Design and implement fisheries research projects

This standard is about designing and implementing fisheries research projects. It covers designing and implementing projects, that target identified research needs in fisheries, including reporting on the 
research outcomes to stakeholders and policy makers.

This standard requires the ability to obtain and control the following resources:

1. people
2. equipment
3. material
4. time
5. budget.

The research will incorporate both in-the-field and laboratory-based activities.

The relevant legislation controlling the application of this standard will vary depending on the location of the fishery in England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland.

1. confirm the purpose, scope and objectives of the fisheries research project(s)
2. confirm the need for fisheries research with stakeholders and policy makers
3. design and implement a fisheries research project(s) to meet the identified fisheries research need
4. identify any relevant site restrictions or designations that are in place
5. identify and obtain any necessary permissions, consents or specific licences required  to carry out fisheries research
6. identify appropriate research methods that enable the required fisheries data to be obtained with the minimum damage or disturbance to the fishery
7. plan and identify the resource requirements needed to implement the fisheries research project(s)
8. confirm that a risk assessment has been carried out and that organisational procedures are in place to protect the health and safety of those undertaking the fisheries research
9. confirm that appropriate measures are in place to protect the biosecurity of the fishery
10. select suitable formats and systems for capturing and storing fisheries data that conform to relevant data standards
11. plan appropriate data analysis methods that allow valid and reliable conclusions to be drawn to meet the fisheries research project(s) objectives
12. confirm that all those involved in the implementation of the fisheries research project(s) have all the required information available to complete the work
13. monitor fisheries data collection and analysis to confirm that it is being undertaken correctly
14. take the appropriate action where there are deviations from the fisheries research project(s) objectives
15. support the production of the final fisheries research findings and associated outcomes
16. disseminate and promote the fisheries research findings to stakeholders and policy makers
17. confirm that all relevant health and safety, environmental, biosecurity and legal requirements are adhered to

1. The purpose, scope and objectives of the fisheries research project(s)
2. how to design and implement fisheries research project(s) to enable relevant fisheries data to be collected
3. how to design and implement fisheries research project(s) to optimise the use of resources
4. the relevant research techniques used to collect fisheries data, and their associated resource requirements
5. the implications of the relevant site restrictions or designations that are in place on the fishery
6. the circumstances in which permission, consent or specific licences are required to collect fisheries data
7. the role and function of fisheries research
8. how to source research papers for fisheries research
9. the scientific literature that promotes fisheries science, management and policy
10. the stakeholders, and their role within the fishery
11. the policy makers who control and support the fishery and its management
12. the relevant national fisheries policy and management objectives
13. how to publish fisheries research papers
14. the communication and presentation techniques appropriate to the dissemination and promotion of fisheries research findings
15. fisheries science and its component parts, associated with the design of the fisheries research projects
16. the relevant health and safety, environmental, bio-security and legal requirements that relate to fisheries research projects