1) Use the structure of 'sectors' to make initial contact with fishermen, and then work with groups of like-minded fishermen (including members of the common pool) to capture/document urgent fisheries research needs, as perceived by the Northeast groundfish fishermen; these research needs may or may not involve gear conservation research and can extend across one or more sectors or interested groups of fishermen.

2) Coordinate workshops to:

• Review the gear focused research needs proposed by individual sectors;
• Finalize a list of high priority gear research;
• Finalize a ‘research gear pool’ wish list;
• Develop a schedule to address these research needs.

3) Establish a multi-institutional Gear Conservation Engineering & Demonstration Network Technical Committee (GEARNET TC) to:

• Undertake proof-of-concept gear conservation research projects in partnership with each individual sector and the common pool;
• Demonstrate fishing gear modifications and/or fishing sensor equipment to interested parties;
• Review project outcomes on completion of the sea trials to plan for a Phase Two of research.

4) Share research findings throughout the region and help fishermen adopt gear designs that have demonstrated their potential to:

• Reduce bycatch of non-target species, and/or
• Improve the energy efficiency of groundfish fishing activities, and/or
• Minimize environmental impact of fishing activities.