FY24 CFRF Annual Report Digital : simplebooklet.com

TABLE OF CONTENTSA Letter from our President.........................Organization Overview................................Our Projects................................................Featured Project..........................................Outreach Highlights.....................................Our Collaborators........................................Collaborator Spotlight..................................Our Team....................................................Financial Snapshot......................................Support Us..................................................03040608101214161819SUSTAINABLEFISHERIES

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As I reflect on the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation’s list of projects for Fiscal Year 2024, ithighlights the crucial role of robust, sound science in addressing current challenges and questions infisheries. Remarkably, CFRF undertook 29 projects with only 15 full-time staff members, which is amonumental task for a small, primarily grant-funded non-profit organization. Long-term projects like the Lobster and Jonah Crab Research Fleet, Shelf Research Fleet, and BlackSea Bass Research Fleet have become essential data sources for stock assessments and decision-making processes. Initiatives such as Testing Electronic Gear Marking, Piloting Squid Jigging and FishJigging, Ghost Gear Removal, and developing an Ike-Jime market provide valuable insights for ourindustry as pilot programs. Many of these projects aim to navigate the current landscape of Ocean Multi-Uses (for example, offshore wind development) while exploring alternative gear applications. The success of these initiatives reflects the strong leadership of Executive Director David Bethoney,along with the commitment and enthusiasm of the CFRF staff. Collaborating with fishermen at every stageof a research project has fostered a relationship that enriches our fisheries-dependent data collection,ultimately enhancing our efforts for better research and effective technologies aimed at achievingsustainable fisheries. This year, I was also elated to learn about CFRF’s “Norbert Stamps Southern NewEngland Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Science Meeting Student Award.” As someone whowas dedicated to research and building connections within the community, this award truly embodiesNorbert’s spirit and contributions to the field. Currently, we have even more research proposals under review and are focusing on expanding ourstaff to meet project obligations. As CFRF continues to grow, we are working closely with the University ofRhode Island to obtain approval for the construction of a new building next to the Commercial FisheriesCenter of Rhode Island. This will provide additional office space and storage for our gear. Thank you,CFRF, for paving the way for our industry's success, and thanks to everyone who supports the CFRF.A Letter From Our PresidentFred MatteraRetired Commercial FishermanDirector, Commercial FisheriesCenter of Rhode IslandPresident, Commercial FisheriesResearch FoundationPresident, CFRFFrederick J. Matterapage03CFRF 2024 Annual Report

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OrganizationOverviewOur mission is to conduct and support research and education projectsthat promote sustainable fisheries. We aim to generate and share betterinformation and effective technologies that benefit individuals andbusinesses dependent on commercial fishing, seafood consumers, andthe broader public.The Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation is a Rhode Island-based501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by commercial fishermen toconduct collaborative fisheries research and education projects.MISSIONBACKGROUNDpage04CFRF 2024 Annual Report

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Completed ProjectsNew ProjectsOngoing Projectspage05CFRF 2024 Annual ReportOurProjectsThis year, we worked on 29 diverseresearch and education projects.Our projects ranged from our flagshipResearch Fleets, to conservationgear engineering studies, pilotingalternative fishing gear, removingghost gear, conducting offshore windfarm impact surveys, and everythingin between. Together with ourcollaborators, our team tackledvarious subjects and gathered dataaimed at promoting sustainablefisheries.

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Engaging the Fishing Community to Understand Disease and Reproductive Dynamics of Atlantic SeaScallop (ScallApp Phase 1)Establishing Methods to Assess Sea Scallop Biological Condition in Relation to Wind FarmDevelopment Facilitating and Attending Global Ghost Gear Initiative WorkshopsTesting An Electronic Gear Location Marking ApplicationUnited Nations Global Ghost Gear Initiative Fishermen Interviewspage06CFRF 2024 Annual ReportFiscal Year 2024ProjectsAssessing the Vulnerability of the Atlantic Sea Scallop Social-Ecological System in the NortheastWaters of the USBlack Sea Bass Research FleetExploring the Feasibility and Market Potential of a Common Spider Crab Fishery in Southern NewEnglandLobster and Jonah Crab Research FleetRemoving Ghost Gear From Rhode Island WatersRevolution Wind Ventless Trap SurveyRecent Changes in Shelfbreak Exchange on the Northeast Shelf: Process-Oriented Observations ofSalinity Maximum IntrusionsSea Scallop Image-Based Research FleetShelf Research FleetSouth Fork Wind Farm Beam Trawl SurveySouth Fork Wind Farm Fish Pot SurveySouth Fork Wind Farm Ventless Trap SurveyWhelk Research FleetCreating an Informed Implementation Strategy for Automatic Squid Jigging through KnowledgeExchangeDetermining the dose- and range-dependent impacts of windfarm noise on stress in the AmericanlobsterExploring the creation of a new seafood market segment that would enhance the resiliency of small-scale commercial fishing industry in Rhode Island (Ike-Jime)Fostering the Development of Automatic Squid Jigging in Southern New EnglandMonitoring a New Year-Round Species in Southern New England, Black Sea BassMonitoring Technologies for Ghost Gear and BiodiversityPiloting Mechanical Jigs for Resilience of Sustainable Fishing to Wind Farm DevelopmentRevolution And Sunrise Wind Trawl SurveyReducing Small Sea Scallop and Sand Dollar Catch Through Dredge Bag ModificationsSouth Fork Wind Farm Acoustic SurveySouth Fork Wind Farm Jigging Survey

