Announcing the 2026 Forage Fish Research Program Data Workshop
On Thursday, June 4th, the Forage Fish Research Program (FFRP), a public-private partnership among Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI), leading academics, and the Florida Forage Fish Coalition, will host the 10th Annual Data Workshop at FWC’s FWRI HQ in St. Petersburg.
The Data Workshop provides an opportunity for the FFRP to update interested stakeholders and the academic community on the work being done on Florida’s forage fish by FWRI, FFRP Data Partners, and FFRP graduate student Fellows. The highlights of the Workshop are the presentations by current FFRP Fellows, who will share their research findings on traditional forage fish research as well as the broader environmental and climate impacts on forage fish habitat. This year’s Fellows are Alex Walus from the University of Florida and Meredith Pratt from the University of Central Florida.
Following the Data Workshop, a request for proposals will be published, and the FFRP will accept proposals for 2026-2027 graduate student Fellowships. Thanks to the continued generosity of Fish Florida, this competitive Fellowship awards $20,000 per Fellow.
Over nearly a decade, the FFRP has funded 17 graduate student Fellowships, resulting in 11 peer-reviewed scientific publications, and many Fellows have gone on to pursue research-focused careers at universities and state and federal natural resource agencies. The FFRP represents a ‘win-win-win’ scenario for Florida’s fisheries, including aquatic natural resource research, developing the next generation of marine scientists, and an improved understanding of the ecosystem roles of forage fish and the environmental connections to better angling opportunities for the public.
Led by the IGFA, the Florida Forage Fish Coalition includes the Pew Charitable Trusts, Wild Oceans, Fish Florida, Florida Wildlife Federation, Angler Action Foundation, American Sportfishing Association, and the Tampa Bay Estuary Program.
For more information, please visit the FFRP website here and check out our annual newsletter here.