Description: This dataset broadly characterizes the density of commercial fishing transit activity regardless of fishery, or if declared out of fishery, in the northeastern U.S. based on fishing vessels with Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) from 2015 to 2016. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) describes VMS as a satellite surveillance system primarily used to monitor the location and movement of commercial fishing vessels in the U.S. This dataset was created using VMS position records for vessels travelling at a speed of greater than five knots, which was the speed minimum used to identify vessels only engaged in transit activity. Raw VMS data from NMFS were processed into geospatial point products and analyzed to create density grids. The point data were filtered to remove vessel positions which did not meet the "Rule of Three" criteria required by NMFS due to data confidentiality. More information on the Rule of Three is available within the metadata. Data values are standardized and are best interpreted qualitatively. An absence of data does not indicate an absence of fishing transit activity.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), RPS
Description: This dataset broadly characterizes the density of commercial fishing transit activity regardless of fishery, or if declared out of fishery, in the northeastern U.S. based on fishing vessels with Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) from 2015 to 2016. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) describes VMS as a satellite surveillance system primarily used to monitor the location and movement of commercial fishing vessels in the U.S. This dataset was created using VMS position records for vessels travelling at a speed of greater than six knots, which was the speed minimum used to identify vessels only engaged in transit activity. Raw VMS data from NMFS were processed into geospatial point products and analyzed to create density grids. The point data were filtered to remove vessel positions which did not meet the "Rule of Three" criteria required by NMFS due to data confidentiality. More information on the Rule of Three is available within the metadata. Data values are standardized and are best interpreted qualitatively. An absence of data does not indicate an absence of fishing transit activity.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), RPS
Description: Fishery: All<br/> Time Period: 2015-2019<br/> Filtered for Confidentiality: 1.33%<br/> <br/> This dataset broadly characterizes the density of commercial fishing vessel transit activity from January 2015 through December 2019, for all vessels where speed over ground is >4 knots, and that are required by NOAA Fisheries to carry a Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS). The purpose of this data is to understand potential fisheries related transit. This data is for visualization, display, and informational purposes only; not necessarily for analysis or quantification purposes.
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) describes VMS as a satellite surveillance system primarily used to monitor the location and movement of commercial fishing vessels in the U.S. This dataset was created using VMS position records for vessels travelling at a speed of greater than 5 knots, which was the speed minimum used to identify vessels only engaged in transit activity. Raw VMS data from NMFS were processed into geospatial point products and analyzed to create density grids for select fisheries. The point data were filtered to remove vessel positions which did not meet the "Rule of Three" criteria required by NMFS due to data confidentiality. A total of 1.33% of these VMS records were filtered for confidentiality. More information on the Rule of Three is available within the metadata. Data values are standardized and are best interpreted qualitatively. An absence of data does not indicate an absence of fishing activity.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), RPS
Description: Fishery: All<br/> Time Period: 2015-2019<br/> Filtered for Confidentiality: 1.63%<br/> <br/> This dataset broadly characterizes the density of commercial fishing vessel transit activity from January 2015 through December 2019, for all vessels where speed over ground is >5 knots, and that are required by NOAA Fisheries to carry a Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS). The purpose of this data is to understand potential fisheries related transit. This data is for visualization, display, and informational purposes only; not necessarily for analysis or quantification purposes.
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) describes VMS as a satellite surveillance system primarily used to monitor the location and movement of commercial fishing vessels in the U.S. This dataset was created using VMS position records for vessels travelling at a speed of greater than 5 knots, which was the speed minimum used to identify vessels only engaged in transit activity. Raw VMS data from NMFS were processed into geospatial point products and analyzed to create density grids for select fisheries. The point data were filtered to remove vessel positions which did not meet the "Rule of Three" criteria required by NMFS due to data confidentiality. A total of 1.63% of these VMS records were filtered for confidentiality. More information on the Rule of Three is available within the metadata. Data values are standardized and are best interpreted qualitatively. An absence of data does not indicate an absence of fishing activity.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), RPS
Description: Fishery: All<br/> Time Period: 2015-2019<br/> Filtered for Confidentiality: 1.74%<br/> <br/> This dataset broadly characterizes the density of commercial fishing vessel transit activity from January 2015 through December 2019, for all vessels where speed over ground is >6 knots, and that are required by NOAA Fisheries to carry a Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS). The purpose of this data is to understand potential fisheries related transit. This data is for visualization, display, and informational purposes only; not necessarily for analysis or quantification purposes.