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Looking ForwardAchievementsBackgroundpage07CFRF 2024 Annual ReportFeaturedProjectTHE BLACK SEA BASSRESEARCH FLEETWe are grateful to the Atlantic Coastal Cooperative StatisticsProgram for funding the first phase of the Black Sea Bass ResearchFleet. As that chapter comes to a close, we are also thankful toSenator Sheldon Whitehouse for securing the next phase of fundingfor this project. This project would not be possible without the hardwork of our fishermen collaborators, and we appreciate theirdedication to collecting data throughout the years. We will continueto contribute data to the stock assessment and look for even moreways to expand the Research Fleet to increase its impact.Fiscal Year 2024 was a big year for the Research Fleet, with manynew milestones met during this time. These achievements include:Surpassing 70,000 black sea bass sampledContributing data to the stock assessment for northern blacksea bass for the first timeLaunching an extension project to assess the overwintering ofjuveniles in Rhode Island waters based on observations ofResearch Fleet participantsPresenting information on this project at 6 scientific andindustry eventsSecuring new long term funding to ensure the Research Fleetcan continue sampling for years to comeIn recent decades, black sea bass populations have surged off thecoast of Southern New England, likely related to climate change.This resulted in data gaps for the fishery, so the Black Sea BassResearch Fleet was established in 2016 by the CFRF and theRhode Island Department of Environmental Management to help fillin these gaps. This project applies our signature Research Fleetapproach, through which fishermen collect data on black sea bassduring commercial fishing activities using the CFRF’s custom-designed tablet application, On Deck Data.

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page09CFRF 2024 Annual Report4 StudentsSupportedWe are dedicated to training the next generation offisheries scientists and were happy to support 4 studentinterns. Thanks to Sophie Bacas, Maddie Sachs, SlateNorthington, and Fiona Teevan-Kamhawi for their hardwork and help throughout their internships!21 EventsAttendedOur staff attended 21 events across 9 states and 3countries to learn about other research and share ourwork with members of the fishing industry, sciencecommunity, and public.Outreach Highlights2 PapersPublishedWe are committed to sharing the results of ourresearch and were proud to publish 2 manuscripts inpeer-reviewed scientific journals. Both papersanalyzed data collected by our Lobster and JonahCrab Research Fleet and are open access.6,292 pounds ofSeafood DonatedWe donated 6,292 pounds of seafood caught duringour scientific surveys through the CommercialFisheries Center of Rhode Island’s Seafood DonationProgram. This program provides free seafood to localmembers of the Rhode Island community.

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page10CFRF 2024 Annual Report8 External ResearchProjects SupportedWe were happy to support research projects beyondthose actively conducted by CFRF. This includedfacilitating field sampling and providing data orsamples to individuals at organizations includingNortheastern University, the University of RhodeIsland, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth,the University of New Hampshire, Fundy NorthFishermen’s Association, and independent fishermen.10 Events Hosted+ Co-HostedOur team hosted or co-hosted 10 educational eventsthroughout the year. These events included workshops forindustry members to learn about our research results andprovide input, public outreach events, a press releaseevent with Senator Jack Reed for our new Fishermen onthe Frontlines initiative, a spider crab tasting event, and aninternational offshore wind farm knowledge sharing event.We were proud to have worked with RiverzEdge Arts, afellow Rhode Island-based non-profit organization, tocreate and debut a new logo for the CFRF. Our aim wasto design an emblem that represents our roots as afishing industry-founded and -led organization whilealso highlighting that we are committed to allcommercial fisheries, not just fish! 1 NewLogo

