Office of Marine and Aviation Operations

ALBATROSS IV Conducts Testing of the New NMFS/OMAO
Fisheries Scientific Computer System

The NOAA Ship ALBATROSS IV has just completed testing of the NMFS/OMAO Fisheries Scientific Computer System (FSCS).  This new system, funded in part by the ESDIM program, uses a “digital” method of recording catch information instead of the old paper log.  The science team and computer specialists on board Albatross IV worked long hours putting the new system through its paces.  After a few more refinements, the new FSCS will be ready for full operation in time for the first Winter Bottom Trawl Survey cruise in late January 2001.  It is then anticipated that the system will be placed on other fisheries research vessels throughout the NOAA fleet, with the DELAWARE II being the next potential platform.

The new FSCS hardware suite consists of 2 redundant network servers and 3 each of the following: sampling location PCs,  touch screen terminals, digital electronic fish measuring boards, label printers, bar code scanners, and digital electronic weight scales.  Three sampling locations were set up on deck where the catch processing and recording was performed.   Each sampling location on deck consists of a rugged LCD touch screen display, digital electronic fish measuring board, bar code scanner, and digital weight scale.  All catch information from species type to individual fish lengths and weights are entered into the system.  Fish boards are used to measure lengths, label printers to mark samples for storage, and the touch screens are used to enter species type, gender, maturity, stomach contents, etc. The system also performs self audits to find data entry errors and other inconsistencies.

While on leg III of the fall ground fish survey, the science team took every opportunity to test the various features of the FSCS.  Chief Scientist Holly McBride and Watch Chief John Galbraith were known for their excitement in identifying obscure sub-sampling requirements and testing FSCS’s ability to handle those situations.  Toward the end of the trip the science team was comfortable enough with the new system that they began to customize it.  The sound of Homer Simpson’s famous “duh” was used to indicate errors in data entered or selections made.    All of the scientific personnel were comfortable using the FSCS, thus showing the user friendliness of the system.

The software developers for the new system, Dennis Shields and Dave Benigni (OMAO) and Paul Kostovick (NMFS), declared the trip a huge success; 48 stations were digitally recorded.  When compared to their paper log counterparts, the digital FSCS showed fewer errors and was faster and easier to use.   The system is very close to being ready. A few software refinements along with issues such as documentation and training need to be addressed in the next few months to ensure complete success of the system.  Once the FSCS is operational, it will dramatically improve the speed and accuracy of data collection.  This will, in turn, improve the timeliness with which survey data is made available to other scientists, fish councils, and the general public.