The Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation and the Northeast Fisheries Science Center are seeking commercial scallop fishermen to test a sea scallop data collection app. This app aims to collect data on the distribution and prevalence of scallop diseases and assess reproductive condition year-round. This data will help fishermen inform management in a changing environment. Click HERE to apply.
Apply By: January 25, 2023
The Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation is seeking applications for mobile gear fishing vessels to participate in a new research project to test an electronic gear location marking application. This project will provide much needed information on how accurately the application marks the location of fixed gear, as well as how helpful the application is to mobile fishermen to help plan the location of their tows.
Each selected vessel will be provided with a cellular signal booster and a tablet with a gear location marking application installed. Participants will be compensated to use the application on up to 10 regular fishing days and provide feedback on the accuracy, helpfulness, and feasibility of using this application. You can learn more about the project on the webpage.
Interested? For more information on how to participate click here and to download the application form click here. If you are interested in applying, please complete and submit the application form by May 1, 2022.
Questions? Please contact
Katie Viducic, Research Biologist, CFRF
Email: kviducic@cfrfoundation.org
Phone: (401) 515-4892
David Bethoney, Executive Director, CFRF
Email: dbethoney@cfrfoundation.org
Phone: (401) 515-4662
Researchers from the Rhode Island Division of Marine Fisheries, the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation (CFRF), and the University of Rhode Island are conducting a project to examine different harvest control strategies for the valuable Jonah crab fishery. A key component of this project is collaborating with Jonah crab industry stakeholders to design and test potential management strategies for the commercial fishery. Please note that this project is an academic research project and is being conducted independently of the Commission’s management process for the species. We invite Jonah crab harvesters, processors, dealers, and other stakeholders to participate in an initial collaborative workshop where we will 1) provide background and description for the project and 2) collect stakeholders’ opinions on fishery assessment methods and management strategies to be tested moving forward. It is expected that the results of this simulation-based research will be informative to future Jonah crab research and management. This workshop will take place on Wednesday, April 6th, from 3-7pm at the URI Graduate School of Oceanography campus in Narragansett, RI (address below). Virtual attendance will also be offered. A stipend will be offered to our fishing partners to compensate you for your time.
To RSVP, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/etnxgYd4Ths7jVtV6
RSVP encouraged by March 23rd, 2022 to secure your place in the workshop. Some background information will be made available to registrants prior to the workshop. Questions may be directed to Corinne Truesdale at corinne.truesdale@dem.ri.gov. Thank you for your interest!
Workshop location:
URI Graduate School of Oceanography
218 South Ferry Road
Narragansett, RI 02882
The Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation is seeking eight commercial whelk F/Vs, from Rhode Island and Massachusetts, to pilot a Whelk Research Fleet. Participating vessels will work with the CFRF and its collaborators to collect data during commercial whelk trips to fill fishery dependent data gaps and provide critically important data for whelk management. If you are interested in applying, please complete and submit the application by December 17th.
Interested? Questions? Please contact
Thomas Heimann, Research Biologist, CFRF
Email: theimann@cfrfoundation.org, Phone: (401) 515-4892
More information about this project is available on the project webpage.
Different seasons, different yields. Managers know this too, but don't have the data needed to incorporate it into quota allocations. Work with us to change this.
The Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation is seeking 4 LAGC and 2 LA scallop vessels to join the pilot Sea Scallop Research Fleet. The data will help inform fisheries management on the changes in scallop meat weight, quality and reproductive potential by area and season. Applications are due by May 21st. If you would like to submit an application for consideration please fill out the application and forward either via email, fax or mail to CFRF. For more information about the project and to download the vessel application form visit the project webpage.
The Assessing Vulnerability of the Atlantic Sea Scallop Social-Ecological System in the Northeast Waters of the US project was featured in the April NOAA Navigator. Click here to view the article, “Scientists Seek Input From Scallop Industry for Study on Ocean Acidification Impacts”.
The Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation is engaging Orsted to participate in their fisheries monitoring surveys of the South Fork Wind Offshore Wind Farm near Cox's Ledge. We are seeking commercial fishermen to join us in the proposals for this work which includes four different surveys: beam trawl, fish pot, gillnet, and ventless trap. A document for each survey with details about the scope of work are provided via link below. If you are interested please complete an application provided below and return by May 19th. We understand this is a short turnaround, but the full proposals are due shortly after.
Please click on the documents below to view and download:
CFRF Survey Vessel Application
CFRF Beam Trawl Briefing Document
CFRF Fish Pot Briefing Document
CFRF Gillnet Briefing Document
CFRF Ventless Trap Survey
Questions? Please contact
Gillnet: Aubrey Ellertson, CFRF Research Biologist at (401)515-4892, aellertson@cfrfoundation.org
Beam Trawl: Dave Bethoney, CFRF Executive Director at (401) 515-4662, dbethoney@cfrfoundation.org
Fish pot: Thomas Heimann, CFRF Research Biologist at (401)515-4892, theimann@cfrfoundation.org
Ventless Trap Survey: Mike Long, CFRF Research Biologist at (401) 515-4892, mlong@cfrfoundation.org
We’re proud to announce that Dr. David Bethoney will take over the Executive Director position recently vacated by Dr. Chris Glass. David comes to us from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School of Marine Science and Technology as a Research Assistant Professor. He has more than a decade of experience working with the commercial fishing industry in the Northeast, on developing a river herring bycatch avoidance program and conducting drop camera surveys to support Atlantic sea scallop management. David will be responsible for working with the CFRF Staff, Scientists, Academia, Interns and Consultants to carry out all tasks associated with ongoing projects and general administration. He will also be responsible for pursuing new partnerships and projects, including proposal development and submission, under the advisement of the CFRF Exec. Committee and Board of Directors. David’s first official day is March 2, 2020, his initial opportunity to officially introduce himself and to familiarize himself with the CFRF Staff. Please take a moment to stop by the CFRF office and introduce yourself and welcome David to our dynamic research foundation. The CFRF welcomes you to contact David at dbethoney@cfrfoundation.org or (401) 515-4662. Fred Mattera, CFRF President
The CFRF is excited to announce the premiere of the ‘Harvesting RI Series: RI Fishing Community Documentary” on Rhode Island PBS, Friday, August 23, 2019 at 8pm (channel 8, HD channel 508).
The documentary was a collaborative effort between Caserta Productions, the RI fishing community, and the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation. This film promotes public awareness, explores how traditional systems can be creatively maintained and become more dynamic, and covers how fishermen have responded to changing technology and markets. The project was funded by a USDA Rural Business Development Grant.
The CFRF would like to thank the fishermen and fishing industry members who generously gave their time to participate in this documentary.
The CFRF is pleased to share that the State of Rhode Island General Assembly recently passed a Senate Resolution that recognizes the value of Rhode Island’s fishing industry, as hard-working harvesters and processors of seafood and drivers of the state’s work force and economy. The resolution, titled “Expressing Appreciation and Support for all Rhode Island Fishers and the Rhode Island Commercial Fishing Industry” is a well-deserved acknowledgement of the men and women who risk their lives on the North Atlantic and navigate a complex and conservative regulatory environment to bring premier, sustainable seafood to the mouths of millions.
The Resolution states that “As a result of this turmoil in their industry, our fishers know how to engage in the complex issues and policymaking processes that impact their businesses. They protect our community and ocean environment, and promote and market local seafood, and pilot sustainable fishing practices.” The Resolution goes on to state that “Rhode Island’s fishing and seafood industry is a crucial component of what makes us the Ocean State. Now, therefore, be it resolved, that this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby expresses its sincerest admiration and appreciation and utmost respect for all Rhode Island fishers and the Rhode Island commercial fishing industry.”
The CFRF is grateful to Senators Sosnowski, McCaffrey, Sheehan, Euer, and Algiere, who introduced the resolution. And, more, to the thousands of individuals in Rhode Island that play a role in the fishing and seafood industry. We are honored to work alongside all of you to ensure a bright future for this industry and the ocean environment that it relies upon.
