Online Recreational Fishing Logbook trial
Hi all,
There has been some recent discussion in a couple of threads here, about the role of recreational fishing logbook reporting. Within that discussion seems to be a consensus that Fisheries need more information about what rec fishers do and catch. There are some questions about how that might happen...perhaps there is a solution on the horizon!?
Michael Sawyer is creating a trial online logbook, which is similar to the Fisheries voluntary logbook, with some added enhancements. He is working with Dept of Fisheries and RecFishWest on the project, and he is looking for volunteers to help with the development of the logbook.
Here is an excerpt from some email communication I've had with Michael. I've encouraged him to login to Fishwrecked, but in the meantime if you are interested in helping him with this important project, you can contact him at the email address below.
"We need about 30-50 anglers from the West Coast and South Coast fishing zones of Western Australia (sorry to the rest of WA, you'll be in the full version) to take part in the 2 month trial. So what does this involve? Well each time you go fishing all you need to do is take note of what fish you catch, the bait used, sizes of caught fish, how many released, the zone you fished, time spent fishing etc. When you get home just log onto the website and type in your details. All of the sections are pull down menus so a few clicks is all you'll need. This section is designed to be very user friendly and I expect the entire entry process to only take about 5 mins. This is a great opportunity to have your say on the final version of the online logbook that will be a reality in WA in the near future.
I have received Australia-wide support for my project including various departments from WA, SA, NSW, QLD and TAS and the presentation that I'll be giving in Canberra will definitely further my goal of having this introduced throughout Australia in the next few years.
If you are interested or know of others that might be please forward this email to them, post it on your favourite fishing forums or tell your customers about it. Just get them to email me at mick_sawyer@hotmail.com and I'll put them down for the trial.
Yours Sincerely
Michael Sawyer"
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Adam Gallash
Posts: 15653
Date Joined: 29/11/05
Interesting
Guess this will sort the men from the boys, shouldn't be a problem with lack of data and research in future if those that complain about those things participate .........
Site Admin - Just ask if you need assistance
Watto069
Posts: 427
Date Joined: 15/01/08
Electronic logbook
I will be keen but does it matter that I only get to fish a couple of times every 2 weeks because I work away. Adam I'm still haven't recieved my log books. Will get someone to check my mail today and let you know.
So many fishing spots. Not enough sickies!!!!!!!
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15653
Date Joined: 29/11/05
Should be on the way
Sent it in 2 days after you PM'd me, so cant be too far away.
Site Admin - Just ask if you need assistance
Bluetonic
Posts: 1147
Date Joined: 09/01/08
Not a problem
I'll use an online Log Book. I don't have a problem with collecting accurate data.
Blue Sky! Blue Water! BLUETONIC
Blue Sky, Blue Water, Bluetonic!
Dreamweaver
Posts: 4688
Date Joined: 01/12/07
Definately!
MORE than happy to contribute to ANYTHING that adds data - with you BT!
Email sent! Especially as I fish within the SCB.
Colin Molloy
RECFISHWEST Member
(Colin 2 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)
Soon to be de "dreamweaver" ed!
Watto069
Posts: 427
Date Joined: 15/01/08
Thanks Adam. nothing came
Thanks Adam. nothing came today but i'm up at work till next Tuesday so will definatly be there by the time I get back
So many fishing spots. Not enough sickies!!!!!!!
Feral
Posts: 1508
Date Joined: 01/11/06
ive had a few chats with
ive had a few chats with michael about his log book (seeing as i worked with him) and it sounds awsome .. i will definatly be using it when it come out ... and im just happy to see a local busso boy doing something good in the fishing sector .
big john
Posts: 8765
Date Joined: 20/07/06
Pilbara
When your doing a Pilbara one count me in.
John
WA based manufacturer and supplier of premium leadhead jigs, fligs, bucktail jigs, 'bulletproof' soft plastic jig heads and XOS bullet jig heads.
Jigs available online in my web store!
Bluetonic
Posts: 1147
Date Joined: 09/01/08
Me Too
Yep! Got a reply straight back as well. Thanks Mick for the quick response and I too look forward to supplying any info I can.
Blue Sky! Blue Water! BLUETONIC
Blue Sky, Blue Water, Bluetonic!
Dreamweaver
Posts: 4688
Date Joined: 01/12/07
Ditto!
It's great that he's receiving good positive encouragement, from positively motivated people
Can't wait for my site logon
Colin Molloy
RECFISHWEST Member
(Colin 2 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)
Soon to be de "dreamweaver" ed!
Mike_Sawyer
Posts: 14
Date Joined: 13/11/08
Thanks Fishwrecked Members
Hi Everyone,
Thanks for the invite to joining the site. Firstly the response I've had from Fishwrecked has been fantastic and so keep the volunteers coming!!
