Services

What We Do

Catch Accounting

Our clients use our quota management tools to track target and bycatch species and make transfers between co-op members.

VMS-AIS

VMS and AIS are used for fine-scale understanding of fishing patterns, allowing for in-season time and area closures for dynamic fisheries management.

Electronic Fish-Tickets

In-season patterns of target and bycatch species can be monitored for vessels without 100% observer coverage through fish ticket data.

Observer Program

Haul-level data from the NOAA observer program allows Sea State to monitor in-season bycatch rates across sectors.

Environmental Data

We use all information available to analyze patterns in fishing dynamics to assess and evaluate policy options and fishing patterns over time.

Electronic Logbooks

Supplemental information on fishing observations can be shared via electronic logbooks to dial in our understanding of in-season fishing dynamics.

Technical Support

We provide technical support for fishing companies and cooperatives. Using our information services, we provide clients with user pages to track quota of target and PSC species. We provide daily bycatch alarm notifications. Data analysts are always tracking in-season fishing and bycatch patterns. We provide weekly reporting and implementation of the AFA pollock IPA agreements, including the rolling hotspot closure program.

Time-Area Closures

VMS data and associated bycatch rates allow Sea State to set fine-scale time-area closures with the most up-to-date information available. The below map shows an example of one week of VMS tracks for the pollock fleet, avoiding a Chinook closure below the Pribilof Islands.

Bycatch alarms

Sea State supports an automated email system to alert fleets of hauls or fish tickets exceeding a bycatch threshold rate. The below map shows halibut bycatch rates per haul, including some that may have triggered a bycatch alarm email.

Weekly reporting

Several fleets subscribe to weekly reports summarizing both target and bycatch species patterns over the previous week, as well as season and year-to-date summaries. Below is an example of a page of a 2022 A-season pollock weekly report, including rationale behind Chinook closures based on data from the observer program and communication from the fleet on the ground.

Rolling hotspot closure program

Salmon bycatch rates in the Alaska pollock fishery are monitored daily and potential closure areas are examined either weekly or biweekly depending on the fleet and season. VMS information, bycatch rates, communication with the fleet about real-time observations, and historical chum salmon genetics are used to place closures. Closure notices are distributed to the fleet, enforced over the next week, and then reassessed.

Closure violation notices

Compliance under the IPAs is high. If there were a closure violation, Sea State would identify the issue through VMS for vessels participating in 100% observer coverage or electronic monitoring.

Data and policy analysis

Sea State works on various data, policy, and risk analyses in conjunction with other services to aid in future bycatch avoidance.