Challenges in collecting age composition data from commercial catches of the Barents sea bottom fishes

Abstract

The paper presents the rationale for collecting information on the structure of catches and the distribution of bottom fish species (and in particular North-East Arctic cod) on fishing vessels in the Barents Sea and adjacent waters by observers of the Polar Branch of FSBSI «VNIRO» («PINRO» named after N.M. Knipovich). The problems that arise during the work of a scientific observer are described. Possible solutions to solve the problems of collecting materials on commercial catches are proposed. Increase of the scientific observers number on bottom fish fisheries and elevation of their legal status is recommended. A fundamentally new scheme for collecting information on the size distribution of fish in commercial catches by the crews of fishing vessels has been proposed.