Reef Fish Extension

Overview

This regional project brings together Sea Grant fisheries Extension specialists, university scientists, and fisheries managers to strengthen communication between stakeholders, researchers, and managers. Traditionally, information has flowed from scientists to managers to stakeholders. This initiative flips that model by actively engaging with fishermen and other stakeholders to identify their most pressing research needs and communicate those needs back to the scientific and management communities. Funded with $2.4 million by the National Sea Grant Office in 2021, the project focuses on outreach and Extension programming related to reef fish across the Gulf of America and South Atlantic.

The effort emphasizes collaboration through annual stakeholder surveys, Advisory Panel meetings, and county-specific fishing reports, all designed to inform research and management. Key research efforts include the Gulf of America Great Red Snapper Count, the South Atlantic Red Snapper Research Program, and the Greater Amberjack Research Program—each aiming to improve stock assessments and inform sustainable fisheries management. Outreach tools like the South Atlantic Release Rodeo and the SciFish app also help gather critical data while engaging the fishing community directly.