To view the Senate Resolution in its entirety, please visit www.cfrfoundation.org/news-releases .
The CFRF is pleased to release a report titled “The Economic Impact of Rhode Island's Fisheries and Seafood Sector”, which is the result of a collaboration with Dr. Tom Sproul at the University of Rhode Island. This study is the first to measure the economic impact of the RI Fisheries and Seafood Sector using an approach in which businesses are hand-counted to estimate jobs, gross sales, and economic impacts across the state.
Rhode Island's Fisheries and Seafood Sector includes commercial fishing and shellfishing, fishing charters, processing, professional service firms, retail and wholesale seafood dealers, service and supply firms, and tackle shops. Including spillover effects across all sectors of the Rhode Island economy, the total economic impact of the Rhode Island Fisheries and Seafood Sector was 4,381 jobs and $538.3 million in 2016. To facilitate policy discussion, the study also estimated multipliers for X-Vessel landings values for jobs (32.43 jobs per $million) and economic impact (3.06).
Based upon Tom Sproul's past work, the RI Fisheries and Seafood Sector has a greater economic impact than many of RI's other natural resource sectors, including Agriculture ($240 million), Forestry ($407 million), Composites Manufacturing ($300 million), and Parks and Beaches ($310 million). The CFRF is hopeful that this work will give decision makers the data and impetus to better support Rhode Island’s fishing and seafood community
To learn more, please view or download the full report and technical appendix HERE.
The CFRF is grateful to the Rhode Island Foundation and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management for their support of this work.
The Rhode Island Foundation, with sponsorship from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island, has honored five nonprofit organizations, including the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation, with its 2018 Best Practice Awards. These Awards recognize outstanding practices by Rhode Island nonprofit organizations in the areas of Advocacy and Communications, Board and Staff Leadership, Collaboration, Innovation and Volunteer Engagement.
“Our recipients rose from a highly competitive process and an extraordinary group of nominees. There is something in each of their noteworthy accomplishments that can help nonprofits become even more productive,” said Jill Pfitzenmayer, who oversees the Rhode Island Foundation’s capacity-building programs for nonprofits.
“The best practice awards highlight the enormously important role played by Rhode Island’s nonprofit organizations in improving our lives and communities, and we’re grateful to join the Rhode Island Foundation in celebrating the outstanding work of winners and hope to inspire and encourage these outstanding practices among all within the sector,” said Carolyn Belisle, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island’s Managing Director of Community Relations.
The Collaboration Award was presented to the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation (CFRF) for its work building a community of collaboration among fishermen, scientists, resource managers, and food professionals that promotes sound science, sustainable seafood, and vibrant fishing communities. Founded by and led by members of Rhode Island's fishing community, CFRF develops practical solutions to scientific and supply chain challenges, such as providing fishermen with specialized apps to collect data while at sea and developing digital maps of seafood access points in Rhode Island. Since 2004, the CFRF has engaged over 150 fishermen and over 300 scientists and seafood professionals in its work.
“All of the partners that CFRF works with speak their own language, use their own jargon, and harbor assumptions about others involved in fisheries and seafood. The CFRF provides a venue for these groups to come together to find common ground and advance the sustainability of fisheries resources and coastal communities,” said Dr. Anna Mercer, CFRF’s executive director.
To read the full press release and watch a short video from the Rhode Island Foundation, click HERE.
Phase II of the Southern New England Cooperative Ventless Trap Survey (SNECVTS) is officially underway! After more than a year of preparation and anticipation, all the SNECVTS traps are now set in the Rhode Island/Massachusetts Wind Energy Area. This month, teams will go out for the first day of catch sampling and lobster tagging around Cox’s Ledge. If you find a tagged lobster, you can make some extra cash! Instructions on how to report tagged lobsters can be found in the information sheet below, and on our website by clicking HERE.
If you’d like to find out more about SNECVTS, visit the project page on the CFRF website: http://www.cfrfoundation.org/snecvts/.
