There is no doubt in saying that the Fisheries Science Partnership is a role model of building close collaborative relationships between the fishing industry and scientists and on how to arrive at a shared view on the state of the fish stocks. The Fishery Science Partnership has been in operation from 2003 with £1 million funding each year.
The main objectives of the programme are proposals for projects are sought from industry, with the NFFO helping to facilitate this process. Proposals are sometimes further developed with the proposers by CEFAS scientists. Proposals are reviewed for to see if they can be delivered.
It is said that DEFRA officials, CEFAS scientists and English industry representatives reviews advises DEFRA on the proposals. DEFRA agree the projects to be undertaken. In order to ensure Value for Money for government funds the projects are put out to tender. The project ensuring best VFM is chosen by an Evaluation Panel. CEFAS scientists deliver the project with the successful skipper.
