CONCLUDED
PROGRAMS
Data Collection – Discards
Recruitment, training and coordination of 48 boarding missions for Scientific Fisheries Observers in the fishing fleet registered and operating in the Autonomous Region of the Azores and its EEZ, to collect data on discards resulting from catches. These shipments represented seaExpert's greatest experience in coordinating fishing observer missions in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. In a region where the government finances its own observer management unit through POPA, it was a pride and a privilege to be able to carry out this work. Coordinating boarding missions on 5 of the 9 islands that make up the ARA proved to be an interesting challenge, which the company was able to meet with rigor and professionalism. Since 2012, however, and as a result of the serious management crisis that affected the University of the Azores, these boardings have never taken place.
Ao longo deste projeto foram contratados 4 Observadores a tempo inteiro, no decorrer de 48 Missões de embarque e respetivos relatórios, com 22 embarcações dos diversos segmentos de frota cobertas por observação e totalizando 110 dias de Mar.
Black Scabbardfish Program
The black scabbardfish program was carried out in mainland Portugal, more specifically in Sesimbra, Peniche, Figueira da Foz and Matosinhos, Madeira and the Azores. The processing of the data, resulting from both bibliographic research and on-site observations, was carried out by seaExpert in close collaboration with specialists from the Department of Oceanography and Fisheries at the University of the Azores. The data processed refers to: Catches, By-catch, Discards, Fishing gear, Fishing areas and Fishing stations. Their analysis made it possible to quantify the by-catch of deep-sea sharks by species, estimate the abundance index of deep-sea sharks in Portuguese waters, assess the degree of spatial overlap between deep-sea sharks and black scabbardfish, study and describe the distribution and dynamics of the different shark populations in areas where black scabbardfish occur, with the aim of identifying biologically sensitive areas where fishing should be avoided, and describe and propose possible technical improvements to the fishing gear used.
This program was made up of 15 observers, 10 in mainland Portugal, 3 in the Madeira Archipelago and 2 in the Azores Archipelago. A total of 48 vessels were involved, totalizing approximately 100 days at sea.