A few things have changed since the original email that Ewan posted in this discussion. The trial is hopefully going to start early December and go for a month, we still have a few changes to make to the interface. The trial is all about getting feedback from anglers on what they want out of the site and what data they want to log. Even if you cant get out for a fish in December you can make up some catch data and delete it afterwards. We want the site to be quick and easy to use and thats only going to happen from anglers telling us what they like and dont like. I have already had significant communication with Recfishwest and DOF so we already know what management want out of this sort of system.
Big John - Due to demand from northern fishos we will now be adding the Pilbara and North West zones to the trial. Can you please email me the 5 most commonly caught species from the Pilbara?
The other part I forgot to mention is that the site is not just for anglers, its for the whole recreational sector. So even if you go scooping for crabs or spearfishing you are included aswell.
Regards
Michael Sawyer
RECFISHWEST Member
Dreamweaver
Posts: 4688
Date Joined: 01/12/07
Brilliantly Done Mike!
I know I've said it in the emails we've swapped mate, but I'll say it here too - FANTASTIC EFFORT AND INITIATIVE on your part.
Bloody well done!
This truly deserves to be a ground swell with as many participating as well. (But don't forget folks, as Michael has informed me, this does NOT replace the paper logs submitted to DoF through the Voluntary Log Book program).
I urge everyone to get behind both!
Colin Molloy
RECFISHWEST Member
(Colin 2 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)
Soon to be de "dreamweaver" ed!
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15653
Date Joined: 29/11/05
Excellent
Sounds good Mike, will get an email off to you soon for a Gascoyne version.
Cheers,
Adam
Site Admin - Just ask if you need assistance
Mike_Sawyer
Posts: 14
Date Joined: 13/11/08
DOF Paper Logbooks
Yes as Colin has stated the online logbook DOESNT replace the DOF paper version.
The online logbook is currently being run by Olfish Australia and Olrac.
In the future we hope DOF will commit to this project and it will run in conjunction with their paper logbook but at the moment it is separate. I will be giving another presentation to the Fisheries Department in January after the trial and fingers crossed the Minister can attend aswell. The support and interest from DOF to date has been fantastic.
Cheers
Michael Sawyer
Olfish Australia
RECFISHWEST Member
Watto069
Posts: 427
Date Joined: 15/01/08
I have sent mick an email.
I have sent mick an email. look foward to seeing how I can help out
So many fishing spots. Not enough sickies!!!!!!!
Mike_Sawyer
Posts: 14
Date Joined: 13/11/08
Great work
Thanks to everyone that has volunteered so far. We have already doubled the number of people in the trial since the Fishwrecked post.
However, we can always do with more volunteers!!
Cheers
Michael Sawyer
Olfish Australia
RECFISHWEST Member
jersey
Posts: 393
Date Joined: 12/06/08
Put me down
As above,I will partake in this in the hope it will improve the way recreational fisherman are treated by the Fisheries and government,after all ,we can only gain from the knowledge ,I hope.jersey
Mike_Sawyer
Posts: 14
Date Joined: 13/11/08
Hi Jersey, Just going
Hi Jersey,
Just going through my list of people for the trial. Have you emailed me your details to ?
Cheers
Michael Sawyer
Olfish Australia
RECFISHWEST Member
Mike_Sawyer
Posts: 14
Date Joined: 13/11/08
Getting there
Just a quick update. We are about 50% of the way through installing the new interface. Assuming we have seen the last of the hiccups we should be good to go just before Christmas.
I guarantee it will be well worth the wait
Cheers,
Michael Sawyer
Olfish Australia
RECFISHWEST member
Mike_Sawyer
Posts: 14
Date Joined: 13/11/08
Almost there
After hitting a few more snags we are now about 75% of the way through installing the new interface.
Cheers,
Michael Sawyer
Olfish Australia
RECFISHWEST member
Bluetonic
Posts: 1147
Date Joined: 09/01/08
Thanks Mike, I'm part of the
Thanks Mike, I'm part of the Dept of Fisheries Anglers Log Book Ocean Edition and was wondering what was happening with your online Log Book.
I've registered with you but was wondering what is happening. Please continue to keep us updated.
Blue Sky! Blue Water! BLUETONIC
Blue Sky, Blue Water, Bluetonic!
Mike_Sawyer
Posts: 14
Date Joined: 13/11/08
Automated email on Tuesday 13th Jan
Hi Everyone,
Sorry about the automated email yesterday. The logbook is run under the banner of Olfish Australia and powered by Olrac (the IT company building the site). I'll send out a proper invitation email and post in all the forums when the site is ready (probably still a few weeks away) and then we'll turn on the automated delivery to give you all your login and passwords.
