Southeast Region Headboat Survey

The Headboat Survey began in 1972 in North Carolina and South Carolina. It has since expanded to cover the entire southeastern U.S including the Gulf of Mexico. This survey was originally designed to provide indices of abundance of reef fishes. These indices were derived from headboat estimates of annual catch, catch per unit effort (CPUE), length frequencies, and mean weights. In subsequent years up to the present, the survey has change very little with the exception of the expanded geographic coverage and technological advances.

In 1976 coverage was expanded to Cape Canaveral, Florida. The SAFMC requested the survey be expanded further in 1978 to include all vessels from Cape Hatteras, NC to Key West, Fla. (Dixon and Huntsman, draft). It wasn't until 1986 that the GSFMC made the request for the Gulf of Mexico to be include in the headboat survey. This coverage has remained unchanged since 1986, however, many vessels have entered and left from this fishery and the various ports within this range. In 1972 the headboat survey included a total of 30 vessels, while currently the survey includes 96 vessels in the southeastern U.S. and 94 in the Gulf of Mexico.

The headboat survey, operated by the Beaufort Laboratory of the SEFSC, collects biological data from headboats fishing in the southeastern United States from North Carolina through Texas. The data comes from two primary sources: actual biological information collected by the sampler, and individual vessel trip reports (VTR) provided by vessel personnel participating in the fishing trip. Biological samples are obtained opportunistically based on priority, and these samples are used to generate life history information (e.g. growth, maturity) necessary for stock assessments. The biological information consists of species, lengths, weight, and often biological samples such as otoliths, stomachs, gonads. One of the most valuable pieces of information for stock assessments obtained from the headboat program is abundance indices computed from CPUE data. Currently the survey includes 96 vessels in the southeastern U.S. and 94 in the Gulf of Mexico.

The NMFS Southeast Zone Headboat Survey collects data on the catch and effort for a vessel trip. This includes information on the landing date and location, vessel identification, the number of anglers, a single fishing location (10' x 10' rectangle of latitude and longitude) for the entire trip, the type/duration of the trip (half/three-quarter/full/multi-day, day/night, morning/afternoon), and catch by species in number and weight.

Survey coverage varied with time and geographical location. Estimates of headboat catches were based on: (1) weights of individual fishes, and (2) records of the number of each species taken each trip. Survey samplers, who were on duty throughout the local fishing season, collected with data directly from catches made in an assigned region of responsibility.

Guidelines from sampling were that each vessel be visited one or more times in 10 to 14 days, and that highly repetitive sampling from any vessel be avoided. Fish sampled for weight were taken most often from catches of vessels that landed the largest numbers of fish.

The majority of samples were obtained from dockside during unloading or at nearby fish houses where catches were cleaned. Occasionally sampling occurred at sea during fishing. Samplers worked on board to allow more time for gathering biological materials and for educating crew members of the importance of cooperation in the program.

Samplers were trained to identify approximately 60 of the most common species in each region, and were provided with numerous guides and keys to assist them in species identifications. Fish weights and other pertinent data were recorded on a form and subsequently mailed to the Beaufort Laboratory for processing.

On almost every headboat, the daily catch was record recorded by a crew member, usually a mate.