When requirements for biological data are linked clearly to identified management needs, data collected with and by fishermen has the potential to improve fisheries assessment, management and the long term prosperity of the sector. As part of their quality assessment procedures, pelagic fishing vessels and factories often measure several biological parameters of the catch (e.g. species compositions, weight and fat content), as well as information linking the biological data to each specific haul location and depth. Besides the commercial interest in this information, it is potentially also very valuable for stock assessment and ecological research, but rarely is it stored or used for purposes beyond immediate commercial needs.
Through PANDORA, we designed and piloted industry self-sampling programmes that are able to build upon existing QA procedures to provide finely resolved spatial and temporal information on the size and age composition of species, their condition, growth rates and changes in their distribution and abundance. These programs took place in Scotland and the Netherlands and ran with much success. This Toolbox provides data sheets, manuals, sampling reports and explanatory videos from PANDORA’s self-sampling work in cooperation with the Scottish Pelagic Fisherman’s Association.