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Our CollaboratorsAll of the work we do at the CFRF relies on productivecollaborations. In Fiscal Year 2024, we collaborated with: FishingVessels58GovernmentAgencies6Universitiesand Colleges9OtherOrganizations16Our collaborators range from members of the fishing industry, stateand federal government scientists and managers, faculty and staff atuniversities, and others from various organizations. We are incrediblygrateful to all the individuals who collaborated on our projects over thepast year from the following fishing vessels, companies, andorganizations.page11CFRF 2024 Annual Report

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page12CFRF 2024 Annual ReportFiscal Year 2024Project CollaboratorsCape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s AllianceCenter for Coastal StudiesCommercial Fisheries Center of Rhode IslandConnecticut Department of Energy andEnvironmental ProtectionDon Coxe Consulting, LLCEating with the EcosystemFearless Fish MarketThe Global Ghost Gear InitiativeGulf of Maine Lobster FoundationINSPIRE EnvironmentalJapan Fishing MachineJohnson & Wales UniversityMassachusetts Department of Marine FisheriesMartha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation TrustMaine Department of Marine ResourcesNew England Marine MonitoringNOAA FisheriesNortheastern UniversityRhode Island Sea GrantRhode Island Department of Environmental ManagementRutgers UniversityScripps Institute of OceanograpySouth County Fish MongerSustainable Fisheries, LLCThe Nature ConservancyThe Town DockUniversity of ConnecticutUniversity of Rhode IslandVirginia Institute of Marine ScienceWoods Hole Oceanographic InstitutionUniversity of Massachusetts Dartmouth School for MarineScience and TechnologyF/V Amelia AnneF/V Ashley Ann IIF/V Bay AnnF/V Brooke CF/V Cailyn and MarenF/V Carole ColesF/V Catherine AnnF/V Debbie SueF/V Deborah HF/V EndeavorF/V Erica KnightF/V Finast Kind IIF/V Gabrielle ElizabethF/V Gladys ElaineF/V Harvest MoonF/V Heather LynnF/V HelltownF/Vs Huntress andWestport*F/V J-MarF/V Johnny BF/V Judith AnnF/V Karen AnnF/V Karen ElizabethF/V Kathy AnnF/V Kristin and MichaelF/V Linda and LauraF/V Little FeatF/V Little TaterF/V Marika CF/Vs Matrix, Lucy Rose,and November Gale*F/V Megan and KelseyF/V Miss EmmaF/V Miss JulieF/V Mister GF/V NegotiatorF/Vs Nemesis andMidnight OurF/Vs New Hope andEstrela Domar*F/V Peggy B IIF/V Priority TooF/V ProviderF/V Rachel LeahF/Vs Ragged Edge andCristina Faith*F/Vs Redemption,Negotiator, andPatriarch*F/V Right StuffF/V Robert CF/V Roen KeilF/Vs Salted and ElJefe*F/Vs Savannah Paigeand Ruthless*F/V Sea QuestF/V Sea RavenF/V SelectF/V Susan LF/Vs Sweet Miseryand More Misery*F/V TNTF/V TraditionF/V Tricia LynnF/V Virginia MarieF/V Yes I Am*F/Vs listed together have the same owner

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Captain Rick Bellavance has previously served on the CFRF Board of Directors and has collaborated onvarious projects with the CFRF, including the Black Sea Bass Research Fleet and Piloting MechanicalJigging studies. While he has enjoyed all the projects he has been involved in, he holds a particularfondness for the Black Sea Bass Research Fleet. This project allows him to participate in data collectionfor stock assessments and see how this data may influence future regulations. He also appreciatesconducting CFRF projects during his charter fishing trips, as the public enjoys learning about andcontributing to scientific efforts. Rick believes that the work of the CFRF is beneficial to both the scientificand fishing communities, as it provides a broader range of data across time and space, fosters a strongrelationship between scientists and fishermen, increases confidence in the collected data, and alleviatesthe “black box” feeling associated with research.Owner and Captain of F/V Priority TooRick BellavancePrimary Fishery(s): Charter, Commercial Rod and ReelYears Fishing: 35 Years Working with CFRF: 12Since beginning his work with the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation three years ago, CaptainJake Wiscott has actively contributed to projects aimed at engaging the fishing industry in tracking scallopdisease and reproductive status, as well as testing modifications to scallop dredge bags to reducebycatch. One project he particularly enjoys is the scallop dredge modification initiative, which heconsiders his "pet project." This opportunity has allowed him to collaborate closely with CFRF staffscientists and observe real-time results, both positive and negative, which he finds intriguing. He believesthat the CFRF serves the fishing community as a whole by collecting valuable data that can influencefuture fishing practices. Captain of F/Vs Susan L. and Sea QuestJake WiscottPrimary Fishery(s): Scallops, Squid, Black Sea Bass, Fluke, ScupYears Fishing: 20 Years Working with CFRF: 3 page13CFRF 2024 Annual ReportCollaboratorSpotlightWe are deeply grateful for the dedication of ourcollaborators to ensure projects collect data thatbenefits both the scientific and fishing communities.

