Working Groups
What is FINSS?
FINSS is a national system that characterizes NMFS ocean observation activities and data collection during the fishery-independent surveys, and provides up-to-date information to fishery scientists, managers and the general public through web services, i.e. digital mapping and tabular reporting applications, and data entry interface.
What is a fishery – independent survey?
A fishery-independent survey is a systematic sampling project carried out by research vessels or contracted commercial fishing vessels for gathering biological or environmental information, primarily focused on commercial fish or protected species for stock assessments.
What was the impetus for creating FINSS?
Fishery-independent observation information is one of the fundamental components of NMFS data sets that support management decisions on a day-to-day basis. The fishery-independent survey information is often necessary to support budget-related analyses and for cross-program collaborations. To meet the increasing need for an authoritative and integrated information source and sharing this information with the public, the NMFS Office and Science and Technology launched the Fishery-Independent Survey System – Survey Inventory (FINSS – SI) Project in 2008 with the endorsement of the NMFS Science Board.
What is the timeframe of surveys covered by FINSS?
The current system covers NMFS surveys conducted in FY2004 to present, and is updated at least once a year to keep information current.
How are FINSS data collected?
The data are provided by the data managers or survey leaders in the NMFS science centers and coordinated / compiled by the NMFS Office of Science and Technology. Please refer to the Data Call User Guide for details about the data request and glossary.
How to use FINSS?
FINSS includes the data entry interface, and digital mapping and tabular reporting applications. While the data entry interface is for authorized users only, the digital mapping and tabular reporting applications are open for the public to access with no security login required. The information about any surveys is structured in a hierarchical fashion, from survey level to cruise level and to station level. Please refer to the Public User's Manual for details about how to use FINSS.
