1. TDW-11: 24-28th April 2017, Noumea, New Caledonia
ER and EM
E-Volution update – April 2017
TDW-11: th April 2017, Noumea, New Caledonia

2. Outline ER and EM update, inc. products
SPC’s perceived role in EM developments
Standards for EM Records Analysis
Uploading E-Data to TUBS/TUFMAN2/FIMS
Capacity building in ER and EM
National/Regional ER and EM strategies

3. E-Reporting
Electronic Reporting (ER), is essentially digitizing existing paper forms and includes electronic logsheets submitted by fishing vessels, electronic trip reports produced by fisheries observers, transhipments and port sampling reports.
Electronic data is acquired through specialised software on computer and tablets.

4. E-Reporting
Fisheries observers are the back bone of the fisheries management programmes, they deserve to use modern tools that allows them to work more efficiently and safer.
The current paper based workbooks have been developed over many years and are great tools.
But I’ve often seen the observers spend too much time filling out the same details over and over on each new form they enter data in: their names, their observer codes, the vessels names, their trip IDs, the start date of the trip, the end date of the trip, etc.
ER allows observers to enter this information once only and thus affords them valuable time to monitor the fishing activities.
The ER software have built in calculation and data checking tools which means the data is of better quality, meaning less time needed to debrief the data when back in port.
Has anyone in this room seen a ‘bad’ logsheet? SHOW OF HANDS?
At times the data on the logsheet is so hard to read, one can spends hours deciphering the data, wasting valuable time.
ER applications remove the need to decipher the information. The data is formatted, concise and ready to be imported in a database.

5. Status of ER implementation
17 countries implementing ER (E-LOG for: LL and PS + Artisanal vessels, observer (PS only),
Scale: Approx Km
Status of ER implementation

6. OnBoard Electronic logsheet application for collecting:
Catch and Effort Data
Dynamic user interface
Data validation – range checks
Used by fishers
Data upload to TUFMAN2
DORADO data reporting
SPC OFP DEVELOPPED APPLICATION

7. TAILS Fisheries monitoring application for collecting:
Commercial LL Port Sampling Data
Artisanal Fisheries Data
Used by national fisheries staff
Data upload to TUFMAN2
DORADO data reporting
SPC OFP DEVELOPPED APPLICATION

8. (PNA) FIMS FIMS: Data uploaded to national and regional DB at SPC
Electronic logheet application for PS and LL vessels
Used by fishers
Electronic observer data application for PS vessels
Used by observers
Data uploaded to national
and regional DB at SPC

9. FFA boarding and inspection app
Used by compliance officers

10. E-Monitoring
Electronic Monitoring (EM) systems includes high definition video cameras, GPS, and gear sensors installed on tuna fishing vessels. This equipment produced EM records.
EM records are stored on hard drives which are then analysed by office observers at the end of a fishing trip.

11. E-Monitoring
Working on LL fishing vessels as an observer is often not fun and can even be dangerous at times.
You are the odd one out, speaking in sign language, unable to communicate with shore parties independently, sleeping in bunks too small for your size, with bed bugs itching you and preventing quality sleep.
While physical observer programmes are essential to collecting biological specimens, collecting industry intelligence etc, the work of onboard observers can be supplemented by EM systems.
You can imagine an observer onboard a vessel that is also equipped with EM.
The observer may not feel so much pressure to collecting data when condition don’t allow it (bad weather, fatigue, illness, blues) as he or she knows the EM system is recording everything.
EM can also be considered an added safety feature.  

12. Status of EM implementation
10 countries are implementing EM
Scale: Approx Km
Status of EM implementation

13. EMS on LL vessels Satlink Sea Tube lite Fiji: 15 vessels (50 by 2018)
Palau: 4 vessels
Japan: 3 vessels
FSM: 5 vessels
RMI: 6 vessels
Solomon Is.: 8 vessels (pending)

14. EMS on LL vessels Luen Thai Fishing Venture Archipelago EM Observer
Developed their own EM system
Installed on majority of fleet operating in:
FM, MH, CK
Archipelago EM Observer
Australia (Programe)
Trident Fisheye NZ

15. SPC’s perceived role in E-DATA developments
Collaborate to with countries and partners
Establish ER and EM data collection standards
Repository of ER and EM data for analysis
Training, assessment and certification - PIRFO
Collaborate to with countries and partners to build capacity (eg. National EROs)
Establish ER and EM data collection standards and E-debriefing tools for curated ER and EM data
Repository of ER and EM data for analysis and dissemination for timely advice to countries, WCPFC, FFA, PNA, partners
Train, assess and certify observers using applications and EM reviewers to PIRFO standards

16. Why do we need these tools?
This pretty picture tells the story of once upon a time, where the Skipjack tuna were and how many there were. To paint such pretty pictures, on time, stock assessment scientists need reliable data transmitted rapidly.
Many Small Islands Developing States and Territories depend on the revenues derived from the catch of oceanic resources.
In the case of tuna fisheries, skipjack, albacore, yellowfin and bigeye tunas are highly migratory species and members need our support to determine where the resources are, how much is being taken and what is the maximum yield to ensure sustainability.
To achieve this work, we need rapid and reliable data. Paper based data collection systems unfortunately don’t allow rapid data flow.
How do we do this change? The key driver to achieve innovation.
As my nenna says: “Necessity is the mother of invention”.
In our case, we need Electronic Data, let’s invent the right electronic tools!

