West Coast shrimpers are working with net makers and state agency biologists to try to reduce bycatch in the shrimp trawl fishery. Shrimpers in the Gulf and South Atlantic have been working with scientists and managers to develop bycatch reduction devices. Years of observations at sea have provided many fishermen with sophisticated knowledge about local marine ecosystems and specific species interactions. Though this type of information has not been systematically gathered through statistically designed sampling procedures, it could be used to supplement and refine existing studies, check the accuracy of prior assumptions, or even to define new studies. Canadians recognize the importance of fishermen's traditional ecological knowledge and have taken the lead in trying to find ways to best incorporate it into scientific studies.
Fishermen can also help scientists study the impacts of fishing gear on marine habitat.
For example, Alaskan fishermen are collaborating with biologists from the University of Alaska to investigate the impact of trawl gear on the benthic ecosystem. Through council testimony and participation in advisory groups, fishermen can also relay their unique insights into the economics and sociology of fishing communities, help managers predict the impacts of alternative management strategies, and recommend data and information that would be useful in assessing the socioeconomic impacts of fishery management measures. Benefits Of Cooperation Cooperative studies can benefit fishermen, scientists and managers in a variety of ways, each of which can ultimately result in improved fishery management decisionmaking. Relying on the financial resources and collective wisdom of all fishery stakeholders to meet information needs can enhance both the quality and quantity of the scientific information used to inform fishery management decisions. Decisions supported by enhanced information are subject to less scientific uncertainty and, consequently, reduced risk.