Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen's Association

Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen's Association

  • Electronic Video Monitoring Phase 1

Electronic Video Monitoring Phase 1

With funding provided by NOAA Fisheries’ Northeast Observer Program, technical support from Archipelago Marine Resources Inc, and volunteer efforts from CCCHFA fishermen, we conducted a pilot program in 2004 to test the use of digital video cameras on longline vessels to record catch composition. Currently the government mandates that a certain percentage of all fishing trips are required to carry Federally Fisheries Observers to record catch and discard information. Certain special fisheries require a higher level of coverage. While cameras might not ever fully replace human observers, they can provide a low-cost, low-maintenance, highly accurate and very safe supplementary tool to get accurate information to scientists and managers about what happens on fishing boats on the high seas. The cameras, strategically mounted on vessels, are tamper-proof and hydraulic sensors automatically trigger them to begin recording when fishing activities begin.

When vessels return to port, technicians can review the color images in labs at a fraction of the cost of placing someone on the boat- a real bonus for small business owners and the government.



In the pilot study Electronic Video Monitoring equipment was installed on four vessels for three weeks; totaling 24 fishing days and 136 fishing events. Most trips deployed an at-sea human observer to compare results. Preliminary electronic monitoring and observer data elements have been compared using a qualitative scale (0 -5). High scores represent an ability to accurately monitor each category.

Performance Criteria

Electronic Monitoring

Observer

Species Recognition

4

5

Catch Enumeration

5

4

Catch Weight

0

4

Catch Disposition

3

5

Time and Location of Fishing

5

4

Fishing Depth

3

5


 

 

 

 

 

 







Building upon the success of the pilot study, additional testing will be take place 2006. With financial support from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (insert link) and NOAA Fisheries (insert link), we will conduct a full scale field test on longline boats, with more permanent installations in place for six weeks. In addition, we will conduct a 3 week pilot on sink gillnet vessels, and a feasibility study to determine if EVM is suitable for small-mesh trawl vessels.

Download the pilot study results ! (you need Adobe Reader for this file)

Last updated: May 16, 2006

Today's Catch


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Get Ready for the Event of the Season! Hookers Ball VIII August 16th.
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The perfect beach read: three centuries of fishing in Chatham

 

Beyond the Bar: The Perilous Journey
- by Robert D. B. Carlisle

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Help Hook the Cure Striped Bass Derby! August 23, 2008, Benefits Parkinson disease research.
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HAVE YOU CAUGHT A TAGGED HADDOCK OR COD?

Report the tagged fish and receive a prize!

If you catch a haddock or cod with a tag:

  • Record
Tag #
Fish length
Spawning condition
Date and time
Location
Water depth and temperature
Gear used
Fate of fish (released or landed)

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