UK government, Scottish pelagic fishers to collaborate on scientific research

The Scottish Pelagic Fishermen's Association (SPFA) and the UK government's Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on working together on scientific research and its application to fisheries management.

The MOU outlines how SPFA and CEFAS will work in partnership to maximise the benefits on the collection and analysis of scientific data on pelagic stocks, as well as the development of science research.

The MOU covers:

• Knowledge sharing on pelagic science issues and priorities – so that options on how the industry and CEFAS can work together to address them can be considered
• Identifying and developing new collaborative research – engaging in research initiatives that are consistent and mutually beneficial with respect to SPFA Science Plan and CEFAS Science strategy
• Collaboration on the development of surveys for pelagic fish stocks – defining priorities, design and development of surveys
• Joint planning of scientific surveys using industry vessels – to support the UK commitment as a coastal state to undertake scientific surveys where a SPFA vessel may be required as a research platform
• Fostering continuous improvement in pelagic fish stock assessment – application of new data, knowledge, and development of future methods