The New England Fishery Management Council seeks professionals to serve on our Plan Development Teams with skill sets that complement our staff as well as those of our partners in fisheries management, the National Marine Fisheries Service. Independent scientists, and in particular those from GMRI, have filled this niche on the Council’s Groundfish, Habitat, Herring and Monkfish Plan Development Teams. These Plan Development Teams serve a key function, evaluating and analyzing draft management measures and providing alternatives if the measures do not meet the Council’s stated objectives. PDT members, including individuals on GMRI’s staff, Dan Holland, Steve Eayrs, Jonathan Grabowski, Jason Stockwell, and Graham Sherwood, have contributed to the process by providing analyses, reviewing documents, and providing additional perspective on management strategies.

GMRI staff has also been helpful as the Council explores alternative management programs, such as sectors and individual transferable quotas. Individuals such as Cindy Smith and Laura Taylor Singer have broadened the Council conversation by involving experts from outside New England to help the Council to tackle the difficult task of monitoring our fisheries and offering assistance with outreach and planning for change. This involvement has been critical as the Council addresses an ambitious set of priorities over the next several years.

Last, but importantly, GMRI scientists have initiated studies that have significantly improved the information we use to manage fisheries. Through their work we have made strides in our understanding of cod and haddock migrations, groundfish habitat use, the impacts of fishing on herring populations, monkfish movements and stock structure, as well as acquired valuable information on the red crab fishery. GMRI’s fisheries experts have explored alternative gear configurations, one of the ways in which we can meet our conservation goals. And of course, we are fortunate to have the participation of Dr. John Annala on the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee, as the Council works to meet the mandates of the reauthorized Magnuson Act to establish acceptable levels of catch in all our fisheries.

We salute GMRI and its staff and view the organization’s contributions as invaluable to advancing the conservation and management of our regional fisheries. We are most fortunate to be the beneficiaries of GMRI’s expertise and hard work and look forward to continuing our relationship.