Northeast Cooperative Research Study Fleet (SF) Program Biological Sampling Data

Northeast Cooperative Research Study Fleet (SF) Program partners with a subset of commercial fishermen to collect high quality, high resolution, haul by haul self-reported fishing data. SF staff routinely sails with program participants in order to collect independent catch weight measurements to compare to the Captains’ kept and discard records for verification.The SF Program creates a unique opportunity for the collection of biological data as well as biological samples both by vessel operators and by SF staff. Participant vessels are able to provide biological data and fish to the NEFSC for use in research relevant to species stock assessments and a better understanding of fish biology. Commercial fishermen have the ability to provide samples during periods of time when traditional sample sources are unavailable (i.e., periods when NEFSC bottom trawl surveys are not operating, periods of species closures, specific needs with respect to species presence at certain times of the year and/or in specific locations, etc.) and they can also provide additional information with regards to their encountered catch (i.e., length frequencies, sex ratios, etc.).