The original intention when the FSRS began was to implement a project to collect catch and effort, oceanographic and spawning information for groundfish species. The enthusiasm of members quickly took the FSRS well beyond the original data collection goal. By the end of the first year, members were collecting information not only on groundfish, but also for lobster, pelagic species, and shrimp. Since then, the FSRS has taken on a number of research projects, including:

As part of their participation in the above projects, fishermen have received training in fisheries science and the collection of scientific data, enabling them to participate in all facets of fisheries research, from identification of research questions, to development of project procedures and protocols, collection of data and peer review of the results. The fishermen have in many ways themselves become scientists on the water.