Atlantic Salmon Scale Measurements

Scales are collected annually from smolt trapping operations in Maine as wellas other sampling opportunities (e.g. marine surveys, fishery sampling etc.). Scale samples are imaged and age, origin, and measurement data are collected as needed for specific growth-related research.

To archive Atlantic salmon scale age images and associated age, rearing origin, and measurement data so that it is available for assessments and research projects.

Contact data steward

NEFSC Data Access Procedure:

1. Formal request in writing usually to the data owner/contact or Center Director;

2. Requester is contacted by data owner to review and verify the request content and details for data delivery options.

3. If data is confidential then owner will determine if the data may be released to the requester;

4. If data can be released, the data is downloaded and packaged for delivery electronically; or the requester may be directed to where the data is available online.

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.

MS Excel, Centralized Network Storage

Ages are considered accurate. Measurements precise to 0.001.

Ages are designated as "unk" for uknown when scales are unreadable or multiple scales yield multiple results indicating sample contamination.

Data validation during data collection, post audits by internal editors

Data are stored on NOAA NEFSC Woods Hole and MFS servers

Daily data backup locations on NOAA NEFSC Woods Hole server, Remote storage backups

Data collected by NEFSC ASRCT/ME DMR personnel and other collaborators from multiple sites