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) describes VMS as a satellite surveillance system primarily used to monitor the location and movement of commercial fishing vessels in the U.S. This dataset was created using VMS position records for vessels travelling at a speed of greater than 6 knots, which was the speed minimum used to identify vessels only engaged in transit activity. Raw VMS data from NMFS were processed into geospatial point products and analyzed to create density grids for select fisheries. The point data were filtered to remove vessel positions which did not meet the "Rule of Three" criteria required by NMFS due to data confidentiality. A total of 1.74% of these VMS records were filtered for confidentiality. More information on the Rule of Three is available within the metadata. Data values are standardized and are best interpreted qualitatively. An absence of data does not indicate an absence of fishing activity.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), RPS
Name: VMS Transit Density Multispecies/Monkfish 2015-2019 (>4 knots)
Display Field:
Type: Raster Layer
Geometry Type: null
Description: Fishery: Multispecies (groundfish) (NMS) and Monkfish (MNK)<br/> Time Period: 2015-2019<br/> Filtered for Confidentiality: 5.17%<br/> <br/> This dataset broadly characterizes the density of commercial fishing vessel transit activity from January 2015 through December 2019, for all vessels declared into the Multispecies or Monkfish fishery in the northeastern U.S., where speed over ground is >4 knots, and that are required by NOAA Fisheries to carry a Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS). The purpose of this data is to understand potential fisheries related transit. This data is for visualization, display, and informational purposes only; not necessarily for analysis or quantification purposes. <br/>The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) describes VMS as a satellite surveillance system primarily used to monitor the location and movement of commercial fishing vessels in the U.S. This dataset was created using VMS position records for vessels travelling at a speed of greater than 4 knots, which was the speed minimum used to identify vessels only engaged in transit activity. Raw VMS data from NMFS were processed into geospatial point products and analyzed to create density grids for select fisheries. The point data were filtered to remove vessel positions which did not meet the "Rule of Three" criteria required by NMFS due to data confidentiality. A total of 5.17% of these VMS records were filtered for confidentiality. More information on the Rule of Three is available within the metadata. Data values are standardized and are best interpreted qualitatively. An absence of data does not indicate an absence of fishing activity.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), RPS
Name: VMS Transit Density Multispecies/Monkfish 2015-2019 (>5 knots)
Display Field:
Type: Raster Layer
Geometry Type: null
Description: Fishery: Multispecies (groundfish) (NMS) and Monkfish (MNK)<br/> Time Period: 2015-2019<br/> Filtered for Confidentiality: 5.72%<br/> <br/> This dataset broadly characterizes the density of commercial fishing vessel transit activity from January 2015 through December 2019, for all vessels declared into the Multispecies or Monkfish fishery in the northeastern U.S., where speed over ground is >5 knots, and that are required by NOAA Fisheries to carry a Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS). The purpose of this data is to understand potential fisheries related transit. This data is for visualization, display, and informational purposes only; not necessarily for analysis or quantification purposes. <br/>The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) describes VMS as a satellite surveillance system primarily used to monitor the location and movement of commercial fishing vessels in the U.S. This dataset was created using VMS position records for vessels travelling at a speed of greater than 5 knots, which was the speed minimum used to identify vessels only engaged in transit activity. Raw VMS data from NMFS were processed into geospatial point products and analyzed to create density grids for select fisheries. The point data were filtered to remove vessel positions which did not meet the "Rule of Three" criteria required by NMFS due to data confidentiality. A total of 5.72% of these VMS records were filtered for confidentiality. More information on the Rule of Three is available within the metadata. Data values are standardized and are best interpreted qualitatively. An absence of data does not indicate an absence of fishing activity.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), RPS
Name: VMS Transit Density Multispecies/Monkfish 2015-2019 (>6 knots)
Display Field:
Type: Raster Layer
Geometry Type: null
Description: Fishery: Multispecies (groundfish) (NMS) and Monkfish (MNK)<br/> Time Period: 2015-2019<br/> Filtered for Confidentiality: 6.65%<br/> <br/> This dataset broadly characterizes the density of commercial fishing vessel transit activity from January 2015 through December 2019, for all vessels declared into the Multispecies or Monkfish fishery in the northeastern U.S., where speed over ground is >6 knots, and that are required by NOAA Fisheries to carry a Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS). The purpose of this data is to understand potential fisheries related transit. This data is for visualization, display, and informational purposes only; not necessarily for analysis or quantification purposes. <br/>The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) describes VMS as a satellite surveillance system primarily used to monitor the location and movement of commercial fishing vessels in the U.S. This dataset was created using VMS position records for vessels travelling at a speed of greater than 6 knots, which was the speed minimum used to identify vessels only engaged in transit activity. Raw VMS data from NMFS were processed into geospatial point products and analyzed to create density grids for select fisheries. The point data were filtered to remove vessel positions which did not meet the "Rule of Three" criteria required by NMFS due to data confidentiality. A total of 6.65% of these VMS records were filtered for confidentiality. More information on the Rule of Three is available within the metadata. Data values are standardized and are best interpreted qualitatively. An absence of data does not indicate an absence of fishing activity.