Since 2018, Coonamessett Farm Foundation (CFF) has partnered with commercial fishermen to better understand the benthic environment of Nantucket Shoals and how it influences the Atlantic surfclam (Spisula solidissima) fishery. This work was developed in collaboration with industry, NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, and the New England Fishery Management Council to address key questions related to surfclam access and habitat conditions within the Great South Channel Habitat Management Area.

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Current work focuses on the Davis Bank East research exemption area. Using a multibeam sonar system aboard the F/V Tom Slaughter, we map seafloor bathymetry and substrate characteristics. These surveys are paired with drop camera deployments from the F/V Seafox, which provide high-resolution imagery used to ground-truth acoustic data and quantify substrate composition, including rock size and habitat complexity.

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Annotated imagery also documents epifauna such as blue mussels (Mytilus edulis), bryozoans, and hydrozoans, and mobile species including crabs (Cancer spp.) and skates (Leucoraja spp.). In parallel, participating vessels conduct commercial fishing in designated areas, with CFF scientists collecting catch and effort data from a subset of trips, including location, landings, and biological measurements of surfclams and bycatch.

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This collaborative project is industry-supported through a research set-aside–like model, where participating fishermen contribute a portion of landings to fund research activities. Together, these data provide critical insight into habitat conditions, fishing dynamics, and the potential effects of harvesting in a highly productive and dynamic offshore environment.