September 4, 2013 — The Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation Lobster Research Fleet Pilot Project (known as the "On-Deck Data Program" focuses on testing methods to improve the collection and management of fishery dependent data. Specifically, the pilot program is designed to explore and test new technologies that will enable lobstermen fishing in Lobster Management Areas 2 and 3 to collect and relay much-needed biological data to managers and scientists monitoring the lobster stock in these areas.
The technologies being piloted in this project include the use of onboard waterproof tablets, electronic calipers, and internet relay of data. The project uses a lobster research fleet approach that includes six lobster fishing vessels in each management area, with vessels strategically chosen to provide area coverage. Click here to see the vessels in the Lobster Research Fleet. Click here to see the coverage of the Lobster Fleet.
Data collection is focused on both retained and discarded lobsters, including:
— Carapace length
— Sex
— Females – egg bearing and/or V-notch
— Presence of shell disease
Additional data recorded includes:
— Date of sampling
— Location of samples (longitude/latitude)
— Soak time of traps
— Number of traps sampled
— Total number of lobsters sampled per set of traps.
— Data for lobsters caught in a subset of ventless traps is also reported, and lobstermen have the option of entering notes regarding general observations e.g. tides, weather conditions, other species in traps, etc.
The project is being approached as a collaborative endeavor among lobstermen, and state/regional/federal scientists with a Project Steering Committee comprised of representatives from the lobstermen who fish in Lobster Management Areas 2 and 3, state managers from the RI Department of Environmental Management and the MA Division of Marine Fisheries, and staff from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and NMFS Northeast Fisheries Science Center. Click here to view members of the Project Steering Committee.
For more information:
See the research project webiste
See the members of the project steering committee