GMRI is widely recognized as a go-to resource for communities grappling with complex marine issues. We are relied on to facilitate deliberate dialogue and provide training to enable new governance structures, business systems, and uses of the ocean environment.
Throughout 2008, GMRI served as on-the-ground technicians for a transformative shift in New England’s groundfish industry from “days-at-sea” to a management system that allocates shares of the annual catch to harvesting cooperatives called sectors. We placed staff members in both Portland, ME, and Gloucester, MA, to assist fishermen with planning and organizing sixteen new sectors. We provided sector members and policymakers with a clear analysis of the options and costs of phasing in a new system to enable timely and accurate monitoring of each group’s catch.
Our FishTank meetings engaged more than 60 fishermen, scientists, and regulators in frank discussions about the Amendment 16 process, lobster gear changes to cope with whale protection rules, and potential to expand the dogfish fishery. We continue to manage the Marine Resource Education Program (MREP) to prepare fishermen to navigate the complexity of fishery science and management. GMRI has also emerged as a quiet leader in catalyzing a thoughtful approach to ocean energy development in Maine.
Now in its 8th year, MREP has over 300 alumni. To evaluate the impact this long standing program, we collected 165 surveys and conducted 15 in-depth interviews with alumni. We learned that MREP’s greatest strength lies in bringing diverse interests together to share perspectives and exchange information. More than half alumni surveyed believe that MREP improves the relationships between scientists, fishermen, and managers. Over 85% agreed that MREP has made them more aware of the challenges involved in fisheries science and management. We are now turning our attention to developing an advanced MREP to build enhanced leadership skills in fishermen interested in engaging more deeply in the management process. We have also been asked to assist with replicating the program in the Western Pacific and Gulf of Mexico.
In 2008, GMRI set out to enable a coherent conversation about the potential risks and rewards of siting ocean-based power generation facilities along the Maine coast. We successfully convened the Power of the Gulf conference last June, bringing together key thought leaders for frank and open dialogue. GMRI’s President now chairs the Governor’s Task Force on Ocean Energy.
In addition, interested community members have come to rely on our Sea State Lecture Series to connect them with marine science and policy thought leaders. In 2008, we hosted eleven free public lectures on topics ranging from changes in fishery management to emerging areas of ocean innovation.
Greater involvement is the key 
Help for guys like me to know science Understand some of the roadblocks Some of the most productive hours Brings stakeholders onto the same page Bring together such a diverse group Become more active in these matters 
GMRI is working with Gulf of Maine’s seafood supply chain to build a regional identity for Gulf of Maine seafood that adds value in the marketplace...