By Olivia Tansley, Development Coordinator

We were thrilled to host Portland Greendrinks along with Maine Businesses for Sustainability (MBS) in July. It was a great opportunity to provide guests with fun ways to learn more about GMRI and the work we do.  We created “learning stations” on each of our three floors to highlight our Vital Signs science education program, Gulf of Maine Responsibly Harvested seafood branding program, gear technology research, and lobster research. The learning stations were a big hit, but the most engaging part of the experience for the GMRI staff, interns, and board members who attended was talking with others throughout the evening. It’s always great to make new connections, learn about what others are up to, and talk about what makes GMRI such an exciting organization.

Profit = total revenue – total cost.

As complicated as economics can be, this rudimentary formula is the standard for successful business owners that seek long-term viability and profit maximization.  Commercial fishermen throughout New England also adhere to this principle when making business decisions around costs, such as fuel, gear, and vessel maintenance.  In addition to managing these day to day and long term operations, there are also ongoing efforts to reduce environmental impacts to ensure sustainable utilization of natural resources.  Balancing these two objectives leads one to ask, is it possible to reduce fishing operational costs while simultaneously minimizing environmental impacts?

Both fishermen and researchers believe this is achievable and are collaboratively testing innovative technologies that may be able to widen a fishermen’s profit margin, while at the same time reducing potential environmental consequences.  For instance, take a look at the collaborative research that our colleagues at New Hampshire Sea Grant are currently engaged in.  NH Sea Grant’s GREEN-FIT project will apply modifications to a New Hampshire fisherman’s vessel that could result in such cost saving benefits as 30% increased fuel efficiency and extending the life of motor oil.  In addition to the money saved, the modifications could potentially reduce the ecological footprint of the vessel’s operations.

NH Sea Grant’s initiative parallels the work that GMRI’s Research Scientist, Steve Eayrs, is conducting.  Steve is working with fishermen to apply an Environmental Management System (EMS) to their fishing operations.  An EMS is a comprehensive and systematic strategy used in assessing operational inputs that influence costs and environmental burdens.  The approach utilizes applications such as energy audits, fuel flow meters, and gear modifications to measure what fishing strategy will result in optimum efficiency, resulting in reduced costs and environmental impacts.

Both of these projects are still on-going and results have yet to be fully analyzed, but this research strives to improve the economic and ecological sustainability of the region’s fishing industry, while rewarding local fishermen who are engaged in such efforts.

Jon Loehrke, Collaborative Research Technician

I just returned from a five-day cruise onboard the F/V Lady Jane out of Gloucester, MA. This was a trip focused on testing the feasibility of cod-end catch sensors for sector vessels. A cod-end catch sensor is a device that is placed on the end of a trawl net (cod-end) and measures the spread of the twine mesh. Once the mesh spreads a certain distance, due to an increased volume of fish, the sensor sends a “full” signal to the vessel.

As you might imagine, it can be very beneficial to know how many fish are in your gear!

This is especially true under groundfish sector operations, where the vessel can be penalized for catching too many fish. That is why Joe Orlando (F/V Padre Pio) approached Dan Salerno (former GMRI employee who is now managing Northeast Fishing Sector II); Libby Etrie, Southern Sector Coordinator at GMRI; and the staff at the Northeast Seafood Coalition to craft the proposal for this project. (A classic example of cooperative research at its finest!)

I have been out in the field testing three catch sensors (shown at right): Simrad PI50 (cylindrical yellow), Notus Trawl Master (red), and the Netmind catch sensor (square yellow). GMRI has a contract with six vessels and we are interested to know how effective the sensor may be as a tool to help manage the sector allocation, reduce bycatch, shorten bottom contact, conserver fuel, and improve catch quality.

We have many more sea-days to go before the project is complete. Early results indicate that the catch sensor is a viable tool for sector operations. As captain Dan Murhpy (F/V Bantry Bay) testifies: “Before I fretted that I would come out here and accidently make a large tow. Now I can fish and be assured that I’m not likely to exceed my allocation.”

Many thanks go to the captains and crew of the F/V Lady Jane, Horizon, Lisa Ann II, Bantry Bay, Julie Ann II, and Capt. Dominic. Simrad Fisheries graciously donated equipment without which this project would not have been feasible. Thanks also to Libby and Dan for putting this project together. It is a fantastic example of how GMRI can step up to catalyze some serious change within our bioregion.