CFRF - WHOI Shelf Research Fleet

Profiles Collected to date

876

(as of March 25, 2024)

General Description:

The CFRF, in partnership with scientists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), operates a fishing vessel research fleet to conduct bi-weekly oceanographic sampling across the continental shelf and slope south of Rhode Island. The purpose of the project is to study changes in oceanographic conditions, particularly temperature, in order to better understand how these changes may impact the distribution and abundance of key fisheries resources.

Project Goals:

The project aims to: 1) Measure the seasonal transitions and stratification patterns over two years to examine the development and breakdown of the seasonal thermocline, and 2) Assess the frequency, timing, and extent of onshore penetration of warm, saline intrusions of slope and Gulf Stream waters onto the continental shelf. The long-term goal is to understand how changes in large-scale forcing, including Jet Stream position, affect seasonal stratification and transitions, annual temperature and salinity extremes, and cross-shelf exchange processes during a period of rapid change.

Project Team:

Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation
- Noelle Olsen - CFRF Project Lead
- Linus Stoltz
- N. David Bethoney
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
- Glen Gawarkiewicz
- Frank Bahr

PARTICIPANT VESSELS:

F/V Brooke C - Point Judith, RI
F/V Cailyn and Maren - Little Compton, RI
F/V Finast Kind II - Tiverton, RI
F/V J-Mar - Point Pleasant, NJ
F/V Mister G - Point Judith, RI
F/V TNT - Barnegat, NJ

Interested in participating in the Shelf Research Fleet ? Please review the CFRF Shelf Research Fleet Briefing Document and submit a CFRF Shelf Research Fleet Vessel Application!

Data Collection Strategy:

Fishermen participating in the Shelf Research Fleet deploy a CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, Depth instrument) over the side of their vessels on a bi-weekly basis to collect vertical profiles of temperature and salinity from designated zones within the study area. The data obtained is available for viewing onboard the fishing vessel using iPad tablets. Fishermen have the option of entering notes regarding general observations, such as tides, weather conditions, bottom type, and targeted species in the fishing area to submit as supplementary information to the scientists receiving the CTD data. Participating fishermen will have a chance to participate in workshops with WHOI scientists to share their on-the-water observations about fish movements in the study area, discuss the data collected, and help interpret the results.

Project Timeline:

July 2014 - May 2017 – Phase I of the Shelf Research Fleet, focused on training fishermen how to collect oceanographic data, testing equipment and sampling protocols and, establishing a data management system and online data portal (supported by The MacArthur Foundation).
June 2017 – August 2019 – Phase II of the Shelf Research Fleet, focused on bi-weekly collection of oceanographic data by fishermen, analysis of data in the context of changing ocean conditions, publication of peer-reviewed manuscripts, and communication of project approach and results to coastal communities (Supported by The van Beuren Charitable Foundation).
September 2019 – September 2022 – Phase III of the Shelf Research Fleet, focused on bi-weekly collection of oceanographic data by fishermen, analysis of data in the context of changing ocean conditions, publication of peer-reviewed manuscripts, and communication of project approach and results to coastal communities (Supported by The van Beuren Charitable Foundation).