NAFC to share skills
The NAFC Marine Centre has teamed up with the Fisheries Research Services (FRS) in Aberdeen to combine skills in the area of aquatic resource management more effectively.
The Shetland Fisheries Research Fund (SFRF) has been set up to make joint funding available for topics deemed scientifically valuable by the newly-formed board comprising FRS and NAFC members.
Programme director Bill Turrell said: “FRS and NAFC have worked together for many years. However, this new agreement cements the partnership between the two organisations.
“NAFC’s location offers us exciting opportunities to work collaboratively on the fisheries and unique environments surrounding Shetland.
“Having a science partner in Shetland makes much sense from the point of view of gaining from local understanding of fisheries and the environment, as well as from more practical considerations such as reducing travel and carbon emissions.”
NAFC director David Gray, a fellow board member, said: “We are delighted to formalise this new working partnership with FRS.
“Part of our strategy at the centre is to explore and strengthen links with other institutions as we continue to carry out high quality relevant research on Shetland’s fisheries and marine environment.
“Shetland is already a leader in marine science and technology and we welcome this opportunity to expand our research work further.”
The SFRF will first look at how best to sample Shetland demersal, pelagic and shellfish fisheries. It is hoped this initial work will be a stepping stone towards expansion into other areas of partnership in marine research and development.
