Three distinct pilot fleets comprising different vessel size categories are included in this pilot project. The first fleet is large Southern New England trawlers from New Bedford, Massachusetts, to Narragansett, Rhode Island. The second fleet is the small hook vessels based out of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The third fleet is the medium-sized trawlers and gill-netters from Cape Ann, Massachusetts, to Mid-Coast Maine.

Perot Systems Government Services has been contracted by NMFS to assist in the management of the CRPI Study Fleet Program. Three associations were awarded contracts to assist PSGS with this project. The Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen's Association (CCCHFA) will manage the small hook and gillnet vessels. The Gulf of Maine Research Institute will manage the medium-sized trawlers and gill-netters. The Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences will manage the larger offshore trawlers.

December 2003 Study Fleet Newsletter
(PDF file, 259 K)