Question Period Note: Lobster Science Partnership Roundtable

Lobster Science Partnership Roundtable

The Lobster Science Partnership Roundtable brings together Fisheries and Oceans Canada scientists, Indigenous partners, commercial fishing representatives, and other key researchers to chart a common course for lobster science.

The Roundtable will build on existing knowledge and partnerships, and create new opportunities to collaborate and increase our scientific knowledge on lobster.

Members will identify important lobster science research questions, identify new areas of work, and discuss how we can work together.

• The Lobster Science Partnership Roundtable was established to bring together Fisheries and Oceans Canada scientists, Indigenous partners, commercial fishing representatives, and other key researchers to discuss important lobster science research questions and priorities, identify new areas of work and discuss how to effectively work together.
• The Roundtable had its first meeting on June 15, 2021, to discuss the focus of the partnership. There were over 40 participants.
• Participants discussed research questions and priorities, specific lobster science projects they would like to undertake, and what they could each contribute. They expressed support generally for the Roundtable, and the discussion also touched on the steps needed to grow an effective partnership, including how best to work together and future engagement.
• Research priorities raised included lobster biology, ecology, and sustainable harvest, including impacts of climate change on productivity, harvest timing, life history, population structure, effects of temperature on the fishery and modeling long-term sustainability.
• The Roundtable is striving to keep interactions informal to promote a collaborative atmosphere and forum where participants can feel comfortable exchanging ideas.
• Next steps include organizing the next Roundtable discussion and establishing lobster science themes for organizing more specific discussions.

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