West Coast Groundfish Observer Program Manual, Part2 - NOAA

CHAPTER 6
IV. Data Collection Procedures
Fish lengths, sexes, and otoliths are collected from a wide
variety of species. While the information gathered is the
same for all species, the collection procedures often vary.
It is important to utilize the appropriate procedure for each
species to insure accurate data collection.
Lengthing Fish
Figure 6- 1: Rockfish Length
Data Collection Guidelines
1. Collect lengths for tagged fish.
2. Collect lengths for Pacific halibut when viabilities are
being taken.
3. Collect lengths for salmon.
4. Collect lengths for high priority species such as
rockfish or lingcod.
Preparing to Measure Fish
Before you begin collecting fish for length measurements,
set up an area to measure fish. You will need to use or
create a “table” large enough to lay a fish on the plastic
length strip. If there is no table present, use the NMFS
aluminum board, baskets, deck bin boards or the deck as a
table.
Selected species should be collected in a random fashion
for length measurements and should only be collected from
discarded species.
Measuring Fish
Fork length is the fish length measurement method used by
the WCGOP and other NOAA Fisheries researchers. Fork
1/30/2004 6-13