Southeast Area Monitoring & Assessment Program: Bottom Longline Survey

Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission

• Bottom Longline Survey Station Map
• SEAMAP Data Download
• Data Structure Documentation
• Operation Manual

About SEAMAP Gulf of Mexico: Bottom Longline Survey

The SEAMAP Bottom Longline Survey is a nearshore survey that complements an existing long-term fisheries independent longline survey being conducted by NOAA Fisheries, by targeting shark and finfish species within the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The objectives of the survey are to collect information on shark and finfish abundances and distribution with a 1-mile longline and to collect environmental data.

The Bottom Longline Survey samples during three seasons Spring (April-May), Summer (June-July), and Fall (August-September). Sampling is conducted in waters defined by the 3-10m depth contour. NMFS Statistical Zones are used as guides to ensure effective distribution of sampling effort. Stations are proportionally allocated and randomly distributed within the 3-10m depth contour in each statistical zone based on the proportion of those depths present. Since the 3-10m depth strata is smaller in some statistical zones relative to other statistical zones, each statistical zone is allocated at least two stations during each season in order to ensure adequate sampling coverage.