Noaa groundfish observer program

Advanced Search. Toggle navigation. Select up to three search categories and corresponding keywords using the fields to the right. Refer to the Help section for more detailed instructions. Select one Select one.. Clear All Search. Back to Previous Page. By United States. The program ensures that the data collected by observers are of the highest quality possible by implementing rigorous quality control and quality assurance processes for the data collected by observers.

The Observer Program provides the regulatory framework for NOAA Fisheries certified observers to collect data on groundfish and halibut fisheries. The information collected by observers provides the best scientific information to manage the fisheries and to develop measures to minimize bycatch. Observers collect biological samples and fishery-dependent information on total catch and interactions with protected species.

Managers use data collected by observers to monitor quotas, manage groundfish and prohibited species catch, and document and reduce fishery interactions with protected resources. Division staff process data and make it available to the Sustainable Fisheries Division of the Alaska Regional Office for quota monitoring, to scientists at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center for stock assessment, ecosystem investigations, and an array of research investigations, as well as the fishing industry itself which relies on observer data to monitor quotas and prohibited species catch PSC.

In January , NOAA Fisheries changed how observers in the partial coverage category are deployed, how observer coverage in the partial coverage category is funded, and which vessels and processors must have some or all of their operations observed. These changes increased the statistical reliability of data collected by the program, addressed cost inequality among fishery participants, and expanded observer coverage to previously unobserved fisheries.

The Observer Program is implemented by regulations at subpart E of 50 CFR part which authorize the deployment of observers and EM to collect information necessary for the conservation and management of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska groundfish and halibut fisheries.

The information collected by observers provides the best available scientific information to manage the fisheries and to develop measures to minimize bycatch. Managers use data collected by observers and electronic monitoring to monitor quotas, manage groundfish and prohibited species catch, and document and reduce fishery interactions with protected resources.

Scientists use observer-collected data for stock assessments and marine ecosystem research. We next match species codes between West Coast Groundfish Observer Program and PacFIN and adjust our data so that the total trip pounds of retained fish in a catch category matches the total trip pounds on the fish ticket.

The fish ticket weight is often more accurate as well as legally binding documents. To match the total trip pounds, we scale the weights within each observer retained catch category by the ratio of fish ticket and observer trip weights for that category based on the adjustment factor:. When we cannot match a catch category in our observer data to a fish ticket catch category, we do not adjust the observer data.

After the observer data are merged and adjusted to fish ticket data, any data removed during the matching process are re-incorporated into the matched data file. A variety of observer coverage goals are in place in an attempt to meet the needs of the PFMC to adequately assess the impacts of the fisheries on the resource.

In January the limited entry trawl fleet, the largest groundfish fishery on the West Coast, transitioned to a Catch Shares management system. The Non-Catch Share groundfish fisheries will continue to be observed by the WCGOP much in the same way the program has operated since with coverage rates determined by fishery. Observer coverage rates vary widely for these fisheries with coverage priorities focused on the limited entry sablefish fishery. PSMFC contracts an observer provider to hire and maintain an experienced and local core of observers for the Non-Catch Share Program in addition to procuring gear and supplies to outfit observers with sampling and safety gear.