Scientists - Is collaborative research for you?
“Collaborative research brings together different
perspectives and different desired outcomes. We all develop our own blinders.
We can always benefit from getting another perspective.” -
Brian Culver, scientist with WA Dept.
of Fish and Wildlife
“We need to harness fishermen's knowledge
and scientist's methodologies.” -
Dave VenTresca, marine biologist, CA
Dept. of Fish and Game
Scientists who have participated say this:
- Using fishing vessels is more cost effective than using research vessels. They are a lot easier to schedule and we can expand both the quantity and frequency of research.
- There is so much work to be done. We need the fishermen: the volume of research they can produce, their energy, expertise and ideas.
- It engenders trust and understanding between their world and ours. It breaks down barriers.
- The knowledge that the fishermen bring improves the quality of the research.
- Once you try it, you know it is invaluable.
Read advice from other fishermen:
Chartering your vessel for research
You need to be open minded
- A collaborative research project might take longer to set up. It requires a mutual education process with more deliberation and discussion in the design phase as the different participants work to align their ideas.
- Fishermen new to research will need to be informed as to what makes a statistically sound scientific approach.
- Fishermen and scientists come from two different worlds. One scientist said, "We need marriage counseling." You will need to be patient and persistent with each other.
- You may have less control than you are accustomed to if you are truly collaborating with a fisherman.
- You are representing the scientific community. A negative experience is not soon forgotten.
Logistics
- Fishermen are used to being paid as soon as their work is done. For many of them today's work pays for tomorrow's fuel.
- The research protocol may need to be designed to compensate for a variety of research platforms and the limitations of onboard equipment may challenge your ingenuity.
- The vessel owner may need additional insurance if he has you onboard.
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