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), RPS
Name: VMS Transit Density Gulf of Maine 2015-2019 (>4 knots)
Display Field:
Type: Raster Layer
Geometry Type: null
Description: Fishery: Multispecies (groundfish) (NMS), Monkfish (MNK), Herring (HER), Scallop (SES), and Declared out of Fishery (DOF)<br/> Time Period: 2015-2019<br/> Filtered for Confidentiality: 1.43%<br/> <br/> This dataset broadly characterizes the density of commercial fishing vessel transit activity from January 2015 through December 2019, for all vessels declared into the Multispecies, Monkfish, Herring, or Scallop fisheries, or declared out of a fishery, in the Gulf of Maine, where speed over ground is >4 knots, and that are required by NOAA Fisheries to carry a Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS). The purpose of this data is to understand potential fisheries related transit. This data is for visualization, display, and informational purposes only; not necessarily for analysis or quantification purposes. <br/>The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) describes VMS as a satellite surveillance system primarily used to monitor the location and movement of commercial fishing vessels in the U.S. This dataset was created using VMS position records for vessels travelling at a speed of greater than 4 knots, which was the speed minimum used to identify vessels only engaged in transit activity. Raw VMS data from NMFS were processed into geospatial point products and analyzed to create density grids for select fisheries. The point data were filtered to remove vessel positions which did not meet the "Rule of Three" criteria required by NMFS due to data confidentiality. A total of 1.43% of these VMS records were filtered for confidentiality. More information on the Rule of Three is available within the metadata. Data values are standardized and are best interpreted qualitatively. An absence of data does not indicate an absence of fishing activity.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), RPS
Name: VMS Transit Density Gulf of Maine 2015-2019 (>5 knots)
Display Field:
Type: Raster Layer
Geometry Type: null
Description: Fishery: Multispecies (groundfish) (NMS), Monkfish (MNK), Herring (HER), Scallop (SES), and Declared out of Fishery (DOF)<br/> Time Period: 2015-2019<br/> Filtered for Confidentiality: 1.63%<br/> <br/> This dataset broadly characterizes the density of commercial fishing vessel transit activity from January 2015 through December 2019, for all vessels declared into the Multispecies, Monkfish, Herring, or Scallop fisheries, or Declared out of aFishery, in the Gulf of Maine, where speed over ground is >5 knots, and that are required by NOAA Fisheries to carry a Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS). The purpose of this data is to understand potential fisheries related transit. This data is for visualization, display, and informational purposes only; not necessarily for analysis or quantification purposes.
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) describes VMS as a satellite surveillance system primarily used to monitor the location and movement of commercial fishing vessels in the U.S. This dataset was created using VMS position records for vessels travelling at a speed of greater than 5 knots, which was the speed minimum used to identify vessels only engaged in transit activity. Raw VMS data from NMFS were processed into geospatial point products and analyzed to create density grids for select fisheries. The point data were filtered to remove vessel positions which did not meet the "Rule of Three" criteria required by NMFS due to data confidentiality. A total of 1.63% of these VMS records were filtered for confidentiality. More information on the Rule of Three is available within the metadata. Data values are standardized and are best interpreted qualitatively. An absence of data does not indicate an absence of fishing activity.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), RPS
Name: VMS Transit Density Gulf of Maine 2015-2019 (>6 knots)
Display Field:
Type: Raster Layer
Geometry Type: null
Description: Fishery: Multispecies (groundfish) (NMS), Monkfish (MNK), Herring (HER), Scallop (SES), and Declared out of Fishery (DOF)<br/> Time Period: 2015-2019<br/> Filtered for Confidentiality: 1.97%<br/> <br/> This dataset broadly characterizes the density of commercial fishing vessel transit activity from January 2015 through December 2019, for all vessels declared into the Multispecies, Monkfish, Herring, or Scallop fisheries, or Declared out of aFishery, in the Gulf of Maine, where speed over ground is >6 knots, and that are required by NOAA Fisheries to carry a Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS). The purpose of this data is to understand potential fisheries related transit. This data is for visualization, display, and informational purposes only; not necessarily for analysis or quantification purposes.
