Challenges and Solutions Implementing Ereporting: An Ad Hoc Approach to a Regional-Centric Plan for Integrating New Technologies for Observer Data Collection within the Pacific Island Region

In late 2013, The Pacific Island Region (PIR) Observer Program began laying the foundation to build an electronic reporting platform that would augment the existing observer collection process within the Hawaii and American Samoa Longline Fisheries.  To build, integrate, and logically evaluate an electronic platform that is specific to the PIR region, eReporting proposes to transition from current methods to electronic methods in a “phased-timeline” utilizing an “adaptive strategy” of integration that scales gradually.  The goals of PIR Observer Program eReporting Pilot Project are to: (a) systematically move the Observer Program towards efficient paperless data collection; (b) optimize timeliness and accuracy of data; and, (c) find creative ways to reduce program costs without compromising data integrity.  Phase progress is informed, communicated, and measured by a series of “Objectives and Key Results" (OKRs).  The OKRs method is a platform to evaluate project success and failure.  The success of this project is predicated on our ability to effectively track and disseminate relevant analytics that inform project progress.