Professional Specialty Groups (PSGs)

The FIS Professional Specialty Groups (PSGs) are composed of representatives from regional offices, science centers, FINs (ACCSP, GulfFin, PacFin, AKFIN, WestPacFIN), and state agencies. The PSGs consist of experts from multiple disciplines who address a specific need or issue. This collaboration of effort is an example of the accomplishments of FIS and commitment of the program’s participants.

PSGs assist in the achievement of FIS goals including effective data collection and establishing information management best practices, policies, and procedures to improve the dissemination and quality of Fisheries information.

PSGs receive approval and direction from the PMT to complete priority functions, tasks, and projects. PSGs groups are formed to ensure that the requirements of national, regional, partner, and other constituents are addressed.

What we do

PSGs:

• Serve as national Fisheries expert teams to share ideas, successes, and experiences.
• Ensure the transparency, quality, integrity, and utility of Fisheries data through the development of FIS projects.
• Maximize the efficiency and cost effectiveness of Fisheries data by building both cross-regional and national level information systems.
• Consult with business area and technical experts, both internal and external, in order to provide guidance, mentorship and training in the development of regional, cross-regional, and national information management tools and services.
• Operate as the core subject matter expert team.

There are currently 3 PSGS in operation:

• Permits PSG:  This PSG will work to ensure that the data collected by permit systems provides the critical elements necessary to track people, companies, and vessels as they participate across time and space in federal and state fisheries.
• Trip Data Reconciliation PSG:  This PSG will examine reconciliation of trip reports of comparable data --- e.g., dealer reports of landings and vessel logbooks --- to assure the highest data quality for various users.
• Electronic Reporting PSG:  This PSG will identify and promote data collection systems that consider the business constraints of industry, are platform independent, and harmonize the data collection interface, so as to ensure timely catch statistics that meet the needs of Agencies tasked with oversight, management and enforcement, and reduce redundant reporting and improve data quality while fulfilling fishery regulations and confidentiality requirements.

PSG Documents

(forthcoming)

PSG Calendar

(forthcoming)