Northeast Cooperative Research Study Fleet (SF) Program Biological Sampling Data

Northeast Cooperative Research Study Fleet (SF) Program partners with a subset of commercial fishermen to collect high quality, high resolution, haul by haul self-reported fishing data. SF staff routinely sails with program participants in order to collect independent catch weight measurements to compare to the Captains’ kept and discard records for verification.The SF Program creates a unique opportunity for the collection of biological data as well as biological samples both by vessel operators and by SF staff. Participant vessels are able to provide biological data and fish to the NEFSC for use in research relevant to species stock assessments and a better understanding of fish biology. Commercial fishermen have the ability to provide samples during periods of time when traditional sample sources are unavailable (i.e., periods when NEFSC bottom trawl surveys are not operating, periods of species closures, specific needs with respect to species presence at certain times of the year and/or in specific locations, etc.) and they can also provide additional information with regards to their encountered catch (i.e., length frequencies, sex ratios, etc.).

Monitor and verify participants catch estimation of discard species. Collect biological data during periods of time when traditional sample sources are unavailable to fill in data gaps.

The Biological data is housed and managed using 22 tables in the NEFSC Oracle database. Related table names begin with 'SF_BIOSAMP'

Formal data request form is filled out and sent to Point of Contact, reviewed with Cooperative Research Program Branch Chief for approval. If approved, data request form is signed, returned and archived.

NEFSC Data Access Constraint:

If data is stored on an internal NEFSC network, the requester may not have direct access to query the data unless they are also authorized for network access.

Oracle database on centralized data management system

Certain biological values such as lengths and weights are written at sea and later entered into an application where it is uploaded to the database. This allows for the possibility of transcribing errors. Taking the weight of fish at sea is difficult due to the unstable environemnt on a vessel. There fore weight is accurate to the nearest tenth place.

Post-trip analytical adjustments can be made to correct for any bias relative to the Captains’ reported landing weight from dealer reports. In order to conduct analyses on the discard estimates customary information on the precision and bias of the Captains’ estimated weights is needed. Study Fleet staff routinely sails with program participants in order to collect independent catch weight measurements to compare to the Captains’ kept and discard records for verification.

Not applicable

NEFSC DMS protection plan (Scheduled backups and remote storage backups)

Dell laptops with various models and operating systems running Northeast Fisheries Science Center Fisheries Logbook Data Recording Software (FLDRS). FVTR VERS tables.