| HEIDI HENNINGER Atlantic Offshore Lobstermen’s Assn. OLRAC – North America East MOVING BEYOND PAPER: ELECTRONIC SOLUTIONS FOR FISHERIES

Real time: Data are recorded on pieces of paper, captain’s logbook, dealer receipts, or not at all At a later date: Data are added by watermen to an official paper logsheet Even later: Data are transferred to a computer by professional data punchers Data collection now:

Consequences - Paper-based logbooks are: Slow Incomplete, hard to read Inaccurate, error prone Hard to Verify Real time catch monitoring is virtually impossible Caps are often set too low because of uncertainty In season management is difficult Harvest limits are often exceeded unknowingly Scientific assessments are often unreliable

How to achieve this? Use technology to make data TIMELY, ACCURATE, VERIFABLE COMMON KNOWLEDGE FLEXIBLE, EASY, COMPREHENSIVE Watermen Compliance/ governments Fish buyers Scientists So what should we do to improve the situation?

What does the blue crab fishery in VA need?

Things to consider What data needs to be collected? What are the fishery/fleet characteristics? Are there any communication limitations? How will the program be funded? How often does it need to be reported? What other uses/benefits can be gleaned? How can we improve validation?

What technology should be deployed?

Text Messaging (phone) MOBILE - REALTIME PROS: Simple Cheapest hardware Real-time (GSM Network) Managers - No need for “data punchers” BEST USE: LIMITED SIMPLE REPORTING CONS: Free text (errors/no automatic validation) Limited data No nested data (if A then B) Hard to change/expand Hard to audit Small screen/buttons GSM network needed; fees may apply

Mobile Web / Mobile App (phone/tablet) MOBILE - REALTIME BEST USE: HAILS, DECLARATIONS,CATCH PROS: No free text – no typos, improved data quality Cheap hardware (90% of phones can get web) Real-time (3G network) Nested data Easily changed and expanded Feedback, receipts, summaries, etc. Managers - Automated receipt and validation of reports CONS: Small screen/buttons 3G network needed; data charges may apply Limited data

Computer Based (Shore) SHORE – POST EVENT BEST USE: FISHERIES NOT NEEDING REALTIME PROS: Big screen Virtually no limits on data entry Validation, conditional data Added value features CONS: More expensive Harder to update (software) Requires computer Not realtime

Computer Based (Vessel) – elogs and eforms VESSEL - REALTIME PROS: Big screen Virtually no limits on data entry Validation, conditional data Added value features (elogs) Real time Links to GPS, VMS, sensors, etc. CONS: More expensive Hardest to update Requires computer onboard Need to get data from sea  shore BEST USE: FISHERIES NEEDING REALTIME

Website vs Client Software WEB BASED– (text messaging, mobile website, computer based website) No software to install, maintain, update. Management and updates can be done by the managers/IT folks Can be accessed from multiple points Can connect with other users, see summary data, get alerts Network connection is required to enter data SOFTWARE – (phone app, computer software) Connectivity only required to send data Individually customized Associated with one piece of hardware Fishery updates, summary data, alerts limited to times of connectivity Needs to be installed, maintained, and updated by the user Connectivity considerations

How do you decide which to use?

Things to consider What data needs to be collected/validated? What are the fishery/fleet characteristics? Are there any communication limitations? How will the program be funded? How often does it need to be reported? What other uses/benefits can be gleaned? Timely data = more accuracy = fact based harvest allowances Better data = more sustainable, stable fisheries and regulations A traceable fishery = huge marketing potential More data = improved fishing practices and flexibility Benefits beyond more data to managers… Can be tapped to address specific and dynamic stock assessment needs

Integrated / Hybrid System COMPUTER PHONEKIOSK BUYER/ DEALER