative Research in the National Marine Fisheries Service (2004) / Chapter Skim
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4. Setting Research Priorities
4. Setting Research Priorities
Pages 51-62
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From page 51... ...
as amended by the Sustainable Fisheries Act in 1996, Section 404 (Fisheries Research) requires the Secretary of Commerce to develop a strategic fisheries research plan (NMFS, 20011.
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From page 52... ...
Goal 5 of this plan states that National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will improve the effectiveness of external partnerships with fishers, managers, scientists, conservationists, and other interested parties by: · Promoting a cooperative network of partners in the coordination of fisheries research · Developing infrastructure for long-term continuous working relationships with partners to address fisheries research issues · Sponsoring symposia and conferences for partners to exchange information and identify major research initiatives · Soliciting partners' views on fisheries research needs Developing a mechanism and infrastructure to develop, prioritize, and coordinate cooperative research, however, can be a daunting task given the overall complexities of the U.S.
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From page 53... ...
, Pacific States Marine Fish Commission, Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) , state agencies, environmental organizations, industry groups, Sea Grant, and universities were willing to take leadership and champion the development of a coordinating mechanism at that time.
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From page 54... ...
However, on the basis of recent experiences in cooperative research, there are some guiding principles and criteria that may be useful for prioritizing cooperative research and estimating the degree of cooperative engagement that will generate significant, positive benefits for science, management, and society. DEVELOPING CRITERIA FOR PRIORITIZING COOPERATIVE FISHERIES RESEARCH Any process developed for prioritizing cooperative fisheries research must be efficient, open, transparent, and fair.
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From page 55... ...
It is critical that scientists and other parties engage fishery managers in strategic discussions for establishing quantifiable objectives that can be used for prioritizing and evaluating cooperative research (NRC, 20021. In addition, scientists, managers, industry, and other constituents need to collaboratively evaluate potential benefits and costs over time in order to develop consensus priorities for cooperative research.
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From page 56... ...
In contrast, the New England Fisheries Management Council has established the Research Steering Committee composed of scientists, managers, and industry to develop prioritized cooperative research projects that integrate science and management needs. Projects are supported through congressional funding to NMFS and specifically the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, which are targeted for cooperative research.
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From page 57... ...
Scenario 2: NMFS-Based Cooperative Research Coordination An alternative approach would be to directly provide NMFS with the administrative authority to coordinate cooperative research. This would be characterized by: · NMFS fisheries science centers having a lead role in coordinating and prioritizing federal fisheries research within each region, including directing funds earmarked for cooperative research .
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From page 58... ...
The committees would be expected to develop formal coordination plans with the NMFS fisheries science centers. · potential for rifts between NMFS fisheries science centers, environmental organizations, and FMCs over committee recommendations · potential for continued pressure on Congress to earmark funds for "cooperative" research, leading to concern about NMFS fisheries science center funding · unstable funding for cooperative research, complicating research planning and potentially reducing effectiveness of all cooperative research programs Scenario 4: Industry-Based Research Coordination Fishing industry organizations could lead the effort to select, prioritize, and coordinate industry-funded fisheries research through the following:
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From page 59... ...
potential rifts between industry, NMFS fisheries science centers, and FMCs over committee recommendations and study outcomes · unstable funding as a result of variations in revenues available for taxation or cost recoveries, complicating research planning Scenario 5: Neutral Third-Party Research Coordination Other organizations have missions consistent with leadership roles in prioritizing and coordinating fisheries research. For example, national or state Sea Grant organizations, interstate marine fisheries commissions, or regional fisheries foundations could play vital roles in prioritizing and coordinating federal fisheries research.
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From page 60... ...
· The primary function of the regional research boards would be to prioritize, coordinate, and evaluate all federally funded cooperative fisheries research within each region, consistent with the objectives of the MSFCMA. The boards would be expected to develop consistent and objective criteria for selecting and prioritizing cooperative fisheries research areas, projects, and programs.
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From page 61... ...
· The regional research boards would be expected to conduct symposiums and foster other methods of communication to engage all constituent groups and scientists in sharing research ideas and information. · The regional research boards could also evaluate all federally funded research in the region for its potential as cooperative research.
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From page 62... ...
The committee heart! that cooperative research is sometimes looked upon as nothing more than disaster aid, putting fishermen in the position of being seen as a drain on public resources.
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