Electronic Video Monitoring Phase 2With a grant from the Moore Foundation , and National Marine Fisheries Service Northeast Observer Program the CCCHFA is able to initiate Phase II of the Electronic Video Monitoring Project to supplement testing and document the applicability of using video-based electronic monitoring systems to augment existing at- sea observer programs. After participating in the 2004 pilot study, CCCHFA hook and line fishermen are committed to the development of Video- based EM as a potential future cost savings when implementing Special Access Programs (SAP). SAP’s allow fishing vessels, under certain restrictions, access to locations that are not normally fished in order to harvest healthy stocks. During the 2005 Closed Area I Hook and Line Haddock SAP, fishing vessels were required to carry federal observers on 50% of their trips into the area. There is a substantial price difference per observer per trip vs. installing electronic monitoring equipment on vessels. Decreases in funding to the Federal Observer Program will restrict coverage in the 2006 Closed Area I Hook and Line Haddock SAP.Working in collaboration with Archipelago Ltd., and NOAA Fisheries, a second phase to document the effectiveness of EM systems will be completed for six weeks on eight vessels in 2006. Observers will be onboard for 50% of the trips in order to compare results. If successful, NOAA Fisheries will begin the process of supplementing their hook and line observer program with EM. The second part of the project is to demonstrate video-based monitoring in the small boat gillnet fishery in Chatham and the small mesh gear fishery (Atlantic herring, White Hake, Atlantic Mackerel) in Gloucester or Portland. 
Gillnet and small mesh gear Assuming successful feasibility studies, we are proposing a more comprehensive study for both gear types in 2007 to further document the effectiveness of EM systems as a supplement to human observers. Small mesh gear has the potential to catch tons of small herring and mackerel at one time. They have large pumps that load the fish from the net onto the boat. The pumping system may be enclosed and observer sub-sampling locations may not always be above deck or in an area where they can see and calculate the entire catch. When there are low levels of target fish caught the net is often emptied directly into the water. The catch isn’t brought on-board for observers to sample. Testing electronic monitoring gear on small mesh boats will hopefully prove to be a supplemental way to create solutions to mitigate controversies in the fisheries. Last updated: June 21, 2006 |
Today's CatchGet Ready for the Event of the Season! Hookers Ball VIII August 16th. Get your copy today! The perfect beach read: three centuries of fishing in Chatham Help Hook the Cure Striped Bass Derby! August 23, 2008, Benefits Parkinson disease research. 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:
Fish length Spawning condition Date and time Location Water depth and temperature Gear used Fate of fish (released or landed)
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