April 15, 2026 — Our cooperative research team works with industry partners across New England and the Mid-Atlantic to collect fish and invertebrate samples to better understand age, growth, reproduction, and bioenergetics. These samples fill data gaps during times of year and areas without surveys or other ways of collecting fish samples.
For example, we have collected herring samples to evaluate skipped spawning events. We have also collected haddock samples to study reproductive dynamics in the Gulf of Maine, where extreme fluctuations occur. We recently collected critical data from weekly samples of longfin squid to advance the understanding of longfin squid life history. This will provide data to support the 2026 longfin research track stock assessment. Since the program began in 2009, we have collected samples from more than 35 species from over 70 fishing vessels.
“I’ve been a fisherman for a long time, but doing cooperative research has been great for learning even more about the biology of squid,” shared commercial fisherman and industry partner Mark Philips. “It’s a breath of fresh air to work with the staff. Their excitement for science motivates me to continue to collaborate and it’s clear they have our back.”