High quality, timely and unbiased data are essential requirements to support evidence-based management decision-making . Data may be obtained from a wide variety of sources, including dedicated fisheries-independent research surveys or as part of a commercial fisheries-dependent data collection programmes which can be used for resource assessments.  

MRAG can provide expert advice on and practical implementation in a wide range of fisheries and environmental surveys. We have conducted a wide variety of survey designs and analysis, including marine and freshwater acoustic surveys, fisheries pre-recruit surveys, fisheries observer programmes, aquatic fish biodiversity, socio-economic and market surveys, in addition to designing entire national fisheries data collection programmes. Integral to survey design and analysis is appropriate data management tools to ensure data quality control and quality assurance.

Specific project experience includes the survey design and implementation of an acoustic and dropline survey of deep slope demersal resources within the southwest Indian Ocean, in addition to designing and implementing a baseline fish survey to determine freshwater fish biodiversity in Sierra Leone.

 

Projects

Title Region End Date
Scientific and technical advice for the management of maritime waters in British Indian Overseas Territory (BIOT)

A 200 nautical mile Fisheries Conservation and Management Zone (FCMZ) was declared…

Indian Ocean
Study on mitigation measures to minimise seabird bycatch in gillnet fisheries

The main objective of the study was to identify technical solutions, both economically…

Europe
Development of a fishing fleet management and licensing system

Seychelles, under the Third South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Governance and Shared…

Indian Ocean
Second Review of the ICCAT Atlantic-Wide Research Programme on bluefin tuna (ICCAT GBYP PHASE 6-2016)

The Atlantic-wide research programme for bluefin tuna was officially adopted by the…

Atlantic Ocean
FRAMEWORK CONTRACT for services related to coordination between the different marine regions in implementing the ecosystem approach

The overall objective of the framework contract will be to support the coherence of…

Europe
Acoustic and Exploratory Dropline Surveys

MRAG provided an acoustic expert to plan and implement as cruise leader five acoustic…

Indian Ocean
South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Fisheries Management.

The work undertaken by MRAG for Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich…

Atlantic Ocean
Environmental Support for Exploration Operations for Offshore Falkland Islands

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process and associated environmental support for…

Atlantic Ocean
MRAG Project UNOPS Diadromous Fish Passage/Fish Ladder Expert

The objectives of this study were to assess fish passages/fish ladders on five dams on…

Middle East
Fish biodiversity survey of Mabole/Tabai and Rokel/Seli Rivers

This project assessed the potential environmental impacts on the fish communities of…

Africa
Field Study to assess some mitigation measures to reduce by-catch of marine turtles in surface long line fisheries (FISH/2005/28)

 

There have been wide-scale concerns regarding the numbers of turtles…

Europe
MRAG Project Bumbuna Hydroelectric Project: Baseline fish survey

An environmental assessment was conducted on the Bumbuna Hydroelectric scheme in 1996…

Africa
Evaluation and Uptake Promotion of Data Collection Guidelines for Co-Managed Fisheries

This project aimed to further evaluate the utility of the guidelines developed by…

Asia
MRAG Project Feasibility Study for an Indian Ocean Tuna Tagging Programme (RTTP) (including further services)

The objectives of this project were to undertake a comprehensive feasibility study for…

Indian Ocean
MRAG Project Evaluation of DFID (Department for International Development, UK) support for sustainable agriculture)

Following the Rio Summit of 1992, DFID devised a Sustainable Agriculture Strategy (SAS…

Europe
GEF Pollution control and other measures to protect biodiversity in Lake Tanganyika.

Lake Tanganyika is an international water body that is an important resource for the…

Africa
Management information systems on the Fisheries Sector of Bangladesh

The project aimed to identify actions required to improve upon the existing collection…

Asia