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) describes VMS as a satellite surveillance system primarily used to monitor the location and movement of commercial fishing vessels in the U.S. This dataset was created using VMS position records for vessels travelling at a speed of greater than 6 knots, which was the speed minimum used to identify vessels only engaged in transit activity. Raw VMS data from NMFS were processed into geospatial point products and analyzed to create density grids for select fisheries. The point data were filtered to remove vessel positions which did not meet the "Rule of Three" criteria required by NMFS due to data confidentiality. A total of 1.97% of these VMS records were filtered for confidentiality. More information on the Rule of Three is available within the metadata. Data values are standardized and are best interpreted qualitatively. An absence of data does not indicate an absence of fishing activity.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), RPS
Name: VMS Transit Density Surfclam/Ocean Quahog 2015-2019 (>4 knots)
Display Field:
Type: Raster Layer
Geometry Type: null
Description: Fishery: Surfclam/Ocean Quahog (SCO-SFC/OQU)<br/> Time Period: 2015-2019<br/> Filtered for Confidentiality: 7.29%<br/> <br/> This dataset broadly characterizes the density of commercial fishing vessel transit activity from January 2015 through December 2019, for all vessels declared into the Surfclam or Ocean Quahog fishery in the northeastern U.S., where speed over ground is >4 knots, and that are required by NOAA Fisheries to carry a Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS). The purpose of this data is to understand potential fisheries related transit. This data is for visualization, display, and informational purposes only; not necessarily for analysis or quantification purposes. <br/>The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) describes VMS as a satellite surveillance system primarily used to monitor the location and movement of commercial fishing vessels in the U.S. This dataset was created using VMS position records for vessels travelling at a speed of greater than 6 knots, which was the speed minimum used to identify vessels only engaged in transit activity. Raw VMS data from NMFS were processed into geospatial point products and analyzed to create density grids for select fisheries. The point data were filtered to remove vessel positions which did not meet the "Rule of Three" criteria required by NMFS due to data confidentiality. A total of 7.29% of these VMS records were filtered for confidentiality. More information on the Rule of Three is available within the metadata. Data values are standardized and are best interpreted qualitatively. An absence of data does not indicate an absence of fishing activity.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), RPS
Name: VMS Transit Density Surfclam/Ocean Quahog 2015-2019 (>5 knots)
Display Field:
Type: Raster Layer
Geometry Type: null
Description: Fishery: Surfclam/Ocean Quahog (SCO-SFC/OQU)<br/> Time Period: 2015-2019<br/> Filtered for Confidentiality: 7.71%<br/> <br/> This dataset broadly characterizes the density of commercial fishing vessel transit activity from January 2015 through December 2019, for all vessels declared into the Surfclam or Ocean Quahog fishery in the northeastern U.S., where speed over ground is >5 knots, and that are required by NOAA Fisheries to carry a Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS). The purpose of this data is to understand potential fisheries related transit. This data is for visualization, display, and informational purposes only; not necessarily for analysis or quantification purposes. <br/>The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) describes VMS as a satellite surveillance system primarily used to monitor the location and movement of commercial fishing vessels in the U.S. This dataset was created using VMS position records for vessels travelling at a speed of greater than 6 knots, which was the speed minimum used to identify vessels only engaged in transit activity. Raw VMS data from NMFS were processed into geospatial point products and analyzed to create density grids for select fisheries. The point data were filtered to remove vessel positions which did not meet the "Rule of Three" criteria required by NMFS due to data confidentiality. A total of 7.71% of these VMS records were filtered for confidentiality. More information on the Rule of Three is available within the metadata. Data values are standardized and are best interpreted qualitatively. An absence of data does not indicate an absence of fishing activity.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), RPS
Name: VMS Transit Density Scallop 2015-2019 (>5 knots)
Display Field:
Type: Raster Layer
Geometry Type: null
Description: Fishery: Scallop (SES)<br/> Time Period: 2015-2019<br/> Filtered for Confidentiality: 1.70%<br/> <br/> This dataset broadly characterizes the density of commercial fishing vessel transit activity from January 2015 through December 2019, for all vessels declared into the Scallop fishery in the northeastern U.S., where speed over ground is >5 knots, and that are required by NOAA Fisheries to carry a Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS). The purpose of this data is to understand potential fisheries related transit. This data is for visualization, display, and informational purposes only; not necessarily for analysis or quantification purposes. <br/>The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) describes VMS as a satellite surveillance system primarily used to monitor the location and movement of commercial fishing vessels in the U.S. This dataset was created using VMS position records for vessels travelling at a speed of greater than 6 knots, which was the speed minimum used to identify vessels only engaged in transit activity. Raw VMS data from NMFS were processed into geospatial point products and analyzed to create density grids for select fisheries. The point data were filtered to remove vessel positions which did not meet the "Rule of Three" criteria required by NMFS due to data confidentiality. A total of 1.70% of these VMS records were filtered for confidentiality. More information on the Rule of Three is available within the metadata. Data values are standardized and are best interpreted qualitatively. An absence of data does not indicate an absence of fishing activity.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), RPS
