Lots of Talk About the Recent Cooperative Research Summit—Here’s What They’re Saying

In early April, the Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program joined us in hosting our fourth annual Northeast Cooperative Research Summit in Riverhead, Long Island, New York. It focused on bringing scientists and fishermen together to build research partnerships to address science and management needs.

Participants included the commercial and recreational fishing community, commercial fishing advocacy groups, non-governmental organizations, academic and non-profit research institutions, federal, state, and local agencies, and blue tech startups. They come to the Summit with purpose and goals for what they hope to achieve.

Here's what some of them had to say about their Summit experience and what it meant to them. Their reflections help us better understand participants' overall satisfaction of the event, hear their thoughts on the format and value of the presentations and breakout sessions, and identify ways to improve future Summits.

Fishermen's Insights

"I enjoyed networking with new folks and others I have not seen in a while, and was re-energized to continue to help answer questions that will make better management." -Rick Bellavance, F/V Priority Too, Rhode Island

"The Cooperative Research Summit is the most valuable cooperative research networking event in the region. It brings together industry, scientists, and managers in one room, and the conversations I've had here have directly resulted in new cooperative research projects and lasting industry partnerships." -Joe Letourneau, F/V Lady Rebecca, New Hampshire

"The Summit has developed into fertile soil for new ideas to take root and a place for all interested parties to meet and begin new relationships. I always learn so much and really appreciate the opportunity to participate. Keep up the good work!" -Eric Hesse, F/V Tenacious II, Massachusetts

Building Trust, Relationships, and Solutions

"Industry are the ones who are on the water day in and day out. They have the real-world experience and knowledge that complements any science. By listening and responding to industry feedback, we're able to continue to develop trust and confidence in the work being done. This helps build and foster relationships, where industry can communicate issues to researchers, and vice versa, to cooperatively come up with solutions." -Scott Curatolo-Wagemann, senior educator, Cornell Cooperative Extension

"I come back because the positivity is constant. Cooperative research is something I believe in highly so I make it a priority to be here, even if it is a long drive. To see fishermen, talk to them and get their perspective on things-It's really important to come together and actually have conversations. You actually build more trust doing these things and interacting in person." -Aaron Whitman, senior research associate, Gulf of Maine Research Institute

"Normally I work remotely so it's great to be around 150 or so other people who are interested in the same things as me. I'm working to develop a data visualization tool that can help a lot of audiences so we are always looking for feedback. But it's hard to get that without being in the same room as other people who are looking at the computer and bouncing ideas off of each other. We got a bunch of useful feedback and I'm really excited to try and implement those suggestions." -Finn Wimberly, research assistant, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

General Impressions of the Summit

"Having the fishermen ask questions before anyone else sets the precedent that their voices are being valued." -Aaron Whitman, senior research associate, Gulf of Maine Research Institute

"I thought the overall schedule was extremely well coordinated. Most importantly, I thought the serious focus on integrating fishermen's knowledge with research was invaluable for the future of both science and resource conservation." -Chris Reeves, project manager, Ocean State Sensing

"This was the best summit by far. Between the fishing tours, welcome reception, the entire day of talks and the networking, etc. The structure of this summit was perfect and broke up the day really well. The breakout sessions were productive and engaging. The closing reception was so amazing. Truly the best meeting ever. I look forward to it every single year." -Sam Alaimo, doctoral candidate, Rutgers University

Reflections from Graduate Students

"I'm new to the cooperative research space and this was my first Summit. I went from knowing little to nothing about the state of cooperative research in the region to gaining a solid understanding of the many technical and interpersonal ways it is practiced and what it is shaping up to be in the future." -Malachy McCaffrey, graduate student, University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography

"As a graduate student it was an amazing experience. I will be graduating this summer and hearing about the different opportunities and research being conducted was really great. Attending the Summit really makes me want to get into the field and out from behind my computer screen." -Stephanie Arsenault, doctoral candidate, Stony Brook University

"This was the best conference I've attended as a grad student because the cooperative nature of the summit coerced a level of productivity that is rarely seen at other conferences. From networking and meeting useful contacts, to learning of new datasets and research that could greatly inform my own endeavors, there was a lot of productive networking and conversations." -Arthur Mabaka, doctoral candidate, Stony Brook University