Narragansett -- February 24, 2003 -- Nearly every fisheries management strategy is a source of heated debate, none more so than marine protected areas (MPAs). What MPAs are, how they work, and how they relate to fisheries management are topics that will be addressed at a workshop to be held Saturday, March 1, at the University of Rhode Island Weaver Auditorium at the Coastal Institute in Kingston.* The workshop runs from 1 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. and is open to the public.

The workshop brings fishermen, researchers, managers, environmental organizations, and the public together to consider the effects of existing protected areas in New England, to examine assessments of no-take zones—one type of MPA—from different perspectives, and to explore research findings and fishermen’s perspectives on a Canadian case study of closed areas on the Scotian Shelf, among other topics. This MPA workshop is part of a series of educational workshops on fisheries topics sponsored by the Northeast Sea Grant programs and the National Marine Fisheries Service. The workshops provide a science-based platform for discussion aimed at resolving critical fisheries issues. Written summaries of each workshop will offer a focus for continuing discussion in policy deliberations.

The MPA workshop is free, but pre-registration is required. To register or for more information, contact Laura Skrobe at (401) 874-9360 or LSkrobe@uri.edu. More information about the MPA workshop and the other fisheries educational workshops is available at http://seagrant.gso.uri.edu.

*Please note: This venue has been moved from the originally scheduled location.