Table of Contents

• Dataset Description
• Data Files
• Parameters
• Deployments
• Project Information
• Program Information
• Funding

"Development of Tagging Methods for Monkfish, Lophius americanus"

A controlled experiment to test effects of tagging on survival of monkfish and to investigate tag retention. Thirty-four monkfish ranging in size from 40-78 cm were captured in gillnets on Dec. 11-15, 2006, and transported to the lab as described above except that time from capture to release in the lab was reduced to a maximum of 12 hr and Amquell was used in the on-board tank and transport coolers. The transport coolers were also dosed with Slime Coat at the recommended concentration. The fish were held for up to six weeks in two tanks (2600 gallon) supplied with ambient (5- 8 oC) running seawater. Eighteen monkfish were tagged 4-10 days after their arrival in the laboratory, the remaining 16 fish were left untagged to serve as controls. Nine tagged fish and 8 control fish were placed in each tank. We attempted to match controls and tagged fish for size and condition. We offered food (squid or capelin) daily; however, the food was rarely taken. The experiment was terminated 40 days after the final batch of monkfish was tagged. Remaining monkfish were euthanized, released or held for longer term observation. Survival curves of tagged and control fish were compared using Proc Lifetest (SAS System, Allison 1995)

final report

Related dataset: monk_tag_surgery

The Northeast Consortium encourages and funds cooperative research and monitoring projects in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank that have effective, equal partnerships among fishermen, scientists, educators, and marine resource managers.

Priority areas for Northeast Consortium funding include selective fishing-gear research and development. The development of selective fishing gears that enhance gear selectivity, target healthy stocks, reduce bycatch and discard, reduce or eliminate technical barriers to trade, minimize harvest losses, and improve fishing practices. Studies of new and developing fishing gears and technologies aimed at reducing environmental impact is funded under Project Development.

At the 2008 Maine Fisheremen's Forum, the Northeast Consortium organized a session on data collection and availability. Participants included several key organizations in the Gulf of Maine area, sharing what data are out there and how you can find them. 

The Northeast Consortium has joined the Gulf of Maine Ocean Data Partnership. The purpose of the GoMODP is to promote and coordinate the sharing, linking, electronic dissemination, and use of data on the Gulf of Maine region.

The Northeast Consortium was created in 1999 to encourage and fund effective, equal partnerships among commercial fishermen, scientists, and other stakeholders to engage in cooperative research and monitoring projects in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank. The Northeast Consortium consists of four research institutions (University of New Hampshire, University of Maine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), which are working together to foster this initiative.

The Northeast Consortium administers nearly $5M annually from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for cooperative research on a broad range of topics including gear selectivity, fish habitat, stock assessments, and socioeconomics. The funding is appropriated to the National Marine Fisheries Service and administered by the University of New Hampshire on behalf of the Northeast Consortium. Funds are distributed through an annual open competition, which is announced via a Request for Proposals (RFP). All projects must involve partnership between commercial fishermen and scientists.

The Northeast Consortium seeks to fund projects that will be conducted in a responsible manner. Cooperative research projects should be designed to minimize any negative impacts to ecosystems or marine organisms, and be consistent with accepted ethical research practices, including the use of animals and human subjects in research, scrutiny of research protocols by an institutional board of review, etc.