S.A.F.I.S Anywhere: Development of a Hand-Held Application for Fisheries Trip Reporting

The Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program (ACCSP) is a cooperative state-federal program. The Standard Atlantic Fisheries Information System (SAFIS) has become a critical component of fisheries data reporting. Expanding the SAFIS reporting options will help improve acceptance and reduce resistance amongst those required to report. ACCSP hired a contractor in June 2013 to develop hand-held software designed to transmit data in accordance with the existing API that is in compliance with the ACCSP Trip Reporting Standard. RI Department of Fish and Wildlife and RI Party Charter Boat Association (RIPCBA) worked in concert to recruit 10 RIPCBA captains for test pilot. Pilot data was validated against traditional trip reports and port samples. A feedback mechanism built in to the application and exit interviews provided end-user input. The basic hand-held software application will be available to any interested Program Partner at no cost. Interested vendors will be provided with source code to use in creating add-ons that could be made available for purchase. Capturing data in near real time during a fishing trip has the potential to increase data accuracy and precision and allow collection of data not obtained via traditional reporting methodology, such as vessel position and speed.