Subset of the Alaska observer groundfish data, aggregating by 400km square cells and eliminating cells with less than 3 vessels to create a public version of the Alaska groundfish observer data.
Purpose:
Allows visitors use of the aggregated observer data to create maps. These maps are designed to provide a better understanding of where groundfish are caught in the Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska.
Access_Constraints: For scientific, management, and regulation compliance purposes, all data collected by observers are confidential under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act; as amended, Public Law 109-479; 16 U.S.C. 1853; implemented at 50 CFR 679.50. Therefore unprocessed (raw) data can be shared only with authorized persons; however aggregated forms of the data are generally available.
Use_Constraints:
The user must adhere to restrictions placed on publication of data by the Magnuson-Stevens Act as amended in 2006.
Contact_Organization: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) Fisheries Monitoring and Analysis (FMA)
When a vessel's haul is sampled, the species sample weght is expanded to show a whole haul weight of that species. The sample is not always representative of the whole haul. Minor species are particularly prone to misrepresentation due to the limited size of the samples.
Logical_Consistency_Report:
Once received by FMA, these data are extensively checked for quality and are then entered onto a relational Oracle database.
Completeness_Report:
Not all fishing vessels have an observer on board. Not all hauls/sets on observed vessels are sampled. Some observer data is considered confidential. Cells representing less than three vessels in a particular year and gear are not included.
Contact_Organization: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) Fisheries Monitoring and Analysis (FMA)