Abstract
The West Coast Groundfish Bottom Trawl Survey (WCGBTS) is a key source of fishery-independent data used for stock assessments and groundfish management.
We ensure the sustainability of marine fisheries by providing a time series of catch and biological data of groundfish populations to stock assessors and fisheries managers.
We collect data on the abundance, spatial distribution, sex, length, maturity, weight, and age of groundfish in trawlable shelf and slope habitats along the U.S. West Coast. Our surveys generate a unique blend of data supporting agency priorities to develop Next Generation Stock Assessments. Since 2003, our survey data have informed virtually every groundfish stock assessment and contributed to the successful management of west coast stocks.