PacFIN Overview

The Pacific Fisheries Information Network (PacFIN) is the nation's first regional fisheries data network. Funded by a grant from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), PacFIN is a joint federal and state project focused on fisheries data collection and information management. PacFIN provides timely and accurate data to aid effective management of fisheries and fishery resources.

Data from fisheries occurring in ocean areas off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, and British Columbia are provided to the PacFIN central database.

The PacFIN central database includes fish-ticket and vessel registration data provided by the Washington, Oregon,and California (W-O-C) state fishery agencies. In addition the W-O-C data sources supply species-composition and catch-by-area proportions developed from their port sampling and trawl logbook data systems.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)/Northwest Region (NWR) supplies the central database with limited-entry permit data and the U.S. Coast Guard vessel data is also incorporated. The NMFS/Alaska Fishery Science Center (AFSC) inputs weekly aggregates developed from their tow-by-tow observer database.

The data for the Alaska groundfish fishery are provided by the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADFG) and the NMFS/Alaska Region (AKR) in the form of monthly aggregates.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Canada also makes a contribution to this West Coast fisheries data system.

The best estimates of catch for each groundfish species by month, area, and gear-type are developed from the source data mentioned above.