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South Georgia fishery resource surveys
Since 1989, MRAG has designed and implemented a series of six major international research cruises to assess the demersal fish resources around South Georgia. Services provided during these research cruises included:- Operations analysis and management
- Vessel charter
- Recruitment of scientists
- Co-ordination and support of the scientific team
- Database design and development
- Data collection and analysis
MRAG scientific staff take part in these surveys, which are undertaken in conjunction with the British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, UK.
Joint UK - Argentine research cruises in the south-west Atlantic
Since 1995, MRAG has also jointly planned and taken part in several fishery research cruises with INIDEP, the Argentine fisheries research institute to provide important data to inform the management of Patagonian squid (Illex argentinus) and finfish resources (particularly Southern blue whiting, Micromesistius australis) in the region. Squid are surveyed during a pre-recruit research cruise employing the swept-area method. In contrast finfish resources are examined using acoustic techniques. Experienced MRAG personnel are involved in monitoring catches and obtaining detailed biometric data from large samples of individual squid and acoustic surveys. Stock assessments are then derived from survey outputs, which inform management decisions in the region.
Vessel Monitoring Systems
In addition to our observer and logbook based data collection systems, MRAG is responsible for the set up and monitoring of a satellite Vessel Monitoring System for UK vessels operating within the CCAMLR Area. In accordance with the standards adopted by CCAMLR, this system provides the geographical position of the vessel, with a position error of less than 500 m with a confidence interval of 99%. In addition to regular messages, the system provides special messages when the vessel enters or leaves the Convention Area and when it moves between one CCAMLR area, subarea or division within the Convention Area.Additionally, MRAG was in collaboration with an engineering firm to respond to the responsibility to develop, supply, install and support a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) to track UK fishing vessels wherever they fish, and foreign vessels when fishing in UK waters (required under EC Regulation number 686/97). This VMS is required to receive, analyze and store position reports from at least 1000 fishing vessels, which are regularly transmitted via satellite link through Land Earth Stations. Workstation access is required from a number of existing, local and remote locations over dial up and network links using direct or store and forward.
Extension of VMS to carry different types of information
In conjunction with our preferred VMS technology partner, RACAL, MRAG is currently working on an EU funded project to prepare a blueprint for the transmission of different types of information from fishing vessels to fisheries managers via VMS. The project will calculate the cost of setting up and operating such a data collection system and evaluate the benefits of collecting catch and effort data via VMS. The study will also compare what has been achieved in this respect by using VMS applications in other parts of the world.
The satellite-based Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) applied in the European Community is being set up in two phases. In 1998, Member State authorities started monitoring specific categories of fishing vessels; by 2000 VMS will be applied to all Community fishing vessels exceeding 20 meters between perpendiculars (24 meters overall). From 2000, non-member country fishing vessels operating in the Community fishing zone will also have to be equipped with a satellite-based position monitoring system. At present, fishing vessels subject to VMS only have to transmit automatic position reports on a regular basis to the competent FMC (Fisheries Monitoring Center). Other information such as catch and effort data can also be sent to fisheries managers using VMS technology. Also, more information can be obtained from sensors linked to the VMS equipment.