If you are interested in learning more about all the current projects CFRF has underway, including recent milestones, and all the happenings within the foundation, either view or download a copy of our April 2018 newsletter. In it we cover all project progress since our last newsletter, highlight new projects which have recently begun, and list upcoming events and meetings.
View the April 2018 newsletter here.
Download the April 2018 newsletter here.
To view and download all our past newsletters visit this link.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission highlighted CFRF's Research Fleets in their recent Fisheries Focus newsletter. We are very happy to share our collaborative research fleet approach!
For more information please visit this link to access the February/March 2018 issue of Fisheries Focus: http://www.asmfc.org/…/fi…/5ac2a81dFishFocusFebMarch2018.pdf
Who: All RI Fishing Business Owners (F/Vs, processors, distributors, gear shops, seafood dealers, marine insurance, safety training... everyone!)
What: Learn how you can help URI and CFRF prove the economic value of Rhode Island's fishing industry! Dr. Tom Sproul from URI will explain the value and outcomes of his previous economic analysis work for the RI agriculture industry, and will answer any and all questions that you have about the survey and project. CFRF and URI staff will also be available to help individuals complete the 5 minute survey, available here: www.riepr.org/s/fisheries.
When: Tuesday, November 14th, 5-7pm
Where: Meeting Room above Superior Trawl in Point Judith (55 State Street, Narragansett, RI)
RSVP: To admin@cfrfoundation.org or (401) 515-4890
For more information about this project or to view Dr. Tom Sproul's video greeting, please visit www.cfrfoundation.org/economic-impact-of-fisheries-in-rhode-island/ .
We hope to see you there!
CFRF
The Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation seeks to hire a part-time Research Associate to assist with the implementation of collaborative research projects and general Foundation administration, beginning June 1, 2017. Please click here to see a job description and application instructions. The application deadline is May 8, 2017.
The Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation is working with Dr. Thomas Sproul at the University of Rhode Island to assess the economic impact of the fishing industry in the state of Rhode Island. This work is expected to shed light on the importance of the fishing community to Rhode Island’s economy, work force, and food system. It is essential that all RI fishing businesses participate in this survey, so that the economic assessment is accurate!
Please take 10 minutes to fill out the survey at https://riepr.org/s/fisheries. You will need your business’ gross revenue and employment records for the last three years to complete the survey. Your survey response will be 100% confidential and your data will not be shared with any third party or government agency. After the survey is completed, members of the fishing industry will be able to access aggregate data summaries tailored to their interests.
To read more about the specifics of the project visit the project webpage. Please contact Anna Malek Mercer at amalek@cfrfoundation.org or 401-515-4662 for questions or assistance.
Thank you for your participation!
CFRF BLACK SEA BASS RESEARCH FLEET: On September 1st., the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation (CFRF), in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RI DEM), will launch a one-year pilot project to develop a cost-effective method to collect critically needed fishery dependent data on black sea bass (Centropristis striata) in the Southern New England and Mid-Atlantic Bight region. The project will be approached collaboratively by a team of commercial and recreational fishermen and fisheries scientists and managers, and will involve eight months of black sea bass catch and discard characterization from Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras. The Black Sea Bass Research Fleet will involve eight fishing vessels from a variety of gear types, including trawl, lobster/crab trap, gillnet, and hook and line, in collecting biological black sea bass data as part of routine fishing practices. Participant fishermen will use a specialized tablet app to efficiently and accurately record biological information about black sea bass catch and bycatch throughout the year. The results from the proposed project will help to fill existing data gaps for the northern Atlantic black sea bass, which is an essential first step in developing a management plan that reflects the current state of the black sea bass resource.
The CFRF will be soliciting applications from fishing vessels based in Rhode Island to participate in the Black Sea Bass Research Fleet in September 2016. More information about the project, including application materials, will be available on the CFRF Black Sea Bass Research Fleet webpage.
The CFRF looks forward to getting the Black Sea Bass Research Fleet up and running!
