U.S. exempted fishing permits: Role, value, and lessons learned for adaptive fisheries management

Experimental fishing is a powerful tool to support adaptive management by exploring innovative fisheries practices, scientific approaches, and actions. In the United States, capacity interest exist use on-the-water experimentation test alternative ideas meet national standards of Magnuson-Stevens Act promote sustainable fisheries. One program, U.S. exempted permit (EFP) administered National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) within federal waters (3–200 nautical miles offshore), promotes as collaborative process between scientists, managers, industry develop creative solutions evolving challenges. Over period 11 years, 953 EFPs were issued in States. Yet, date no comprehensive analysis impacts, challenges, lessons learned have been documented across EFP program. Here, we developed first standardized nationwide database generated an overview program aimed at providing key for fishers, industry. The study evaluated both regional levels defined NOAA. We found that projects are industry-led, inclusive more participants, with strong programmatic partners informative outcomes. While differences NOAA regions contributed project outcomes their connection management, all programs would benefit from stronger documentation facilitate review learning strengthen utility broadly.