Data Collection Pilot Project
Better data is needed
Improving data collection in the for-hire sector is essential and the best way to do this is through the use of electronic logbooks and vessel monitoring systems on for-hire charter and party/head boats.
Using these tools for data collection will provide fishery managers with real-time or near real-time data that is more accurate and precise than current methods, will speed critical management decisions and will help develop trust and credibility between fishermen and fishery managers by creating a transparent data management system.
In order to demonstrate the ability of electronic logbooks to capture and transmit detailed harvest and landing data in near or real-time, SOS has partnered with Environmental Defense Fund to develop an electronic logbook system and a pilot project which will test to the system.
SOS has been diligent about meeting with the National Marine Fisheries and the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission to brief them on the project, get feedback, and make sure that we’re collecting the type of data that fisheries managers need.
Electronic Logbook Development
We are working with a company called Olfish to develop a custom electronic logbook program for for-hire boats in the Gulf of Mexico that will capture a variety of recreational information such as species caught, effort, landings, discards and much more. It is an advanced system for the electronic collection, transmission and tracking of fisheries data.
Olfish was selected because they are considered an international leader in the implementation of quantitative tools in fisheries science and management. For instance, Olfish is designing a custom product for the Government of Canada, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, as a part of its process to switch to electronic data collection.
Pilot Project
The primary goal of the pilot project is to demonstrate the feasibility of using the electronic logbooks to capture significant information regarding fishery participants, landings, discards, release mortality, geographic pressure and harvest effort.
In conjunction with the electronic logbook system, a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) will also be used to provide validate effort and to provide a communications platform from which to send catch data collected by the logbook to fisheries managers in real-time. We see VMS monitoring as an essential aid in facilitating and reducing enforcement shore side, assisting in scientific validation and providing an accurate method for determining effort.
Who will be involved?
The project will be conducted on a minimum of ten to fifteen for-hire vessels across the Gulf currently participating in the red snapper fishery. A full range of vessel sizes will be selected to reflect the actual dimensions of the for-hire sector.
What is the timeline?
The project will run for at least three months, beginning in early to mid-spring, with the distinct probability of expanding the study for the duration of the 2009 federal red snapper season.
Where will the information go?
During the pilot project test period, information from the electronic logbooks will be sent directly from the vessels while at-sea to shore side databases residing at NMFS, GSMFC, and the Dr. Bob Shipp’s lab at the University of Southern Alabama.
For more information, contact Gary Jarvis at gary@saveoursector.com.