The May 2015 SMAST Yellowtail Flounder Survey begins, and we have our first update!
This innovative survey , another SMAST/industry collaborative, is underway. The Captain is Ronnie Borgeson. Ronnie has the F/V Angenette, which is his own boat. Crew is Tim Barrett of the F/V Odessa, Al Gerry of the F/V Raptor, and Meghan Lapp of Seafreeze Ltd. The SMAST team is Dr. Kevin Stokesbury, Erin Adams, Travis Lowery, and Eli Powell. Also on board is Don Cuddy of the Center for Sustainable Fisheries. We will be receiving daily updates from the vessel, and here is todays: Photos and the update here 15:04
This survey has had a great track record over the past three years. When analysis on the data was done after the last surveys, it showed more yellowtail in 4% of Georges Bank than NMFS survey numbers showed for the entirety of Georges Bank. And you can’t argue with the data, because there is video footage.