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Fisheries catch sampling and data collection
Sampling across Ireland covers varied fishing activity and creates reliable datasets for scientific research and stock assessment.
Annual sampling coverage
Each year, the programme uses three complementary sampling routes:
- placing observers on around 100 fishing trips
- carrying out 300–400 port sampling visits
- working with fishers who provide samples through self-sampling schemes
What data is collected
The programme records biological and fisheries data from commercial catches, including:
- total catch volumes
- species composition
- fish length measurements
- age data for species that can be aged
- by-catch, including endangered and protected species
- discard rates across different fisheries
How the data supports research
Researchers can use the sampling data to:
- track year classes, or cohorts, over time
- analyse age structure within catches
- monitor changes in stock abundance
- support fisheries and ecosystem models
Working with the fishing industry
Access to commercial fishing vessels allows us to work with the fishing industry to:
- place observers at sea
- collect representative catch samples
- improve data coverage across fisheries
Accessing fisheries data
Researchers planning a project or seeking to complement an existing dataset can request access to fisheries sampling data.