The Marine Resources Education Program (MREP) is a neutral and objective education program to empower fishery participants to effectively engage in federal fisheries science & management processes at the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC). Designed by and for fishery users impacted by federal fisheries management decisions, MREP provides fishermen an opportunity to gain insight into who is involved and how decisions are made in the NPFMC process. The program also provides the opportunity to learn how fisheries health and potential are assessed, and how that information influences fisheries regulations and policy that ultimately lead to outcomes on the water.
If you’re interested in shaping the fisheries you’re involved in, apply for the workshop today! Preference will be given to applications received by October 12. Learn more at mrep.gmri.org. Applicants will be updated with their status by October 24.
MREP Fisheries Science & Management Workshop
February 23-27, 2026 | Juneau, AK
Apply today! Visit: mrep.gmri.org/apply
Fisheries science
• Data collection (fisheries dependent + independent)
• Local and traditional knowledge task force
• Fishermen’s science + collaborative research
• Scientific uncertainty and how it is handled
• Survey methodology
• Oceanography
• Stock assessment overview (groundfish)
• Scientific specs for other species
• Lab tour for hands-on learning
Fisheries management
• Magnuson-Stevens Act and other laws that pertain to Council decision-making
• Council process overview
• Federal fisheries management (bodies, how they integrate)
• Robert’s Rules (the “language” used at the Council)
• A mock council exercise
• How to get involved – bringing it all together!
Each year, MREP brings together a diversity of fishery users including commercial, charter, recreational and subsistence fishermen with scientists, managers, and other marine resource professionals in the North Pacific fisheries region to learn and network in a neutral and casual yet professional setting.
The workshop is free to participants. In addition, through grant funding, we pay for your travel to/from the workshop, and your meals and accommodation during travel as well as at the workshop.
Seats are limited. The program managers at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) will facilitate a collaborative applicant review call with a subset of the MREP North Pacific Steering Committee to determine which applicants will be accepted into the 2026 workshop. If not accepted, we will ask if you wish to be considered for MREP the following year (dates not yet set). Our goal is to bring together a group representing a variety of perspectives across the region. If we do not have a seat for you this year, we will carry your application forward for next year’s applicant review.
Regional industry and community leaders involved in shaping this workshop are available to respond to inquiries about the workshop:
mrep.gmri.org/mrep-industryleaders/north-pacific
MREP is managed by a neutral facilitator at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI). General questions about the program should be directed to Lauren O’Brien, MREP Senior Program Manager, (978) 844-2354 or lobrien@gmri.org.