Our commitment
Research & Science
The Deep Sea Trawlers Association (DSTA) and the Canadian Groundfish Research and Conservation Society (CGRCS) are deeply committed to advancing sustainable fisheries through rigorous, science-based decision making. To demonstrate this commitment, we are highlighting key examples of the collaborative science that underpins groundfish/the trawl industry management in British Columbia. One of the most comprehensive of these efforts is the annual DFO Groundfish Survey Program, an exemplary model of partnership between industry and government.
In annual industry funding to research and stock assessment
Number of different fish species that we collect data and stock assessment for
Number of trawl science and stock assessment surveys conducted annually
Key Benefits of Fishery Surveys
Supports Sustainable Practices
Provides critical data for stock assessments to help determine Total Allowable Catch limitations.
Enhances Collaborative Efforts
Engages communities, scientists, and stakeholders for shared goals.
Boosts Marine Science
Expands knowledge of marine ecosystems while also providing critical science for third-party sustainability certifications.
Informs Policy Decisions
Guides fisheries management and regulations by providing data on fish abundance and trends over time.
Stock assessment surveys are fishery - independent comprehensive collaborative
Synoptic Bottom Trawl Surveys
Synoptic bottom trawl surveys are a key part of how we monitor the health of BC’s groundfish stocks. Run by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the Canadian Groundfish Research and Conservation Society (CGRCS), these surveys happen every year across four different regions of the coast: Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound in odd-numbered years, and the West Coast of Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii in even-numbered years. Some surveys use Coast Guard research vessels, while others use chartered commercial boats. The goal is to collect reliable, coast-wide data on fish populations using a consistent method, towing a bottom trawl for 20 minutes at randomly chosen sites between 50 and 500 metres deep. In 2025, for example, scientists planned 240 successful tows across 288 sites, collecting important biological details like species, age, sex, and length. This data is used to track fish populations, inform stock assessments, and guide sustainable management of the fishery.
Acoustic Surveys
Hake is one of the most important species in the midwater trawl fishery and is jointly managed by Canada and the U.S. Because hake are highly migratory, the main way we track their population is through bi-annual acoustic-trawl surveys that span from California to Haida Gwaii. These surveys are conducted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), using research vessels that follow predetermined transect lines. Onboard, acousticians and biologists use sonar to locate hake schools and midwater trawls to collect samples. They carefully measure species composition, size, age, sex, weight, and maturity to validate sonar readings and produce accurate population estimates. The surveys also include environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling and ecosystem monitoring. In alternating years, a second research-focused survey takes place to calibrate gear, test new technologies, and collect broader ecological data, helping scientists better understand the hake ecosystem.