H E I D I @ O F F S H O R E L O B S T E R . O R G | 6 0 3 - 8 2 8 - 9 3 4 2W W W. O L S P S . C O M ; W W W. O L F I S H . C O M ; W W W. O L R A C N A E . O R G

HEIDI HENNINGERAtlantic Offshore Lobstermen’s Assn.OLRAC – North America East

MOVING BEYOND PAPER:ELECTRONIC SOLUTIONS FOR FISHERIES

Real time: Data are recorded on pieces of paper, captain’s logbook , dealer receipts, or not at all

At a later date: Data are added by watermen to an official paper logsheet

Even later: Data are transferred to a computer by professional data punchers

Data collection now:

Consequences - Paper-based logbooks are:

Slow

Incomplete, hard to read

Inaccurate, error prone

Hard to Verify

Real time catch monitoring is virtually impossible Caps are often set too low because of uncertainty In season management is difficult Harvest limits are often exceeded unknowingly Scientific assessments are often unreliable

How to achieve this?Use technology to make data TIMELY, ACCURATE, VERIFABLE

COMMON KNOWLEDGE

FLEXIBLE, EASY, COMPREHENSIVE

Watermen

Compliance/ governments

Fish buyers

Scientists

So what should we do to improve the situation?

What does the blue crab fishery in VA

need?

Things to consider

What data needs to be collected?

What are the fishery/fleet characteristics?

Are there any communication limitations?

How will the program be funded?

How often does it need to be reported?

What other uses/benefits can be gleaned?

How can we improve validation?

What technology should be deployed?

Text Messaging (phone)M

OB

ILE

- R

EALT

IME

PROS: Simple Cheapest hardware Real-time (GSM Network) Managers - No need for “data punchers”

BEST USE: LIMITED SIMPLE REPORTING

CONS: Free text (errors/no automatic validation) Limited data No nested data (if A then B) Hard to change/expand Hard to audit Small screen/buttons GSM network needed; fees may apply

Mobile Web / Mobile App (phone/tablet)M

OB

ILE

- R

EALT

IME

BEST USE: HAILS, DECLARATIONS,CATCH

PROS: No free text – no typos, improved data quality Cheap hardware (90% of phones can get web) Real-time (3G network) Nested data Easily changed and expanded Feedback, receipts, summaries, etc. Managers - Automated receipt and validation of

reports

CONS: Small screen/buttons 3G network needed; data charges may apply Limited data

Computer Based (Shore)SH

OR

E –

POST

EV

ENT

BEST USE: FISHERIES NOT NEEDING REALTIME

PROS: Big screen Virtually no limits on data entry Validation, conditional data Added value features

CONS: More expensive Harder to update (software) Requires computer Not realtime

Computer Based (Vessel) – elogs and eformsV

ESSE

L - R

EALT

IME

PROS: Big screen Virtually no limits on data entry Validation, conditional data Added value features (elogs) Real time Links to GPS, VMS, sensors, etc.

CONS: More expensive Hardest to update Requires computer onboard Need to get data from sea shore

BEST USE: FISHERIES NEEDING REALTIME

Website vs Client Software

WEB BASED– (text messaging, mobile website, computer based website) No software to install, maintain, update. Management and updates can be done by the managers/IT folks Can be accessed from multiple points Can connect with other users, see summary data, get alerts Network connection is required to enter data

SOFTWARE – (phone app, computer software) Connectivity only required to send data Individually customized Associated with one piece of hardware Fishery updates, summary data, alerts limited to times of connectivity Needs to be installed, maintained, and updated by the user

Connectivity considerations

How do you decide which to use?

Things to consider

What data needs to be collected/validated?

What are the fishery/fleet characteristics? Are there any communication limitations?

How will the program be funded?

How often does it need to be reported?

What other uses/benefits can be gleaned?

Timely data = more accuracy = fact based harvest allowances

Better data = more sustainable, stable fisheries and regulations

A traceable fishery = huge marketing potential

More data = improved fishing practices and flexibility

Benefits beyond more data to managers…

Can be tapped to address specific and dynamic stock assessment needs

Integrated / Hybrid System

COMPUTER

PHONE

KIOSK

BUYER/

DEALER