West Coast Groundfish Observer Program Manual, Part2 - NOAA

CHAPTER 5
II. Collecting and Documenting Trip
and Total Catch Information
Managers have the same data needs for fixed gear vessels as
they do for trawl vessels. Fishing Effort Information
including dates, times, locations, etc. are collected by
Observers on Fixed Gear vessels and documented on the
Trip Form.
Trip Form -Instructions for Completing the
Observer Trip Form on Fixed Gear Vessels
An entry must be made for every set a vessel makes while
the Observer is aboard. The Trip form is separated into
two sections:
• Trip Form – Haul Locations.
• Trip Form – Hauls.
Most of the information on the Trip form (See Figure 5-13
and Figure 5-14) does not require any sampling. The
exception is the Observer Total Catch Estimate. Although
fixed gear vessels are not required to keep Vessel
Logbooks, most skippers will keep a personal log. Ask the
skipper to borrow this log to complete the Trip Form. If
the vessel does not record its fishing effort information
anywhere, the Observer must record this information for
themselves. Following the form instructions, procedures
for obtaining Observer Total Catch Estimates on fixed gear
vessels is discussed.
TIP * It is important for Observers to complete the
Trip Form-Haul Locations after each haul.
1/30/2004 5-17