November 3, 2016 — The following was released by the Gulf Seafood Institute:

A $1.7 million Charter Boat data collection initiative led by the Gulf Seafood Institute (GSI) and technology partner CLS America, Inc. is so attractive that 230 Charter boat Captains are signed on and only 23 spots remain. The program enables Captains with newly installed satellite technology that wirelessly links to mobile tablets onboard to create a real time database with vessel and catch data.

Bob Gill, an effective mediator between federal fishery managers and irritated fishermen and industry during his years on the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, serves as the senior program director for GSI. He calls the first year participation rate “exceptional” and says it shows Captains in the Gulf of Mexico are willing to co-engineer a better fishery when given a clear opportunity to do so.

We caught up with Mr. Gill, a Gulf Seafood Institute board member, about the popular pilot program he’s managing. Here are excerpts from the conversation about how it all started, where it’s headed, and how to secure one of the remaining 23 slots. You can READ THE INTERVIEW HERE.