Objectives

• Establish a prototype database that can provide accurate and efficient description of NMFS Fishery -independent observation capabilities;

• Contribute to the S&T data management plan and develop tools to facilitate collaboration among the NMFS Headquarters, Science Centers and Regional Offices;

• Provide information on NMFS surveys to support planning and budgeting processes, and to address questions originating from inside and outside of government; and

• Provide the Ocean.US, the National Office for Integrated and Sustained Ocean Observations, and NOAA Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) with a one-year snapshot of NMFS fishery-independent survey data, including survey characteristics, locations, and parameters (physical, chemical, and biological) measured.

Captain Robert A. Pawlowski, NOAA Corps (left & right); Joseph Schebal, NOAA (middle)