Assessing the Reliability of Fisher Self-Sampling Programs

Abstract The transition to catch share management for groundfish fisheries in the waters off the northeastern USA will require more monitoring than is presently obtained through traditional programs. Other types of at-sea reporting may be necessary to address data gaps and complement other sampling programs like the Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (NEFOP). Validation of fisher self-sampling programs, such as the study fleet program of the School for Marine Science and Technology (University of Massachusetts Dartmouth), provides another monitoring option to be used in conjunction with existing systems. In this paper, data from the study fleet program were compared with other fisheries-dependent data sources in the region. We tested for significant differences in catch at the trip, species, and haul levels by disposition (i.e., kept and discarded). Effort and length measurements for six commercial species were also analyzed. Catch results were mixed but similar for commercial species across comparisons...

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