Fisheries Independent/Scuba Assessment Project

Both fishery-dependent and fishery-independent data are used to make informed management decisions regarding marine resources. Fishery-dependent data rely on direct observations of the fishery through market sampling, on-board observer programs, landing receipts, and logbooks. Fishery-independent data, on the other hand, rely on direct observations of species, populations, and ecosystems.

Fishery-independent data are collected using a variety of methods and equipment. Fishing surveys (trawls or other nets), underwater surveys (scuba), and mark-recapture efforts (tags) are often used to collect information. Fishery-independent methods collect standardized information from all life stages of a species, not just information that is marketable or utilized by a fishery.

Fishery-independent research and monitoring often collects essential fishery information (or "EFI"). EFI is information about the biology and harvest of a fish species, and is important for sustainable fisheries management. Some examples of EFI include indices of abundance, total mortality, movement patterns, age, and growth.

The Fisheries Independent/Scuba Assessment project staff work in southern California (Los Alamitos), and central California (Monterey). The southern California staff is currently studying abundance and movement patterns of surf fishes in the Southern California Bight, and habitat characteristics and movement patterns of barred sand bass. The central California staff is currently studying abundance, mortality and movements of nearshore fishes within Carmel Bay, including the Carmel Pinnacles State Marine Reserve; kelp greenling age, growth, and maturity; and age validation for cabezon and kelp greenling. The central California staff also provides oversight for, coordinates, and administers the DFG Diving Safety Program.