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Don Coxe has worked with the CFRF since 2012 when we developed our first custom fisheries datacollection application (app), On Deck Data. On Deck Data was originally developed to collect data onlobsters and has since been expanded to include Jonah crabs, black sea bass, quahogs, sea scallops,and whelks. Given the success of On Deck Data, CFRF has also worked with Don to develop our citizen-science data collection app for scallops (ScallApp) and, this year, to develop a new and improved app todownload and communicate water temperature data collected by our Lobster and Jonah Crab ResearchFleet called Trap Temp. His expert knowledge, dedication to ensuring product quality, and advice hasbeen invaluable to the CFRF’s efforts to create cost- and time-efficient methods for fishermen to collectdata at sea.page14CFRF 2024 Annual ReportCaptain Al Eagles has worked with the CFRF since the launch of our first Research Fleet, the Lobster andJonah Crab Research Fleet, in 2012. He has been a dedicated member of this Research Fleet and hasalso expanded his participation to include the Black Sea Bass Research Fleet and our project to removeghost gear from Narragansett Bay. One of Al's favorite aspects of collaborating with the CFRF issurveying the ventless lobster traps used in the Lobster and Jonah Crab Research Fleet project. Thesetraps provide a clearer picture of the lobster population and allow him to observe more juvenile lobsterswhich are typically not seen due to the vents in his commercial traps. Al believes that the work of theCFRF plays a crucial role in collecting data that would not be otherwise collected in traditional scientificsurveys. Additionally, he thinks that this work is advantageous for the fishing industry by providing moreaccurate data for assessments and various applications.Owner and Captain of F/V Catherine AnnAl EaglesPrimary Fishery(s): Lobster, Crab, Miscellaneous Harvest FishYears Fishing: 64 Years Working with CFRF: 13Owner of Don Coxe Consulting LLCDon CoxeDeveloper of On Deck Data appDeveloper of ScallApp appDeveloper of Trap Temp app (formerly Ocean Temps)“The work of the CFRF plays acrucial role in collecting data thatwould not be otherwise collected intraditional scientific surveys.”

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OurTeamPeople are the backbone of our organization. From our Board of Directors,made up of members of the fishing industry and shoreside support sectors,to our hardworking staff who execute CFRF’s projects, pursue new avenuesfor research, and ensure our results are impactful, we are grateful to thepeople who make our success possible.FY 2024 STAFFN. David Bethoney, Executive DirectorDouglas BranderVincent DeingeniisSusan InglisMichael LongLuca McGinnisJack MooreNoelle OlsenMatthew RodriguezRebecca SmoakElizabeth SorannoLinus StolzVictoria ThomasHannah VerkampTeresa WinnegBOARD OF DIRECTORSFred Mattera, PresidentJohn Kennedy, Vice PresidentChristopher Lee, TreasurerKatie AlmeidaDonald FoxJeffrey GrantJonathan KnightMichael MarchettiChristopher RoebuckMark SweitzerJon Williamspage15CFRF 2024 Annual Report

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Financial Snapshotpage17CFRF 2024 Annual ReportAs a non-profit organization, we rely on grants, contracts, and othercontributions to carry out our research and education projects. We aregrateful to the funding agencies and individuals who made our work thisyear possible. TOTAL EXPENDITURES$4,688,265MONEY DISTRIBUTED TO THE FISHING INDUSTRY$2,473,460All of our projects involve members of the fishing industry, and this year wewere proud to distribute over 52% of our award dollars back into thefishing industry itself.This brings the cumulative total money distributed to the fishingindustry by CFRF in the past five years to:$6.64 millionNon-Federal Awards84%Federal Awards15%Donations<1%

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page18CFRF 2024 Annual ReportDonations of all sizes help us achieve our goal of building acommunity of collaboration among fishermen, scientists, resourcemanagers, and the public. The Commercial Fisheries ResearchFoundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation and all donationsare tax-deductible. Scan the QR code to make a one-time donation. Looking for another way to support the CFRF? We now have aRhode Island Charity License Plate available for pre-order! Visitwww.cfrfoundation.org/license-plate to learn more.Thank you for being a part of our journey!Thank you for taking the time to read our annual report and your interest in our work.We are excited to share our progress and achievements with you, and we appreciateyour engagement as we work together towards our mission.Thank You For Your Support

FY24 CFRF Annual Report Digital

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