Research and Data

Fisheries-independent data are collected through scientific surveys and are a critical component of fishery stock assessments. State, federal, and academic scientists typically conduct fisheries-independent surveys over an extended time frame to track long-term abundance trends. This type of data, combined with fishery dependent data collected through fishermen's reports, provides a more accurate picture of stock status. Since such data are not influenced by specific management measures (e.g., size and bag limits, season closures, mesh sizes), they present an unbiased accounting of stock health. Specific information collected in fisheries-independent research projects includes recruitment, juvenile and adult abundance, habitat characteristics, and environmental factors. Fisheries-independent surveys also provide an excellent platform for gear studies to aid in bycatch reduction efforts.

Additional reading:

Gulland, J.A. 1983. Fish stock assessment: A manual of basic methods. John Wiley & Sons, New York.

Hilborn, R.H. and C.J. Walters. 1992. Quantitative fisheries stock assessment: Choice, dynamics, & uncertainty. Chapman & Hall, London.

DeAlteris, J.T. and L.G. Skrobe. 2000. Special Report No. 69 of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission: Fisheries Stock Assessment User's Manual.