A Data-Driven Fisheries System for the United States

A working vision for the Net Gains Alliance

The Net Gains Alliance was created in 2017 to improve the collection, management, and use of data and information for the sustainable management of fisheries and marine ecosystems. We believe that a modern, data-driven fisheries information system can provide significant additional social, economic and environmental benefits to people and nature alike. This document describes a vision of that data-driven future, with key elements and supporting actions to achieve it.

Easy reporting: Fishing activity data can be entered once and easily sent or made accessible to all the appropriate authorities. This means for any fisherman participating in data collection, captains submitting trip logbooks, or dealers sharing receipts, it’s easy to enter and contribute that data. Data validation and auto-filled fields from electronic sensors (such as weights from digital scales, and vessel locations from AIS, VMS or other GPS devices) help improve accuracy, reduce data entry time, and speed up reporting. Industry can keep copies of their electronic data - including EM - just as they keep copies from today’s paper systems and they can authorize NMFS to share validated data with vendors, exporters, and other partners to meet business and sustainability needs, such as maintaining third-party certifications. Unique trip identifiers and well-designed information management systems allow data to flow seamlessly and securely across states, NMFS, and regional data aggregators. Annual and in-season regulations are digital and searchable, allowing any angler or commercial vessel to stay on top of the rules.

What we need to get here:

  • Unique trip identifiers

  • Standardized data formats across state and federal systems

  • Data sharing/confidentiality agreements across agencies and public/private entities (like vendors)

  • Machine-readable, location-based digital regulations that can be integrated into electronic reporting applications and other fishing software

  • Human-centered design and user testing to improve the experience and performance of reporting tools

Trusted, timely data for decision making:  As fisheries data is captured, it is quickly validated and integrated into information for science and management decisions. Fisheries data needs are mapped to management objectives in a way that makes clear why certain data are collected and how to evaluate the best tool for the task. Managers, fishers, and scientists know the answer to critical questions in near real time, such as how close a fishery is to catch limits and interactions with protected species. Robust data governance, including an infrastructure of people and technology, supports the data system and frees up scientific capacity to take on critical ocean questions. Environmental data can be easily integrated with fishery-dependent data to inform stock assessments and forecasts. In turn, NMFS can easily share fisheries data with other NOAA offices and government partners, informing decisions about ocean zoning, small business support, disaster relief, and coastal adaptation. 

What we need to get here:

  • Better data sharing and access across NOAA management units, states, FINs, and Councils

  • Clear implementation plans / visions for getting from data needs identified in FMPs and other requirements (e.g. international agreements, 5-year research plans) to data streams

  • Data governance that enables the technical, social, and policy infrastructure for this improved data system

Technology that performs and is widely available: A shift to performance-based standards has enabled service providers to design more effective electronic tools. NMFS and the states have specified the level of performance they require from e-tickets, logbooks, and other technologies, and ceased prescribing system details in regulations or RFPs. Developers have flexibility to innovate and design tools that meet the different needs and use cases of individual sectors and fisheries, offering a market of options. Many services work off and online, and there is always a free or affordable tool to collect the subset of required data. Through public-private partnerships, including national broadband initiatives, ports and coastal communities are connected.

What we need to get here:

  • Best practices and performance standards at the national and regional levels to guide program development and procurement

  • Pre-competitive processes to share technical information with staff and fishery participants to inform program design

  • Clear technical specifications for vendors

  • Extended broadband coverage around ports and active fishing areas

Improved data literacy, governance, and management capacity at NMFS: Legal and policy staff have a core understanding of data and technology that helps them craft effective rules and regulations. 

NMFS scientists apply their data literacy to use their time wisely, bringing in data management and technology expertise as needed to free up their research and analytical capacity. A distributed network of data managers, data scientists, and developers across science centers, NMFS regions, and FINs have the professional support they need to share lessons across teams and stay abreast of innovations and best practices. Data governance processes bring together science, legal, IT, and data management staff to guide data flows in service of NMFS’ mission. NMFS provides regular public updates on the status of these investments in people, policy, processes and data infrastructure.

What we need to get here:

  • Investments in data management and analytics capacity and data literacy at science centers, regions, FINs, Councils,  and in Silver Spring, including hiring data specialists who can support science and policy staff

  • Investments in upgrading legacy technology

  • Professional support for staff, both new data specialists and helping upskill/train existing staff

  • Regular, publicly available progress updates on technology transformation, such as a fisheries-focused component of NOAA’s Federal Data Strategy reporting, annual results of data maturity matrices, or a data section of the regional Electronic Technology plans.