There is hereby established, within the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Institute, the Marine Fisheries Research Council, whose purpose shall be to conduct analysis and research relevant to the management by the federal and state governments of commercial and recreational fishing.

Said council shall consist of the Director of the Division of Marine Fisheries, who shall act as its chair, the Chancellor of the University of Dartmouth, a representative of each Massachusetts institution of higher learning participating in the research work of the council, and members representing commercial and recreation fishing as follows: 1 representing commercial ground-fishing by trawling, 1 representing commercial ground-fishing by gillnet, 1 representing commercial ground-fishing by hook, 1 representing recreational fishing by vessel, 1 representing recreational fishing conducted from shore, and 2 representatives of environmental organizations.

The council shall solicit the participation of the Massachusetts institutions of higher learning and research organizations, and shall coordinate their efforts to conduct research projects as directed by the council, and which seek to maximize collaborating and interaction with those in commercial and recreational fisheries in the Commonwealth so as to produce relevant, timely, and credible research to inform fisheries management by the state and federal governments.