IBSS has been awarded a 4-year contract to provide Fishery Disaster Assessment Support services to NOAA’s Fisheries Office of Science and Technology (OST). Fisheries disasters are declared by the Secretary of Commerce upon a sudden and unexpected loss to fishermen and their communities. NOAA Fisheries defines disasters as “events such as hurricanes and typhoons, oil spills, harmful algal blooms, and other natural and man-made events that cause a commercial fishery to be harmed or fail, leading to serious economic impact for fishers and their communities.” Since fisheries are a valuable asset to our coastal communities and economy, Team IBSS will provide services to allow NOAA Fisheries to continue conserving and managing our Nation’s living marine resources and their habitats.

Through this project, Team IBSS will provide relief efforts through rapid assessment surveys of damages incurred by the fishing industry post-disaster. Team IBSS will create and release outreach materials to notify impacted individuals of their ability to report monetary losses of their business. Additionally, Team IBSS will conduct a survey of fishery-related businesses and individuals as well as establish a website and electronic database to collect damage information. We will also provide customized analysis of data in real-time to support assessments. Our efforts will aide in maintaining and improving the quality and credibility of NOAA Fisheries’ scientific activities.

As a trusted NOAA partner for 19 years, IBSS looks forward continuing our ongoing services by advancing their mission.