PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • June 26, 2025
NOAA fish stock assessments were once the envy of the world. The agency’s data stream included landings, aging data, skipper interviews, natural mortality estimates and biannual trawl surveys. These inputs supplied a statistical model critical for population analysis. Seasoned NOAA employees who were able to create a picture of the fish stocks in the ecosystem were replaced by private contractors who missed a lot of samples critical to identifying year classes. Logbook information often languished unused in a clunky NMFS database. The model “saw” less fish. There is some good news. The aggregate biomass in New England waters is very high. Fishing pressure is historically low. Given advancements in digital imaging and AI, time stamped and geo-located survey, already under development, can be fully developed and used. ~ Bill Gerencer, retired commercial fisherman, fishery manager and fishmonger