2503
Southeast Region Headboat Survey
Headboat Survey
Project
Published / External
21321
FISHERIES MONITORING
Project
In Work
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 GMFMC 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.
Theme
SEFSC
BeaLab Eco Metadata Portfolio
Theme
headboat
Theme
headboat survey
Theme
length frequency
Theme
logbook
Theme
otoltih collection
Theme
party boat
Theme
recreational fishery
Temporal
full day
Temporal
half day
Temporal
multiple day
Temporal
trip
Spatial
Florida
Spatial
Georgia
Spatial
Gulf of Mexico
Spatial
South Atlantic
Spatial
Southeast region
Spatial
dockside
Spatial
inshore
Spatial
offshore
Stratum
anglers fished
Stratum
area
Stratum
day
Stratum
distance from shore
Stratum
month
Stratum
number anglers
Stratum
pay type
Stratum
species
Stratum
state
Stratum
trip type
Stratum
vessel
Stratum
vessel type
Stratum
year
Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Beaufort
NC
USA
CCFHR NOAA NMFS Beaufort Laboratory 101 Pivers Island Road, Beaufort, NC 28516
Project
Yes
Magnuson-Stevens Act
Observer
Federal
Electronic and Paper
Data Steward
2021
Person
Brennan, Kenneth J
kenneth.brennan@noaa.gov
101 Pivers Island Road
Beaufort
NC
28516
252-728-8618
252-728-8784
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM EST/EDT
Data Steward
2014
2021
Person
Fitzpatrick, Kelly E
Distributor
2015
Organization
Southeast Fisheries Science Center
SEFSC
75 Virginia Beach Drive
Miami
FL
33149
USA
(305)361-5761
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/southeast-fisheries-science-center
About SEFSC
Online Resource
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST
Metadata Contact
2014
2021
Person
Fitzpatrick, Kelly E
Point of Contact
2014
2021
Person
Fitzpatrick, Kelly E
-98
-75
36
23
There are 26 coded areas in states: NC, SC, GA, FL, LA and TX.
Continuing
1972-01-01
1972 Headboat survey begins
1972 begins headboat survey from Cape Hatteras, North Carolina to Hilton Head, South Carolina.
Continuing
1976-01-01
1976 headboat survey expanded
1976 the headboat survey was expanded from Cape Hatteras, North Carolina to Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Continuing
1978-01-01
1978 headboat survey expanded
1978 the headboat survey was expanded from Cape Hatteras, North Carolina to Key West, Florida.
Continuing
1986-01-01
1986 headboat survey expanded to include the Gulf of Mexico
1986 the headboat survey was expanded to include the Gulf of Mexico, from Naples, Florida to the Texas/Mexico border.
Confidential
Waiver Needed
Read and sign for NOAA Administrative Order 216-100
Read and sign System Access Application (see URLs)
Access is restricted to personnel authorized in accordance with NOAA Administrative Order 216-100. A signed non-disclosure agreement must be on file for all authorized personnel.
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/50-years-celebrating-history-southeast-region-headboat-survey
Online Resource
Web story Headboat Program
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/southeast/recreational-fishing/southeast-region-headboat-survey
Landing Page SEFSC Headboat Program
Online Resource
1972-01-01
Robert Dixon
From 1972 through 1975 the survey included vessels fishing in NC and SC, however, it did not include boats in SC that targeted black sea bass. In these early years BSB were not consider part of the snapper grouper complex, consequently, these vessels were omitted from the survey.
1973-01-01
Robert Dixon
Black sea bass were recorded in 100lb boxes on trip reports. The boxes were converted to pounds and recorded in the CAUGHT field (number of fish) in the CR dbase from 1973 to 1977.
1978-01-01
Robert Dixon
Black sea bass were recorded in pounds of fish on trip reports. These pounds were recorded in the CAUGHT field (number of fish) in the CR dbase from 1978 to 1987.
1988-01-01
Robert Dixon
Black sea bass were recorded in pounds of fish on trip reports. These pound were recorded in the WEIGHT field in the CR dbase files. The estimated numbers of fish were derived by converting pounds to kilograms, and dividing by mean weight. Recorded this way from 1988 to 1989.
1990-01-01
Robert Dixon
Black sea bass were recorded in pounds of fish on the trip reports. These pounds were recorded in the CAUGHT field (number of fish) in the CR dbase files from 1990 to 1991.
1992-01-01
Robert Dixon
Black sea bass were recorded by numbers of fish and weights (pounds) of fish on trip reports. In the bdase files, numbers of fish are in the CAUGHT field and weights of fish are in the WEIGHT field. Recorded this way from 1992 to present.
Oracle Database
National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fishery Science Center, Beaufort Laboratory. 2015
SRHS
Southeast Region Headboat Survey
VTR
vessel trip reports
Headboat
Headboat is a vessel licensed to carry 7 or more anglers in the EEZ (3-200 miles)of the South Atlantic and 15 or more anglers in the EEZ (10- 200 miles) of the Gulf of Mexico.
46034
Document
Headboat Data Evaluation.
67933
Document
The NMFS Southeast Region Headboat Survey: History, Methodology, and Data Integrity
27640
Data Set
Southeast Region Headboat Survey-Angler Effort Estimates
27641
Data Set
Southeast Region Headboat Survey-Bioprofile
8663
Data Set
Southeast Region Headboat Survey-Catch Records
30408
Data Set
Southeast Region Headboat Survey-Compliance tracking holds list
27642
Data Set
Southeast Region Headboat Survey-Dockside validation data
30409
Data Set
Southeast Region Headboat Survey-Headboat Activity Report
27638
Data Set
Southeast Region Headboat Survey-K-factor files
27639
Data Set
Southeast Region Headboat Survey-Landings Estimates
27644
Data Set
Southeast Region Headboat Survey-PPS Survey Design Project
30255
Data Set
Southeast Region Headboat Survey-Trip Estimates by Type
27646
Data Set
Southeast Region Headboat Survey-Vessel list/Vessel Directory
gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:2503
Lee Weinberger
2006-08-14T01:40:22
Lee Weinberger
2022-12-23T15:42:28
2021-05-07
Southeast Fisheries Science Center
SEFSC
75 Virginia Beach Drive
Miami
FL
33149
USA
(305)361-5761
www.sefsc.noaa.gov
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST
1001
Public
No
2021-05-07
1 Year
2022-05-07