Atlantic Mackerel and Atlantic Herring Cooperative Research Initiatives

Dr. Sarah Salois

 

Dr. Sarah Salois, lead of the Sampling Program for Atlantic Mackerel (SPAM). 

At the November meeting, Dr. Sarah Salois, NEFSC will present the details of the Atlantic Mackerel and Atlantic Herring Cooperative Research Initiatives. SBCBA Captains that have participated in the study will be part of the presentation, Capt. Rob Savino & Capt. Tom Depersia. Dr. Sarah Salois will share details on the program, the role of local Captains in gathering critical research data and preliminary results of the program, with focus on the spawning seasonality component of the MackPack initiative. Atlantic mackerel support fisheries worth about $23 million a year, yet have been understudied for over 50 years. Through the Sampling Program for Atlantic Mackerel (SPAM), part of the MackPack cooperative research initiative, recreational and commercial fishermen from Maine to Virginia collect about 50 whole mackerel weekly for two years. Scientists use the samples to pinpoint spawning times and improve stock assessments. Captains receive coolers, shipping labels, and compensation.