Technology is constantly changing and evolving. This can be challenging to adapt to, but it is critical for advancements in the scientific world.
We are developing and testing a new system aboard NOAA Ship Oregon II to make the data collection process faster and more efficient. We’ve discussed how we measure, weigh, and record sex for each commercially important fish species, such as red snapper, that are caught at each station.
During the survey, we preserve five individual fish of select species, such as red snapper, gray triggerfish, red grouper, from each station. Then we transport them back to our laboratory in Panama City, Florida. These specific species are collected from the trawl survey since it generally captures fish younger than 2 years old. We seldom get fish this young from the fishery due to size restrictions. These young fish are important for understanding the age structure of the population. Research fishery biologist, Dr. Beverly Barnett and the biology and life history team remove the otoliths—calcium carbonate structures located inside the head of bony fish. They use these structures to get age estimates and life history information for each fish.
To improve the accuracy and efficiency of this process, we use a barcoding system that provides a unique identifier for each fish. The barcode is pre-printed on a tag, along with text visually identifying each barcode. After we collect and enter the biological data, we scan the individual barcode into the Trawl Replacement Input Program database. More on that, later.
We then attach the barcode tag through the gills and mouth of the specific fish to which it is linked. Since these fish have already been weighed, measured, and sexed, researchers at the Panama City facility can then scan these barcodes when the samples arrive. This allows them to access all of the biological data associated with that specimen from the survey. Once the researchers collect age and growth information for each fish, they link these data back to the database. This ensures the data are available for use in stock assessments.
Prior to implementing this barcoding process, each fish would have to be re-measured, re-weighed, and re-sexed upon arrival to the Panama City facility. This made it difficult, if not impossible, to link a specific fish back to the data within the trawl database. The new barcoding process saves time and helps ensure that assessments are efficient, consistent, and accurate.
“Ever since we started using this system, our efficiency has really improved.” says Beverly. “You can imagine that the more you handwrite something over and over, it’s just human nature that you’re going to make a mistake. The expansion of this barcoding system will help ensure our data is accurate and available as quickly as possible.”
Beverly and her team, along with Dr. Tom Helser and Irina Benson at the NOAA Fisheries Alaska Fisheries Science Center, are also implementing a new technique using Fourier Transform-Near Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-NIRS). Near-infrared measures from otoliths are closely related to fish age. Beverly and several partners are using these measures, combined with machine learning, to predict how old a fish is. These machine learning algorithms include FT-NIR spectra and other data inputs such as whole otolith images, geospatial data, and biological information like fish length, otolith mass, and sex. This technique is relatively new to fish ecology but is used in many other industries as a quality control method. Partners in this research include the University of Melbourne in Australia and the University of Washington.
Take a look at some of the fish species that are used for this research and the specimens caught on the 2023 fall groundfish survey in the photo album!
