Ocean Planning in the Northeast

To help enhance that understanding, a project to map commercial fisheries in New England began in 2012. Starting with existing data available for certain fisheries, map products were developed and discussed with the fishing industry, scientists, and managers. A project report summarizes the results of this initial phase, and work will continue to produce more complete information.

This work led to a second phase, which began in 2014, and included:

• VMS maps: adding additional years from 2011-2014, separation of fishing from vessel transit using vessel speed calculations, and incorporating spatial fishery management measures such as closed areas;
• Comparison of map results from various federally available data sources;
• Investigating the best, regionally consistent source of information to map lobster fishing activity;
• Pilot testing an electronic catch and location reporting device for party / charter vessels.

Documents and Reports

Phase I Documents:

• Commercial Fisheries Spatial Characterization, Final Report to the Northeast Regional Ocean Council (PDF) (66pp, 2.2M)
• Commercial Fisheries Spatial Characterization, Appendices B-C (PDF) (38pp, 14.7M)
• Commercial Fisheries Spatial Characterization, Appendices D-G (PDF) (17pp, 1.5M)
• Mapping Commercial Fisheries Factsheet (PDF) (2pp, 743K)

Phase II Documents:

• Commercial Fisheries Spatial Characterization, Phase II, Final Report to the Northeast Regional Ocean Council (PDF) (37pp, 3.0M)
• Commercial Fisheries Spatial Characterization, Phase II, Appendices (PDF) (19pp, 17.0M)

• Developed a series of maps showing use of the ocean by certain fisheries, relying on existing data (such as Vessel Monitoring System information). Vessel speed calculations from VMS data were produced to distinguish between fishing and vessel transit.
• Met with hundreds of fishermen, managers, and scientists throughout New England to discuss the draft maps and the overall ocean planning effort.
• Produced a report summarizing Phase I of the project (through the summer of 2013) and providing recommendations for Phase II (through 2014)—Final Report (PDF) (66pp, 2.2M), Appendices B-C (PDF) (38pp, 14.7M), Appendices D-G (PDF) (17pp, 1.5M).
• Produced a report summarizing Phase II of the project—Phase II Final Report (PDF) (37pp, 3.0M), Phase II Appendices (PDF) (19pp, 17.0M).
• VMS and VTR derived maps can be used to show regional fishing patterns for fisheries. It is important to recognize the strengths and limitations of different mapping techniques and data sources and, depending on the specific interest and issue, to use other methods to best characterize commercial fishing patterns in New England.
• Engagement of the fishing industry, managers, scientists, and the public is critical to map development and understanding.
• For certain federally-managed fisheries, published VMS-derived maps on the Northeast Ocean Data Portal.
• The eTrips electronic reporting device for reporting catch and location of party / charter vessels has much potential to accurately characterize party / charter fishing in New England. This would require widespread use of the device regionally.

• Incorporate maps into Regional Ocean Plan being develop by the Regional Planning Body (RPB)
• Continue to publish and update maps with appropriate descriptions and caveats on the Northeast Ocean Data Portal.