GeoNorth developed a web application and database for use in managing Bristol Bay salmon fisheries data and images. This project utilized readily available, open source tools to meet the client’s need for data gathering, distribution, analysis, and reporting. Rapid turnaround of this data to facilitate timely fisheries management decisions was critical due to the short duration of the annual fishery and the potential economic impact of the management decisions based upon the data gathered.

GeoNorth performed requirements analysis and extensive open source tools research and testing to arrive at an efficient solution to meet the identified needs. The implemented solution consisted of a JSP application, running on an Apache Tomcat server and a PostgreSQL database. Image viewing and manipulation functionality was provided by a customized ImageJ object. FTP and PostgreSQL synchronization provided database and image synchronization between the primary servers in Anchorage and workstations and servers at three remote locations in Bristol Bay.

One of the most significant challenges overcome during this project was the limited bandwidth and frequent connectivity outages at the remote locations. This necessitated an “occasionally connected” strategy, in which all necessary data was stored and processed locally at each remote location, and then transmitted to the primary servers as connectivity and bandwidth allowed. This approach also provided significantly better response times for users at the remote locations than would otherwise have been possible, given the limited bandwidth.

The application was deployed and used successfully during the 2006 Bristol Bay salmon fishery.