Saving Seafood

Announcing the 2019 Marine Resource Education (MREP) Program Southeast

March 12, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute is pleased to announce the Marine Resources Education Program (MREP) in the Southeast fishery region.

MREP provides fishermen and others with an interest in federal fisheries with an opportunity to gain insight into how fisheries data are collected and how those data lead to regulations.

MREP brings together commercial, charter, and recreational fishermen with scientists, managers, and other marine resource professionals from the South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean to learn, share insights, and network in a neutral and professional setting. Participants leave the program empowered and better prepared to be a voice in federal fisheries management.

The two-part workshop series is free to selected participants and includes meals, travel, and accommodation. Seats are limited.

MREP Southeast Fishery Science Workshop
May 7-9, 2019
Hollander Hotel
St. Petersburg, FL

MREP Southeast Fishery Management Workshop
November 19-21, 2019
Westin Tampa Bay
Tampa, FL

Applications to participate can be found at: gmri.org/mrepsoutheast
The program principals are available to respond to inquiries about the workshop:

* Bob Gill, Commercial Fisherman and Seafood Retailer, at (888) 833-1844
* Dave Webb, Recreational Angler, at (901) 606-1886

General questions about the program should be directed to Alexa Dayton, MREP Senior Program Manager, Gulf of Maine Research Institute, (207) 228-1645 or adayton@gmri.org.

Electronic Log Book Project at 88% of Goal; only 23 Vessel Spots Remain for Charter Boat Improvement Program

November 3, 2016 — The following was released by the Gulf Seafood Institute:

A $1.7 million Charter Boat data collection initiative led by the Gulf Seafood Institute (GSI) and technology partner CLS America, Inc. is so attractive that 230 Charter boat Captains are signed on and only 23 spots remain. The program enables Captains with newly installed satellite technology that wirelessly links to mobile tablets onboard to create a real time database with vessel and catch data.

Bob Gill, an effective mediator between federal fishery managers and irritated fishermen and industry during his years on the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, serves as the senior program director for GSI. He calls the first year participation rate “exceptional” and says it shows Captains in the Gulf of Mexico are willing to co-engineer a better fishery when given a clear opportunity to do so.

We caught up with Mr. Gill, a Gulf Seafood Institute board member, about the popular pilot program he’s managing. Here are excerpts from the conversation about how it all started, where it’s headed, and how to secure one of the remaining 23 slots. You can READ THE INTERVIEW HERE.