Building the tools to facilitate the gathering of high-quality fisheries data as efficiently as possible
Electronic approaches include electronic reporting (ER) and electronic monitoring (EM) tools. Recording data electronically as soon as it has been captured, for example onboard a fishing vessel as the catch is hauled in, is preferable to recording it on paper and then manually inputting this into a database after the event. Having an ER system which is capable of recording and transmitting the data reduces the introduction of errors as well as allowing integrated data quality checking. This type of system has the added advantage for fisheries managers and scientists who can then work with the most up to date data, as opposed to waiting weeks or even months for paper records to reach them. The tools that we have developed in collaboration with member countries and regional partners include:
OnBoard
The OnBoard app is one of the E-reporting tools suite, used to collect logsheet data onboard longline vessels. It is available on Android and Windows 10 operating systems, in English, French, and Chinese. As with the rest of the app suite, OnBoard can then remotely send data to the master cloud-based system Tufman 2. Once in the system, the data can be viewed and/or edited by fisheries officers from Pacific Island countries and territories in near real-time. The fishing company can also see the logsheet in Tufman 2 Industry seconds after it has been uploaded and export it in the SPC/FFA regional format.
OnShore
OnShore is one of the tablet applications of the SPC-developed suite of E-reporting tools, used to collect port sampling data from commercial vessels fishing in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. Being an efficient solution to replace port sampling paper forms, OnShore can safely and remotely upload data to the central cloud based system Tufman 2. Once stored in the database, the information can instantly be analysed by fisheries managers.
OLLO
OLLO (Offline LongLine Observer) is an Android app developed by SPC for observers monitoring longline vessels operating in the southern albacore fisheries. It is used on ruggedised tablets and allows observers to record all the data fields required in the SPC/FFA Longline Regional Observer Workbook. Extensively trialled with the New Caledonia observer program, it is now used in New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Tonga, and Cook Islands, and we offer training and support to regional observer programs interested in implementing OLLO.
OLLO is used offline by observers onboard the vessels and their data are uploaded to the regional fisheries database Tufman 2 when observers return to port. It incorporates data quality checking tools to ensure quality data is recorded and transmitted.
Tails
Tails is a smartphone and tablet application that allows coastal fisheries staff to easily collect tuna and reef fish catch information from small-scale fishers in remote locations and send it instantly back to the main office for analysis, even when internet connectivity is limited. This technology eliminates the need for costly and time-consuming delays in sending paper-based data from outer islands to the central fisheries office to help pacific countries monitor and manage their artisanal tuna catch with today’s data, not last year’s data.
