CARICOOS collaborates with MREP educating fisherman about how science plays a major role in recreational and commercial fishing

For the past years, CARICOOS has been collaborating with the Gulf of Maine Research Institute in their annual Marine Resource Education Program (MREP) Workshop. MREP has been helping commercial and recreational fishers comprehend the complex nature of fisheries and how local organizations and agencies work together in fisheries management. One key factor that has made this program a very successful one is that it was designed by fishermen for fishermen to help those in the industry understand better the science behind fishery management and how science plays a major role in the regulatory process.

This year, the three-day workshop was held on August 23-25, 2019 at La Parguera, Lajas. As part of the second day, the 42 participants had the opportunity to visit UPR-Mayagüez Marine Sciences Department’s Laboratories, learn more about Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System (CARICOOS) products and services and obtain decisional support for efficient and productive marine operations.

In addition, they participated in group exercises and discussions, which were very successful in terms of overcoming the barriers between science and commercial fisherman and thus bring together fishermen, scientists, and managers in a neutral scenario (outside the regulatory process) to increase the number of fishermen who collaborate in scientific research.

The 2019 MREP Workshop was very successful, thanks to the collaboration between the Caribbean Fishery Management Council, Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and the UPRM Marine Sciences Department.

For more information please visit www.gmri.org