Our group is working to develop a collaborative framework for integrating spatially-explicit fisheries data into a novel MPA-based population assessment. The Decision Tree model utilizes data from inside and outside marine reserves to set appropriate harvest guidelines, thereby overcoming mismatches in scale between population dynamics and management.

This project will formalize a system to identify and collect required data, and establish guidelines for ownership, distribution, and application of those data through a cooperative working group. Through facilitating collaboration between Santa Barbara commercial fishermen, policymakers, managers, stock assessors, and the university, we hope to improve the management of the grass rockfish and cabezon fisheries.

Desired project outcomes include:

1. •Technology and methodology for data collection, transfer, and storage
   

2. •Pursue the establishment of cooperative agreements between fishermen and managers in the nearshore finfish fishery
   

3. •Outline for incorporating data into a range of management strategies
   

4. •Cost comparison with current assessment and management regime