The Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary Foundation (CIMSF) has created a program to involve stakeholders in cooperative research, resource assessment and protection.

The program will provide basic marine science and management technique training to fishers AND information to scientists on how fishers can assist them with research . During this pilot year participants will also select a project, design and conduct field work, evaluate the program and recommend improvements.

The program is based on a partnership, facilitated by the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (CINMS), of:

• local marine researchers
• commercial fishers
• and the regional resource management agencies:
  • National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
  • California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG)
  • and CINMS.

This partnership will investigate resource management questions of interest to the participants. Commercial fishers will participate in a variety of roles including project selection and planning and as research assistants. The program is designed to collect needed resource management information in a cost-effective manner and build excellent relations between marine stakeholders. It will also provide a unique opportunity for scientists to access the local knowledge of fishermen and use their abilities to collect data.

An educational website, DVD, and video will be produced as a result of this collaboration. This website will reflect the development of these products and be the workspace for this partnership.