Fisheries Sampling Branch Observer Operations Manual 2016

The purpose of this guide is to provide FSB observers, as well as end users of NEFSC Observer Program data, with a detailed description of the observer data collection protocols. For each fishery, background information is provided as well as definitions, common gear configurations, suggestions for sampling methodologies, and unusual circumstances that may be encountered. In addition to this manual, the NEFSC Observer Data Entry Manual provides detailed instructions for each data field collected, and the NEFSC Observer On‐Deck Manual provides summaries and tables intended to enable observers to quickly determine the correct sampling protocols and methods while at sea.