17. National Fisheries Authorities
Scientific Data
Logsheet, Observer, Port Sampling and Biological
Methods: Hard copy, ER and EM
NOW ~
SPC OFP
Fisheries Ecosystem Monitoring & Analysis
Data Management
Stock Assessment
FUTURE ?
Countries
WCPFC
FFA
PNA
Others
Curated Data & Scientific Advice
NOW:
HARD COPY: 90
ER: 5
EM: 5
FUTURE:
ER: 65%
HARC COPY: 10%
EM: 25%

18. Standards and processes for data collection using ER and EM
Guide WCPFC member countries on how to submit ER and EM data

19. ER standards
The WCPFC E-Reporting data field standards for operational catch and effort data (e-logs) were approved at the 13th Regular Session of the Commission (WCPFC) in December 2016.
The WCPFC E-Reporting data field standards for observer (e-obs) data were well advanced in late 2016 and are expected to be adopted during 2017.

20. Current ER data flow process
Lodging e-LOGHEET data to TUFMAN2 Lodging e-OBSERVER data to TUBS/T2

21. ER (e-logs) data flow process
OnBoard– TAILS e-logs
iFIMS
e-logs
TUFMAN2 Regional Fisheries Database
iFIMS portal
Countries
SPC Stock Assessment Section
TUFMAN2 Regional Fisheries Data Base
Countries
WCPFC
Countries

22. ER (e-obs) data flow process
TUBs Regional Observer Data Base
DORADO
Countries
FIMS
e-obs
FIMS portal
SPC Stock Assessment Section
WCPFC
Countries

23. EM standards
WCPFC E-Monitoring process standards for data extraction to longline observer data fields (July 2016 – v1.0) -
Need to adapt these EM standards depending on national needs (inc. MCS and CDS)
Until these LL EM standards are revised, EM records obtained in the WCPO must be analysed to these standards
EM PS standards workshop to be held in Q at SPC
SPC is the data service provider to the WCPFC.
In July 2016, a workshop was held at SPC in collaboration with Fiji, New Caledonia, PNG, ISSF, WCPFC, FFA and the EM service providers to establish the E-Monitoring process standards for data extraction to longline observer data fields.
These standards set out the way E-Monitoring records are to be analysed for generating LL EM data.

24. Current EM data flow process
DORADO
Countries
SPC-OFP Analyses
EM records
EM Data
EM Analyst
EM TUBs Regional Observer Database
WCPFC
FFA/PNA/Partners

25. Comparative Analyses EM – Observer – Logsheet
Observer data (hard copy and ER)
EM records
EM Data
Analysis
Logsheet Data (Hard copy and ER)
TUFMAN2
Comparative report generated using DORADO (online)
Countries

26. Comparative analyses
Fresh LL vessel, 10 sets. This graph shows the total species composition. For ALB, EM and Logbook data is the same. This data also shows some of the limitations of EM, especially during initials trials. Here the EM analysts reported 19 BET that were neither reported by the observer or the fisher. Video footage of sometimes poor quality and user inexperience can lead to errors in species identification.

27. LL Vessel 1 Retains/Discards LEFT is observer data RIGHT is EM Data
Comparison shows that Observer and EM data on Retained Versus Discards is the same

28. Same fresh LL vessel. Graph can be displayed differently to get more precision for analysis.

29. Data can also be expressed as percentage: 10% scale here

30. Second vessel. Fresh LL vessel, different country, different everyting…Graph here displays total number of spcimens caught.
Some major differences between Observer and EM. Shows observer is not a robot, needs rest. Pelagic stingray: more OBS than EM because specimens are generally struck off while in the water, fast action not necessarily evident to discern using EM. Observer as ‘on deck advantage’ of hearing here for example.
Data also shows significant under reporting of sharks species. Useful information for MCS.

31. Data represented at 60% of total catch

32. LL Vessel 2 Retained/Dsicarded LEFT is Observer data RIGHT is EM data
Same similarities between OBS and EM for Retained and Discards Data

33. Capacity Training in ER and EM
Dedicated ER and EM officers present in RMI, FSM, PNG, Solomon Is, Cook Is.
Role: Facilitate collaboration between fisheries authority, fishing industry, service providers and regional organisations. Including training!

35. Role of observers and vessel operators in ER and EM
Challenging transition (dual reporting)
Need to adapt and collaborate
Hardware procurement/maintenance
EM:
Provide quality EM footage
Transition to EM reviewers
Achieve target analysis rates

36. National ER and EM strategies
Gradual drafting process across countries
Regional support is available
In hand with national legislation

37. Regional ER and EM Strategy
Presented at MCSWG – April 2017
Identify core needs for a bottom up approach
EM data process standards for LL and PS
ER and EM legislation
ER and EM data flow and use

38. PIRFO standards for ER and EM
PIRFO ER and EM standards drafted in 2016
Competency based standards
Collaborate with ER and EM service providers
Assessment and certification process
The impacts on observers were related to the training and implementation processes. PIRFO EM and ER standards have been adopted as specialist skill sets as endorsements for observers already qualified with core PIRFO units and demonstrated competency as an observer. However there were already examples where persons were being used as EM analysts without appropriate at sea experience.

39. Hardware procurement Country and industry approach
Plan for procurement and renewals
Minimum operating specs. for devices

40. Take home messages Improving data flow and data quality
Building capacity for new skills
Establishing operational frameworks
ER and EM tools  are essential
We need rapid and good data to manage our fisheries
Implementation is a challenge
Implementing new technologies includes investing in new skills development
Success is collaboration
An collaborative approach should result in building operational frameworks

41. Implemented by people!

42. Thank You
Any questions?