61 



Thus, while NMFS is attempting to make the best of a presently 

 bad situation, the future importance of good domestic assessments argue 

 for the construction of new research vessels. It is interesting to 

 note that, while the domestic fishing industry regards assessments 

 with suspicion, personnel from that industry feel that NMFS should 

 "spend more money now" for a new research vessel rather than upgrading 

 present vessels. Indications from personnel who man the crew of 



(JO) 



the Albatross consider her a "dog" that is "aptly named. "^^ Personnel 

 at NMFS in Woods Hole feel that assessments would be well served by the 



presence of at least two more vessels to undertake survey and other 



I (73) 

 assessment work. ' 



In a general sense, problems with assessments at present are not 

 related to the methods of analyzing data, which have come to depend on 

 sophisticated computer modeling that is done ashore. Rather, the problems 

 primarily concern the gathering of that data. As that data must be 

 developed through the use of a vessel, the quality of that vessel be- 

 comes critical to good assessment work. As an adequate vessel is the 

 primary tool of assessment work, the following need is apparent: 



• Direction of effort to construct or purchase new or 

 relatively new vessels for offshore survey work . 



