Data Acquisition by NMFS for Management of the North Pacific Groundfish Fisheries

Alison Vijgen,Glenn Campbell,Bob Hewitt
Alaska Fisheries Science Center/NMFS


Staff from the National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) Alaska
Fisheries Science Center have developed and implemented a system using a network/telecommunications gateway whereby at-sea fisheries observers communicate from the North Pacific with office staff and transmit their data for loading into a database. The data are available in a timely manner and used to make fisheries management decisions. Communication of both fisheries data and messages are supported. Fisheries observers enter data into a custom computer application installed on processing vessels and at shorebased fish processing plants and use telecommunications for transmitting data to, and receiving messages from, a NMFS computer in Seattle. Transmitted data are loaded into a NMFS database and transmitted messages are delivered via e-mail to NMFS staff. Messages from NMFS staff are sent via e-mail to fisheries observers. This system provides a private channel between office staff and field observers for discussing procedural and safety issues. The database also allows timely access to the data for internal users for editing, fisheries management decision making/analyses, and research. A GIS package is integrated for use by NMFS staff to effectively manage the North Pacific groundfish fisheries. In addition, a restricted access web application exists which allows external users, including the fishing industry, to access proprietary fisheries data.

BIO - Alison Vijgen Alison Vijgen is a programmer with NPGOP (North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program) which is part of NMFS/AFSC/REFM in Seattle, WA. She coordinates ORACLE and POWERBUILDER programming within NPGOP. She has worked for NOAA since 1994.

Science Center Exhibit/Demo Wednesday - 3:10 - 4:10 P.M. Other demo times will be posted at the exhibit.