Data and Information Systems in the Northeast

We provide data and information systems, analysis, and management support of fisheries monitoring and research efforts.

New England/Mid-Atlantic

Women on board vessel entering information on touch screen. Additional crew in the background. — Scientist collects biological data using an Android tablet aboard a commercial fishing vessel during the Gulf of Maine Cooperative Bottom Longline Survey. NOAA Fisheries/Giovanni Gianesin

What We Do

Data and Information Systems

DIS development teams design, develop, test, debug, deliver, and maintain data information systems for several high-profile regional fisheries monitoring and research efforts. The programs they support include:

DIS Development Teams are aligned to deliver data information systems consistent with NOAA Fisheries Office of the Chief Information Officer and the NEFSC Information Technology Division security and organizational requirements. DIS development team capabilities include web applications, desktop applications, application programming interface, databases, and mobile applications.

Data Analysis

The DIS Data Analysis Team bridges organizational capability gaps and enhances the value of our data to enable data-driven decision making. We identify, analyze, and interpret data trends or patterns to track the performance and progress of fisheries monitoring and research efforts, which allows us to make recommendations for operational improvements. Our goal is to present engaging and beneficial analytical products to a diverse group of regional stakeholders.

Data Management

The DIS Data Management Team uses a strategy for overall data lifecycle management: collection, storage/maintenance, use, archival, and destruction. This strategy includes developing policies that improve data governance, i.e. the planning, stewardship, and enforcement of our data assets. This team develops and fosters relationships with regional stakeholders to forward the goals of the Fisheries-Dependent Data Initiative: to improve coordination, reduce duplication of efforts, and promote the efficient allocation of resources needed to meet management goals.

Fisheries Monitoring Efforts

Pre-Trip Notification System

The Pre-Trip Notification System (PTNS) assigns observers and at-sea monitors to fishing vessels in accordance with the Standard Bycatch Reporting Methodology and mandated coverage rates of industry-funded programs. The fishing industry, observer providers, and NOAA staff use the PTNS, which automatically links to other observer and electronic monitoring data systems for increased efficiency.

Fishery Monitoring Portal

The Fishery Monitoring Portal is the central hub of communications and information for fisheries monitoring operations in New England. Users include NOAA Fisheries, observers and at-sea monitors, observer and electronic monitoring providers, NOAA Office of Law enforcement, and the U.S. Coast Guard. Observers can review their scheduled deployments, assigned vessel safety information, training and certification information, and manage availability, among other tasks.

Northeast Electronic Monitoring Information System

The Northeast Electronic Monitoring Information System (NEMIS) is a RESTful application programming interface used for submitting electronic monitoring data from third-party providers in the Northeast. fisheries using electronic monitoring submit fishing-dependent data to NOAA Fisheries. NOAA publishes the NEMIS API specification on the web in the OpenAPI Specification format, which defines a standard, language-agnostic interface to the NEMIS RESTful API.

Observer At-Sea Information System

The Observer At-Sea Information System is a mobile application used by fisheries observers and at-sea monitors to collect fisheries data aboard commercial fishing vessels. OASIS allows for near real-time paperless data collection, which greatly improves the timeliness and use of fisheries data across their lifecycle. Science and management use these data throughout the Northeast region for a variety of analyses, such as estimating the annual bycatch of all federally managed species in the region.

Cooperative Research Efforts

The Fisheries Logbook and Data Recording Software

The Fisheries Logbook Data Recording Software (FLDRS) is a research tool used by Study Fleet participants to collect detailed fishing effort, catch, and discard data during routine fishing operations. We use these data to support stock assessments, research the impacts of offshore wind on fishing operations, develop thermal niche models, inform regional oceanographic models, and more.

Gulf of Maine Cooperative Bottom Longline Survey

To support the Cooperative Research Branch, the Data and Information Systems Branch is prototyping a mobile-first data collection solution for small-boat surveys conducted aboard commercial fishing vessels. This effort includes offline data collection using ruggedized tablets, digital scales, barcode printers and scanners, and other technology to capture biological information from the landed catch. These data are used for stock assessments and research questions about species distribution shifts and ecosystem dynamics.