A cooperation between the Dutch Ministry for Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, the Dutch fisheries Productboard and IMARES.
For several years fisheries managers, fisheries representatives and fisheries scientists have been working on improving cooperation for a better management of the Dutch demersal fisheries.
First there was the F-project, which aimed at improved stock assessments; better use of fisheries’ dependent data; and communication between all parties (2002-2007). Then, in 2008, a platform for Cooperative Research was set up. In the platform representatives of the fisheries, managers and scientists take place. Their common objective is to coordinate all ongoing projects that are relevant for management and to share information.
Thanks to the Cooperative Research platform, some new initiatives were started. One example is the cooperation between fishers and scientists around research surveys: fishers join scientists onboard research vessels to have a better understanding of what happens during the surveys and to be able to give constructive criticism on the surveys. Subsequently, discussions were started on an industry survey, in addition to the research surveys. Since 2009 it is being investigated how such an industry survey should be set up and how it may influence fisheries management. » More about Trajectory Industry Survey
These and other issues are being dealt with in the Cooperative Research Platform. A structural way of communication improves cooperation between parties and has a positive effect on innovative trajectories in fisheries management. The platform is funded by both the Ministry and the Productboard.