Name: VMS Transit Density Scallop 2015-2019 (>6 knots)
Display Field:
Type: Raster Layer
Geometry Type: null
Description: Fishery: Scallop (SES)<br/> Time Period: 2015-2019<br/> Filtered for Confidentiality: 2.09%<br/> <br/> This dataset broadly characterizes the density of commercial fishing vessel transit activity from January 2015 through December 2019, for all vessels declared into the Scallop fishery in the northeastern U.S., where speed over ground is >6 knots, and that are required by NOAA Fisheries to carry a Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS). The purpose of this data is to understand potential fisheries related transit. This data is for visualization, display, and informational purposes only; not necessarily for analysis or quantification purposes. <br/>The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) describes VMS as a satellite surveillance system primarily used to monitor the location and movement of commercial fishing vessels in the U.S. This dataset was created using VMS position records for vessels travelling at a speed of greater than 6 knots, which was the speed minimum used to identify vessels only engaged in transit activity. Raw VMS data from NMFS were processed into geospatial point products and analyzed to create density grids for select fisheries. The point data were filtered to remove vessel positions which did not meet the "Rule of Three" criteria required by NMFS due to data confidentiality. A total of 2.09% of these VMS records were filtered for confidentiality. More information on the Rule of Three is available within the metadata. Data values are standardized and are best interpreted qualitatively. An absence of data does not indicate an absence of fishing activity.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), RPS
Name: VMS Transit Density Squid/Mackerel/Butterfish 2015-2019 (>4 knots)
Display Field:
Type: Raster Layer
Geometry Type: null
Description: Fishery: Squid/Mackerel/Butterfish (SMB)<br/> Time Period: 2015-2019<br/> Filtered for Confidentiality: 7.20%<br/> <br/> This dataset broadly characterizes the density of commercial fishing vessel transit activity from January 2015 through December 2019, for all vessels declared into the Squid/Mackerel/Butterfish fishery in the northeastern U.S., where speed over ground is >4 knots, and that are required by NOAA Fisheries to carry a Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS). The purpose of this data is to understand potential fisheries related transit. This data is for visualization, display, and informational purposes only; not necessarily for analysis or quantification purposes. <br/>The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) describes VMS as a satellite surveillance system primarily used to monitor the location and movement of commercial fishing vessels in the U.S. This dataset was created using VMS position records for vessels travelling at a speed of greater than 6 knots, which was the speed minimum used to identify vessels only engaged in transit activity. Raw VMS data from NMFS were processed into geospatial point products and analyzed to create density grids for select fisheries. The point data were filtered to remove vessel positions which did not meet the "Rule of Three" criteria required by NMFS due to data confidentiality. A total of 7.20% of these VMS records were filtered for confidentiality. More information on the Rule of Three is available within the metadata. Data values are standardized and are best interpreted qualitatively. An absence of data does not indicate an absence of fishing activity.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), RPS
Name: VMS Transit Density Squid/Mackerel/Butterfish 2015-2019 (>5 knots)
Display Field:
Type: Raster Layer
Geometry Type: null
Description: Fishery: Squid/Mackerel/Butterfish (SMB)<br/> Time Period: 2015-2019<br/> Filtered for Confidentiality: 8.05%<br/> <br/> This dataset broadly characterizes the density of commercial fishing vessel transit activity from January 2015 through December 2019, for all vessels declared into the Squid/Mackerel/Butterfish fishery in the northeastern U.S., where speed over ground is >5 knots, and that are required by NOAA Fisheries to carry a Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS). The purpose of this data is to understand potential fisheries related transit. This data is for visualization, display, and informational purposes only; not necessarily for analysis or quantification purposes. <br/>The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) describes VMS as a satellite surveillance system primarily used to monitor the location and movement of commercial fishing vessels in the U.S. This dataset was created using VMS position records for vessels travelling at a speed of greater than 6 knots, which was the speed minimum used to identify vessels only engaged in transit activity. Raw VMS data from NMFS were processed into geospatial point products and analyzed to create density grids for select fisheries. The point data were filtered to remove vessel positions which did not meet the "Rule of Three" criteria required by NMFS due to data confidentiality. A total of 8.05% of these VMS records were filtered for confidentiality. More information on the Rule of Three is available within the metadata. Data values are standardized and are best interpreted qualitatively. An absence of data does not indicate an absence of fishing activity.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), RPS