Uplifting local observations in fisheries management processes.  

Skipper Science and the NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) have been working together since the fall of 2022 to identify ways that data from Skipper Science observations can be incorporated into stock assessments and other science relevant to federal fisheries management. This has evolved from the data being mentioned in presentations, to Skipper Science reports published and presented with agency-led fisheries science to management bodies. We work to continue to evolve how to integrate what you see on the water with federal fisheries management.

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Timeline of achievements: 

• 2022: Data collected through Skipper Science by fishermen was first included in a presentation made by AFSC to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) in 2022. 

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• 2024: A report of data collected through Skipper Science was published in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Ecosystem Status Report (ESR). Link to read the report HERE. (pg 207)

 

• 2025: A report was prepared but the government furlough prevented publication as planned. The Skipper Science team attended the NPFMC meeting in December and provided public comment uplifting the report and participation of fishermen in lieu of the publication for that meeting.