Public Private Partnership Focuses on Sustainability through Science

April 17, 2013 Washington, DC The National Fisheries Institutes Clam Committee has announced a sustainability partnership with the National Science Foundation. As part of the partnership the Foundation has established a five year grant designed to help fund the new Science Center for Marine Fisheries (SCeMFiS), a public-private effort to support research on sustainable fisheries in the Mid-Atlantic and Gulf Coast regions. In creating SCeMFis the partners hope to help federal and state agencies generate the necessary scientific data to determine stock assessment and fishery health.

The National Science Foundation, an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950, promotes the progress of science; advances the national health, prosperity, and welfare. It is considered the leading research organization in the country.

The NFI Clam Committees own long history of sponsoring sustainability research makes this new partnership an exciting one. Clam Committee Chairman, Guy Simmons of Sea Watch International, believes the National Science Foundations support of SCeMFis is a testament to their valued research.

This additional support for SCeMFiS will add to the research available to managers and help ensure Americas clam fisheries remain healthy and robust. The fact that the NFI Clam Committee is involved in this important partnership with the National Science Foundation illustrates our members commitments to the long term health of the nations marine resources, said Simmons.

Initial areas of clam research will involve survey data quality, optimal survey clam density, and spawning stock biomass. The SCeMFiS work will be directed by highly regarded fisheries scientists, Dr. Eric Powell of the University of Southern Mississippi and Professor Roger Mann of William and Marys Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

Established more than 20 years ago, the NFI Clam Committee helps ensure sustainability by sponsoring independent research. Members include Atlantic Shellfish, Blount Fine Foods, Galilean Seafood, J H Miles & Company, Sea Watch International, and Snows Doxsee.

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