West Coast Groundfish Observer Program Manual, Part2 - NOAA

CHAPTER 5
IV. Collecting and Documenting
Species Composition
Sample Methods when Tally Sampling
On fixed gear vessels, only catch categories with Weight
Method 13 – Tally Sample will have a species composition.
Method for Species Composition Sampling
There are two sample methods for species composition
sampling on fixed gear vessels.
• Sample Method 1 – Whole Haul
If the Observer weighed 100% of the individuals in
the catch category, Sample Method 1 – Whole Haul
is used.
• Sample Method 4 – Fixed Gear Sample
If less than 100% of the individuals in the catch
category are weighed, Sample Method 4 – fixed
gear sample is used.
IMPORTANT!!
Discarded and retained individuals are always in separate catch
categories. Within either the discarded or retained portion of
the tally sample:
• If every individual is weighted then all species are
placed in one catch category and the sample method
on the Species Composition Form is 1 – Whole Haul.
• If there are individuals where weights must be visually
estimated or Pacific halibut for which length/weight
conversions are done, these individuals are placed in
their own catch categories and are not recorded on
the Species Composition Form.
5-56 1/30/2004