The CFRF is pleased to release a series of educational, promotional, and practical materials focusing on Rhode Island Seafood that were developed in collaboration with Brown University. Two videos, infographics, and a RI Seafood Supplier Directory are now available on CFRF's Sustainable Seafood in the Ocean State webpage. Thank you to Nico Page, Stefany Garcia, Meagan Peters, Maya Gros, and Dr. Dawn King for working with us!
Contribute to the CFRF's 2017 Giving Campaign!
The Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation is the only fishing industry led research organization in New England … and we need your help to keep it going! Today is #GivingTuesday and the CFRF is kicking off its 2017 Giving Campaign. Please consider donating today (or any day!) to help the CFRF continue its efforts to involve fishermen in scientific research, increase access to and appreciation of the seafood harvested by the region's hard working fishermen, and develop new initiatives that sustain healthy fisheries and vibrant fishing communities across New England. The CFRF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and all donations are fully tax-deductible.
Since the CFRF’s inception in 2003, we have worked with over 135 fishermen as well as hundreds of fisheries scientists, managers, and culinary professionals to achieve our mission of supporting sustainable fisheries resources and resilient fishing communities. The CFRF’s work has covered a wide range of topics, including conservation gear engineering, bycatch reduction, lobster settlement and recruitment, spiny dogfish stock dynamics, discard mortality estimation, fish habitat characterization, shellfish larval dynamics, industry based biological data collection, underutilized species processing and marketing, socio-economic characterizations of fishing communities, supplemental fisheries surveys, offshore wind energy research, and seafood access and sustainability initiatives. All of the CFRF’s projects are carried out by teams of scientists, educators, chefs, and members of the fishing industry that work together to develop the project idea, execute work components, and apply results. The CFRF’s efforts have resulted in new tools to reduce bycatch, better data for stock assessments, and a growing sense of trust and cooperation among fisheries stakeholders.
A major goal of the CFRF is to provide members of the fishing industry with the opportunity to help evolve and improve the management of fisheries resources and the efficiency of seafood supply chains. To do so, the CFRF has distributed over $1.5 million of compensation directly to fishermen for their participation, platforms, and invaluable input in CFRF projects. Conducting research and education that benefits that fishing industry is at the heart of CFRF’s mission, and we are very proud of our accomplishments to date.
In an effort to continue and expand our work, the CFRF is requesting your support during this giving season. Donations of all sizes help the CFRF to achieve its goal of building a community of collaboration among fishermen, scientists, resource managers, chefs, and educators that promotes sound science, public engagement, and sustainable seafood. You can donate to CFRF online, via mail, or in person.
Thank you!
Please Join the CFRF to "Taste the Ocean State" on August 12th!
On Saturday, August 12th, the CFRF will host "Taste the Ocean State: Celebrate RI Seafood" at the The KITCHEN at The Boston Public Market. Please read on to learn more about the event and how you can participate!
Event Information:
Summer in New England calls for seafood! But with over 100 different species harvested throughout the year, it can be difficult to choose your next meal. Join the CFRF for an afternoon getting to know the seafood that is harvested locally, meeting the fishermen who bring it to your plate, learning the ropes of preparing summer seafood dishes, and taste the results for yourself! This event includes:
- Lessons in local seafood diversity, availability, and sustainability
- Stories and videos from local fishermen
- Seafood cooking demonstrations with Chef Maureen Pothier and Chef Matt Britt from Johnson and Wales University
- Tasting of seafood dishes prepared by Chefs Pothier and Britt
- Coupons to Red’s Best for purchasing seafood after the event
- Seafood recipes and information to take home
- Lessons in the science of seafood sustainability from the CFRF
When: Saturday, August 12th, 1-3PM
Where: The KITCHEN, at the Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover Street, Boston, MA 02108
Tickets: This event is free and open to the public, but please RSVP here!
More Information: CFRF’s RI seafood webpage or Eventbrite .
Event Partners: Johnson & Wales University, The Trustees, RI Local Food Bazaar, Red's Best, Eating with the Ecosystem
We hope to see you there!
CFRF Completes Three Major Multi-Year NOAA Awards
The Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation (CFRF) is proud to announce the successful completion of three major multi-year NOAA awards spanning the past seven years. The awards were issued through the National Marine Fisheries Service with the funding secured through efforts made by U.S. Senator Jack Reed (RI-D). The work completed under these awards focused on supporting collaborative fisheries research projects important to the sustainable management of fisheries resources in the southern New England region, and involved some 151 members of the commercial fishing industry, 108 researchers and students, and 25 fisheries managers from Rhode Island and across the region. Anna Malek Mercer, CFRF Executive Director, noted that “the projects that CFRF supported and conducted through these awards demonstrate the importance of implementing a collaborative approach to fisheries research to produce applicable results and build trust between the fishing industry, science community, and management system.”
During the seven years of work, the CFRF administered $5.8 million that supported over 30 research projects covering subjects such as conservation gear engineering, bycatch reduction, lobster settlement and recruitment, spiny dogfish stock dynamics, discard mortality estimation, fish habitat characterization, shellfish larval dynamics, industry based biological data collection, underutilized species processing, state fishery profiles, and supplementary trawl and trap surveys, among others. Fred Mattera, CFRF Vice President and owner of the Northeast Safety Training Company, noted that “CFRF has been extremely successful in conservation engineering research, establishing a rich dialogue between fishermen and gear experts that has resulted in a number of new tools to minimize bycatch and promote sustainability”.
All of the supported projects are prime examples of collaborative research, as each was carried out by teams of scientists and members of the fishing industry working together through all phases of research, from the development of the research idea, to the execution of research protocols, analysis and sharing of results, and application to management. The results of these projects were far reaching, with the Lobster and Jonah Crab Research Fleet contributing to the 2015 lobster stock assessment and development of the Jonah Crab Fishery Management Plan, quahog and whelk research projects feeding data into state stock assessments and guiding management efforts, the development and distribution of modified fishing gear to reduce bycatch and improve selectivity in the small mesh trawl and dredge fisheries, and the advancement of fish habitat characterization in an area slated for offshore wind energy development. David Spencer, CFRF President and owner of the F/V Nathaniel Lee out of Newport, RI, further remarked that “The CFRF played a critical role in facilitating discussions between fishermen and scientists to develop research ideas, and ultimately in carrying those ideas through to project completion and management application.”
The CFRF will continue working to implement a collaborative approach to fisheries research, engaging the commercial fishing industry in research to address key issues in science and management. For more information about the CFRF and the projects conducted as part of the multi-year NOAA awards, please visit www.cfrfoundation.org.