Fisheries

Highly Experienced Scientists

SAIC’s staff are highly experienced scientists with expertise in fisheries management and impact analysis. SAIC uses current fisheries databases from many different sources, including governmental agencies, published literature, and direct interaction with fishermen to accurately characterize commercial and recreational fisheries in different regions.

Our programs describe existing conditions and potential impacts to both commercial and recreational species (fish and invertebrates). SAIC has produced hundreds of essential fish habitat (EFH) assessments, Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs), and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), for many commercial and government customers.

State-of-the-Art Sampling Approaches

In determining potential impacts to commercial and recreational fisheries, SAIC also uses state-of-the-art technologies such as Geographic Information System (GIS)-based plots. We produce GIS plots by combining commercial fisheries catch block data with results from detailed fishermen interviews. We overlay these data to display potential conflicts in the cable route or other offshore development projects with productive fishing areas.

Our extensive experience characterizing marine and freshwater fish communities includes Endangered Species Act (ESA) species such as salmon, and commercial and recreational fisheries in a wide range of habitats and in many areas of the world, using traditional sampling gear (purse seines, otter trawls, beam trawls, and beach seines) and the most modern technologies available. We characterize deep-water fisheries using commercial otter trawls and analysis of color video and photographic data collected using remotely operated vehicles and manned submersibles.