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NFCC has a proven track record working with fishery stakeholders at both national and local levels. Our previous work has focused on: 1. Bycatch Alaska Bycatch Workshops (1995) The NFCC facilitated two workshops designed to identify potential solutions to long-standing bycatch problems in Alaska fisheries. The workshops were attended by representatives of major gear-type associations, processing companies and Native American villages, senior regulators, key fisheries scientists, and environmentalists. In addition to producing bycatch solutions that were included in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Bycatch Strategy, the workshops provided participants with a tangible experience of cooperation that helped to bridge gaps between the various groups and produced a renewed sense of hope about the potential for constructively addressing the bycatch issue. This work was funded by the National Marine Fisheries Service. National Bycatch Strategy (1995) NFCC was one of the few organizations commissioned to advise the National Marine Fisheries Service in the development of a National Bycatch Strategy. In 1995, NFCC joined other organizations to help launch an international symposium, "Solving Bycatch". NFCC also produced the book, Win-Win Bycatch Solutions, which has sold out most of its initial run. This work was funded by the National Marine Fisheries Service. Tuna-Dolphin (1994-1995) One of the hottest topics of NFCC's original bycatch conference at Fish Expo was the encirclement of dolphins in tuna purse seine nets. The conference provided a forum where tuna seiners, scientists, and conservation advocates for the first time agreed to recognize the innovation and commitment that fisheries had employed to enormously reduce the mortality of dolphins in tuna nets. The bridge building and dialogue promoted at the conference and in subsequent months enabled the two sides of this bitter, 20-year battle to negotiate an international agreement that set the stage for an end to the U.S. embargo on tuna caught by encircling dolphins and a new definition of "dolphin safe" for tuna labeling. This work was funded by the Fisheries Management Foundation and National Fisherman magazine. Seabird Bycatch Project (1996) NFCC collaborated with the Institute for Fisheries Resources to create an Internet list-server that provides a forum for discussions and reports on progress in seabird bycatch efforts and strategies for fisheries that encounter these problems. This work was funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. Click here to access the Seabird Bycatch Project online. 2. Cooperative Studies Analysis of Fisheries Research Needs (1998) The NFCC performed an analysis of data gaps and research needs in fisheries management in the United States, focusing specifically on stock assessment and related issues. This work was funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Click here to download the full report. (PDF file) Panel Discussions on Cooperative Data Gathering (1999) The NFCC hosted panel discussions at the Boston and Seattle Fish Expos to promote dialogue about the usefulness of fisherman-gathered data and to help scientists and fishermen to better understand each other's differing perspectives on the issue. The panels included environmentalists, industry members, fishery managers, and academics and were supported by active audience involvement. This work was funded by the Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation and the National Marine Fisheries Service. Click here to download the full report. (PDF file) National Evaluation of Cooperative Data Gathering Efforts (1999-2000) The NFCC performed a case study evaluation of seven cooperative data gathering efforts across the country to improve the design and implementation of future programs and to create more realistic expectations about what cooperative data gathering can and cannot accomplish. This work was funded by the National Marine Fisheries Service. Click here to download the full report. (PDF file) |