2015 Akule Aerial Survey Data

This dataset contains estimates of the size of schools of akule from an aerial spotter pilot, as well as catch information on harvested schools including length and weight of captured fish, for akule around Oahu Hawaii from November 2015 to October 2016. The pilot data includes the pilot name; the trip number within a month (which was based on a randomized sampling design); the date of the trip; the start and end time of the trips as well as the time at which a school of akule was spotted on the trip; the approximate location of the school in latitude and longitude; whether the akule were a school of juveniles, adults or mixed; the estimate of size in pounds of the school; an indication of whether the school was fished (fishing data are in another dataset); and an indication of cloud cover to gauge visibility. The catch data contains fisher identification; the date fishing took place; the spotter pilot estimate of the size of the school being fished; the gear used to fish; start and end times of fishing; latitude and longitude; state of hawaii commercial fishing grid; environmental information including wind, wave, clarity, temperature, cloud cover; and catch weight and catch number of all species caught. The length data contains fish number (1-25), date fished/measured, gear used to catch fish, length, weight, latitude and longitude of fishing location, and total catch from the fishing trip. Trips started and ended at honolulu airport and circumnavigated Oahu in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction at the discretion of the pilot.

The purpose was threefold. First, estimate biomass of akule schools around Oahu using a plane and a spotter pilot to determine if index of fishery-independent biomass estimation differs from index from catch and effort data reported to DAR. Second, collect catch information of fishing on spotted akule schools to determine the proportion of pilot-estimated biomass that was caught. Third, measure fish lengths and weights in harvested schools to determine patterns of recruitment for akule around Oahu.

Send written request to PIFSC and requires approval by the PIFSC data owner.

Requires signing a PIFSC non-disclosure statement for fisheries confidential data.

Please cite NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) when using the data.

Suggested citation: Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, 2019: Aklue Survey 2015 Catch Data, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/55682

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Spreadsheet

QC review prior to data entry. Further QC after data entry

NCEI-MD does not accept sensitive data at this time.

PIFSC ITS performs scheduled back-ups.

Data was collected in the field by Council contractor and entered in table format into electronic spreadsheets. Data was then provided to PIFSC.