Tag Archives: UMass Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology
SMAST wins patent on 3D counting, measuring fish on deck of a boat
A newly patented 3-D photograph system developed at the UMass Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology soon may greatly add to scientists’ knowledge about ocean fish populations, the school announced Tuesday. The device, the work of now-retired dean Dr. Brian Rothschild and graduate student Glenn Chamberlain, includes two digital cameras and a reference frame. Using a common technique called stereo photogrammetry, the device essentially uses 3-D images to map the surface of the fish. The reference frame will permit the monitoring not only of the number of fish, but their size. The fish can be on the deck, or in a net, and the data obtained can be stored permanently, Rothschild said. “The concept is very simple,” Rothschild said, and the parts are easily obtainable commercially; the two cameras cost about $500, he said. “We built one and it did work,” he said. Read the rest here 20:32
This is exciting! SMAST scientists improving cod counting technology
A new video system designed by UMass Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) scientists to assess the population of cod has passed its first major test, giving the researchers confidence that they can use this new approach to help improve the accuracy of future scientific assessments of this iconic species. Recent stock assessments indicate that the Gulf of Maine cod population is low and struggling to recover. Members of the fishing industry contest those results, suggesting the stock is much healthier than depicted in recent assessments. Video, Read the rest here 06:03
SMAST professor researches fishing nets to help save juvenile haddock
Many commercial fishermen are appalled by regulations that force them to throw undersized fish back into the sea, when they are likely to be already dead. To reduce the unwanted catch of juvenile haddock, professor Pingguo He, a researcher at the UMass Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology, has undertaken a project that could adapt a Norwegian net device to the nets used by the fishing industry on Georges Bank. The Norwegian nets have reportedly proved effective in letting juvenile haddock escape the net and have a much better chance of reaching maturity. Read the rest here 07:33
NOAA/NMFS begins fence-mending with Northeast fishermen – After they killed most of them off!
NOAA/NMFS this week undertook an effort to build trust and cooperation from the New England fishing industry by including the industry in upcoming groundfish stock assessments. Dr. Kevin Stokesbury (SMAST) is concerned about the inaccuracy of the various computer models being used to evaluate trends from year to year. As those who attend fisheries council meetings know all too well, the models regularly show discrepancies from one year to the next. These “retrospective patterns” are corrected by amending previous years’ estimates, which indicate an ongoing problem with the models, Stokesbury said. Read the rest here 07:55
Working Waterfront Festival – Annual blessing, UMass Dartmouth SMAST Recieves Friend of the Fishing Industry award
James Kendall, of New Bedford Seafood Consulting, also spoke, and presented Offshore Mariners’ Wives Association Friend of the Fishing Industry awards to members of the UMass Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology . Kendall said in the past, the award went to key members of SMAST, or “captains.” “This year, we would like to try something a little different. This year we want to acknowledge their mate and crew,” Kendall said, referring to members of SMAST faculty and students. Read the rest here 17:15
New Bedford: Scallop buyers get lessons in science, regulation
Scallop boats are allowed only about 32 days at sea per year, but scallops are so abundant and lucrative that working on a boat still can be extremely rewarding. Eastern Fisheries’ veteran captain Christopher Audette, who after 20 years on the water looks and sounds like someone from central casting, told the foreign visitors that deck hands on his boat took home more than $200,000 last year. Read more here southcoast 07:53
Fisheries issues, policies to get a close look – The effort is being spurred by the Federal Fishery Advisory Board
Three of the biggest problems in fisheries management in the Northeast will be tackled soon by a top-to-bottom review led by the UMass Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology. It is being called an “end-to-end” review and will be led by Steve Cadrin at SMAST, according to Brian Rothschild, SMAST dean emeritus. continue
