Mote Marine Laboratory

Mote’s Mission: 

To meet the demand by industry and management for accurate, independent data to ensure long-term fishery health.

Grant Project Goal(s):

To develop and access electronic monitoring (EM) technology to support the long-term sustainability of a multi-species fishery in the Gulf of Mexico commercial reef fish fishery. 

Background:

Objective catch data are necessary to ensure this fishery’s health, however, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) Fisheries Observer Program is only able to monitor about 2% of activity in this fishery. The project will further advance EM to improve documentation, data visioning, conservation of public resources, stock assessments, and monitoring of catch and bycatch in federally managed fisheries.

Immediate Objective(s):

To 1) work closely with management and industry partners to apply EM technology onboard commercial vessels and document patterns in catch, bycatch, and discards; 2) use video systems on fishing vessels to record the latest fishing activities; 3) review imagery to calculate the Catch-Per-Unit-Effort (CPUE); and 4) rapidly generate hotspot maps indicating high catch and low bycatch locations to inform upcoming fishing activities and help managers better understand and manage stock. 

Key Learnings:

October 30, 2023

What challenge/need were you facing prior to receiving support from Sea Pact?

Prior to receiving support from Sea Pact, Mote’s Center for Fisheries Electronic Monitoring (CFEMM) was in need of the ability to rapidly produce maps and reports for industry and management. These data products were slow to produce and were created individually before Sea Pact’s support.

What changed after being part of Sea Pact’s grant program? What specific outcomes can you share?

With Sea Pact’s support, the CFEMM has successfully automated the production of maps and data reports for distribution to participating electronic monitoring captains, vessel owners, and industry representatives. The products have also been included in reports, publications, and presentations.

Are there any key learnings/takeaways that you can share that would benefit the entire industry?

Long-term, consistent data collection is crucial to producing the most representative data products for industry and management. 

Learn more at Mote Marine Laboratory

Mutton snapper hot spots in the eastern Gulf of Mexico (courtesy of Mote Marine Laboratory)