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Ultra Low Opening Trawl (ULOT) Study

Consent for Participation in Research

Project Title: Ultra Low Opening Trawl (ULOT) Study

Principal Investigators:
Aaron Whitman, Senior Research Associate, Gulf of Maine Research Institute, awhitman@gmri.org
Kanae Tokunaga, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist, Gulf of Maine Research Institute, ktokunaga@gmri.org

Introduction:
  • Please read this form, you may also request that the form is read to you. The purpose of this form is to provide you with information about this research study, and if you choose to participate, document your decision.
  • You are encouraged to ask any questions that you may have about this study, now, during or after the project is complete. You can take as much time as you need to decide whether or not you want to participate. Your participation is voluntary.
Why is this study being done?
You are invited to participate in a research project being conducted by the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. The purpose of the research is to understand industry interests in Ultra Low Opening Trawl (ULOT) net and conduct at-sea trials of ULOT in the groundfish fishery. ULOT net can avoid cod and haddock while allowing harvesters to target flatfish. The ULOT technology is considered a solution to the choke species problem. The study will assess economic and ecological benefits of the technology.

Who will be in this study?
  • You must be at least 18 years of age to participate.
  • Groundfish harvesters will be eligible to participate in the survey.
  • Among the survey respondents, six harvesters who expressed interest will be selected to participate in the ULOT at-sea trails.
  • You do NOT have to be in taking part in the ULOT at-sea trials to participate in the survey
What will I be asked to do?
  • If you agree to participate, you will be asked to respond to a set of questions online.
  • At the end of the survey, you will be asked to indicate whether you would be interested in participating in the ULOT at-sea trials.
  • By answering this survey, you will become eligible to participate in the ULOT at-sea trials, which will provide $6000 stipend and ULOT net custom designed to the vessel.
  • Five people will be selected among the survey respondents who expressed interests in participating in the ULOT at-sea trials
What are the possible risks of taking part in this study?
  • Except for your time and inconvenience, there are no direct risks to you from participating in this survey.
What are the possible benefits of taking part in this study?
There are no direct benefits to participating in the survey

What will it cost me?
  • Participation is free and no costs are incurred other than those for giving up your time in responding to the survey.
How will my privacy be protected?
No one outside of the project team will know about your participation within this study. Your name or other identifying information will not be reported in any reports, publications or conference presentations; data will only be published in summarized form to protect your anonymity.

If you are selected for ULOT at-sea trials, we will ask for your consent to provide additional information.
How will my data be kept confidential?
The research team will maintain the confidentiality of all data and records associated with your participation.

The survey response will be stored in secure online folders on an encrypted Box server securely managed by the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, indefinitely that has limited access to only project members. Identifying information such as your name and your vessel name will not be on the resulting data. A code will be used to protect your identity in the data set. A password protected key file will link your name and contact details to this code. This file will be kept separate from the rest of the project data on a password protected computer with additional security and in a secure folder within Box folder, which has limited access to only project members. This key file will be deleted by September 2027.

Your name or other identifying information will not be reported in any publications. We will notify you of research findings if you want using the information within the key file.

The research funding is provided by an anonymous foundation.

A copy of your consent form will be maintained by the principal investigator for at least 3 years after the project is complete before it is destroyed. The consent forms will be stored in a secure location that only members of the research team will have access to and will not be affiliated with any data obtained during the project.

What are my rights as a research participant?
  • Your participation is voluntary. Your decision to participate will have no impact on your current or future relations with the Gulf of Maine Research Institute.
  • You may skip or refuse to answer any question for any reason.
  • If you choose not to participate, there is no penalty to you and you. You are free to withdraw from this survey at any time, for any reason.
What other options do I have?
You may choose not to participate.

Whom may I contact with questions?
The researchers conducting this study are Aaron Whitman, Samantha Bengs, Ben Cotton, and Kanae Tokunaga at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. For questions or more information concerning this research you may contact Aaron Whitman at awhitman@gmri.org or Kanae Tokunaga, Ph.D., at ktokunaga@gmri.org (207-228-1696).

If you have any questions or concerns before, during or after your participation regarding your rights as a participant, to obtain information, offer input, or whom to contact in the event of a research related injury, you may contact the USM Office of Research Integrity and Outreach at 207-780-4517 and/or email usmorio@maine.edu. Information for participants
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