Fisheries

SAIC provides a wide range of fisheries and environmental services, including detailed analyses of commercial and recreational data on managed species, ecological characterizations of fish and invertebrates over a variety of different habitats, and impact analyses. 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.

In determining potential impacts to commercial and recreational fisheries, SAIC also uses state-of-the-art technologies such as Geographical Information System (GIS)-based plots. SAIC produces GIS plots by combining commercial fisheries catch block data with results from detailed fishermen interviews and overlays these data to display potential conflicts in the cable route with highly productive fishing areas.

SAIC has extensive experience characterizing marine and freshwater fish communities, including 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. SAIC has characterized deep-water fisheries using commercial otter trawls, and analysis of color video and photographic data collected using an remotely operated vehicle.

• SAIC has a staff of highly experienced fisheries scientists with expertise in fisheries management and impact analysis;
• SAIC programs have described existing conditions and potential impacts to both commercial and recreational species (fish and invertebrates);
• SAIC has produced hundreds of essential fish habitat (EFH) assessments, EIRs, and EISs, for many commercial and governmental clients.

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