The Northeast Consortium was created in 1999 to encourage and fund
effective, co-equal partnerships among commercial fishermen,
researchers, and other stakeholders to become active participants in
cooperative research and development of selective fishing gear
technology.  As part of this effort, commercial fishing vessels will
be equipped and utilized as research platforms.  Commercial
fishermen and commercial fishing vessels from New Hampshire, Maine,
and Massachusetts are particularly encouraged to participate in
cooperative research using these funds; the expected focus of the
activities includes the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank.