Page updated on 11/29/07
 

Breaking Down the Barriers:
Fishermen, Scientists and the Media
 

     This facilitated workshop explored ways that fishermen, scientists, and the media can communicate more effectively with each other. The panel included fishermen, scientists, and representatives from both print and broadcast media. The format was a roundtable discussion, with representatives of the media, scientific community, and the fishing industry sharing their views of the world. After the initial presentations by panelists, the floor was opened up for the audience to participate. Participants learned how a story is prepared and will leave with some tools to use to get their stories told. Issues to be addressed included: How can media stories have economic consequences for the fishing industry? How does a reporter decide which leads to follow? Who decides what is newsworthy? How can fishermen get their stories told? The session ended with a question for all participants: “What are the stories looming in 2004 that need to be told?”

Host:   Paul Anderson, Maine Sea Grant