Phase Two

  • Develop iPod application for field data collection.
  • Design iPod jig for data collection.
  • Draft Instructions on use of iPod for data collection.
  • Begin data collection.
  • Analyze head features data to forked length to determine relationship.

Phase Three

  • Develop smartphone application that will estimate length and weight of halibut from a digital photo of halibut head.
  • Field test iPod application on halibut heads.
  • Write report of findings.
  • Disseminate information to stakeholders.

Goals

The survivability of halibut, after being caught and released, improves with less handling and quicker release times.  With halibut regulations for charter fishing anglers becoming more restrictive, anglers will be forced to release more halibut either because there are size restrictions on the halibut that can be kept or the need to be selective in the choice of halibut being kept due to reduced bag limits.  The HARM Reduction Project aims at reducing handling and release times by providing a means to measure halibut in the water without having to physically bring the halibut aboard a vessel for measurement. The goal is to develop a smartphone application that could be used by charter captains to accomplish this task.


Benefits

  • More halibut will survive release.

  • Improved safety for crew and anglers from handling large fish.

  • Anglers would have a means to gain recognition for trophy halibut releases. 

  • Promotes conservation and responsible fishing behavior.

  • May eventually lead to credit against current release mortality rates.

Phase One

  • Select identifiable halibut head features.
  • Test various photo reference markers  that could be used to digitally determine distances between head features.
  • Compare digital measurements with physical measurements to determine confidence level.
  • Develop protocol for gathering data on halibut heads.