# Presentation: 351551

## Archival backup and digital accessibility of historical Alaska and West Coast groundfish survey data

- Principal Investigator: Robin Harrison, AFSC
- Co-Principal Investigator:	Nancy Roberson, AFSC
- NOAA/NMFS/Alaska Fisheries Science Center, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA  98115

## Scientific Rationale

- NMFS RACE Groundfish Task conducts annual trawl surveys in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, Gulf of Alaska, and West Coast
_**These data are important because they are**_
- the only source for original field observation details for most of the years until the 1990’s
- climatological and environmental observations and handwritten explanatory comments
- the definitive master data source for the recorded observations, including catch sampling weights and numbers by species
- biomass estimates based on these data are an essential component of the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council’s groundfish stock assessments

## General Approach for Project

- _Intent_
- Create new relational database (RACEBASE2) using historical trawl data
- _The general steps to be taken by the overall project_
- Scan data sheets into .pdf files, check for readability
- _How much data are there?_
- The data set consists of over 1,800 binders containing over 500,000 pages
- _Data are recorded in an assortment of formats_
- 1. 	Handwritten data forms on plain, waterproof paper, plastic sheets
- Computer printouts of summary or computer collected data
- Small data printouts taped or glued to standard paper
- Large format (8.5” x 17”) photocopied bridge logs
- _The end product of this project:_
- Digitized data sheets will made available via the web (website to be created)

## FY 2007 Plans

- _Tasks to be accomplished in FY07:_
- Group the data by year:
- Pre-1974  (32 binders) Early, non-standardized surveys in Alaska
- 1975-2006 (1,828 binders) Annual, standardized surveys in the Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian Island, and West Coast
- Scan data sheets in the binders starting from the earliest data to the present

## Data Types

- Normal deck sheets
- Haul/position forms
- Photocopied bridge logs
- Taped sheets
- Length frequency forms
- Samples of some of the formats...

## Data Sample typical data deck sheet

- catch ‘on-deck’ forms and specimen data sheets

## Data Sample typical haul/position form 

## Data Sample photocopied bridge log

**Data Sample**** **photocopied bridge log

## Data Sample taped sheet 

## CDMP Proposal Evaluation Criteria

_**Supports NOAA’s Ecosystem and Climate Strategic Goals**_
_**Contribution to improved data access and rescue**_
- Essential data which now exists only on original forms
- Supports repopulation of next-generation database that will be  available for the first time
_**General merit to overall program**_
- Relating environmental conditions to changes in relative stock abundance has increased in importance as NOAA shifts toward an ecosystem approach to management
- Shift from historical practice of managing single species based solely on abundance trends and population biology traits** **

## Value to climate community 
Historical weather observations from vessels participating in the annual and biennial surveys
Cost effectiveness
Currently, access to data requires on-site presence
Internet accessibility (especially those in Alaska) would reduce travel and/or copying costs associated with on-site examination
Ease of digitization by the contractors
Most sheets should be suitable for rapid scanning
Some will require extra care or handling

- Historical weather observations from vessels participating in the annual and biennial surveys
_**Cost effectiveness**_
- Currently, access to data requires on-site presence
- Internet accessibility (especially those in Alaska) would reduce travel and/or copying costs associated with on-site examination
_**Ease of digitization by the contractors**_
- Most sheets should be suitable for rapid scanning
- Some will require extra care or handling

**CDMP Proposal Evaluation Criteria**