The problem is that I live in Perth and the IT company is based in Cape Town, South Africa. With the difference in time zones they can make small changes at the end of their work day (midnight Perth time) and I don't hear about it until about 2pm. Hence the automated feature was added and all users were sent their login details on Tuesday before the site was ready.
Anyways, we are making good progress and are just finalising the logbook forums at the moment
Cheers
Michael Sawyer
Olfish Australia
Recfishwest member
Mike_Sawyer
Posts: 14
Date Joined: 13/11/08
Almost there!!!
Great news!! We are now about 90-95% done on the site.
There is a small chance we will be launching the trial at the end of next week
Cheers
Michael Sawyer
Recfishwest Member
Mike_Sawyer
Posts: 14
Date Joined: 13/11/08
Ready to go!!!
Hello Everyone,
The entire Olfish Australia and Olrac teams are proud to announce the commencement of the 1 month trial of the online logbook for recreational fishers. Over the past 6 months we have turned the online logbook from an exciting concept into reality and we are now ready to commence the trial.
The logbook trial is all about getting feedback from you, the end users. The website now has enough functionality to show what we are planning to do but your feedback is vital to help guide us to the end product that everyone will enjoy. At this stage we would prefer users ONLY enter false data as there is no guarantee the trial data will rollover into the full version.
The website link is http://www.olfish-data-logger.com/ and includes features such as a photo competition, fishing videos, fishing news, FAQ and many more. Over this weekend I will be emailing out everyone's login ID and password. If you have any problems with your account or don't receive your account details by Monday 23rd Feb please contact me at mick_sawyer@hotmail.com (primary contact for all trial communications) and I will get it sorted out as soon as possible.
Please take the time to read the 3 documents that can be found on the website just below the sign up button on the home page:
- Website terms and conditions and privacy policy (by participating in the trial you automatically agree to these).
- Data Logger Walkthrough: this step by step guide will help you with your first data entry session. The main point is "My combinations" need to be recorded first before entering any data on a specific fishing trip.
- Improvements being considered: we have many planned changes to the site over the next 6 months. If you have any suggestions that aren't on this list please contact us with your ideas.
Towards the end of the trial (in 3-4 weeks) we'll be sending out an online survey form. This will give us considerable feedback on the direction this project needs to take to be a success so please take the time to fill it out.
We thank you all for your patience and trust you will all enjoy the site.
Kind regards,
Michael Sawyer
Olfish Australia
mick_sawyer@hotmail.com (Olfish Australia dedicated email address coming shortly)
RECFISHWEST member
Dreamweaver
Posts: 4688
Date Joined: 01/12/07
Well done Michael!
Sounds like it's been a long hard road Mike - well done on your indefectibilty!
Thanks for the email! I'll read those attachments with interest and look even more forward to receiving my userid/password for the site mate!
Colin Molloy
RECFISHWEST Member
(Colin 2 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)
Soon to be de "dreamweaver" ed!
Dreamweaver
Posts: 4688
Date Joined: 01/12/07
Wow!
Mike - just had a quick flick through the second document attachment - loooks VERY good!
Again mate, VERY well done - a great initiative.
Colin Molloy
RECFISHWEST Member
(Colin 2 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)
Soon to be de "dreamweaver" ed!
Mike_Sawyer
Posts: 14
Date Joined: 13/11/08
Cheers
Hi Collin,
Thanks for the continued encouragement. It has certainly been a long and hard road but I'm sure you'll agree it was well worth the wait!!
Everyone should have their logins and passwords now so I can finally kick back and enjoy the weekend
Cheers
Michael Sawyer
Recfishwest Member
Dreamweaver
Posts: 4688
Date Joined: 01/12/07
Agreed Mike
Definately worth the wait Mike! Looks great!
so I can finally kick back and enjoy the weekend
Note yet Mike - I've been in and made some suggestions
Colin Molloy
RECFISHWEST Member
(Colin 2 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)
Soon to be de "dreamweaver" ed!
Mike_Sawyer
Posts: 14
Date Joined: 13/11/08
Cheers
Thanks Colin,
The feedback from yourself and the other 120 odd trial participants has been fantastic and very much appreciated. Anyone else interested in having a look is more than welcome as there is about 3 weeks left for the trial.
http://www.olfish-data-logger.com/
After the trial we'll be sending out a questionaire to find out exactly what the community wants/needs from our logbook program and the direction it needs to take to be a success.
We are definitely looking forward to hearing everyone's feedback.
Kind regards,
Michael Sawyer
Olfish Australia
Recfishwest Member
Mike_Sawyer
Posts: 14
Date Joined: 13/11/08
Weekend
I think I may finally be able to relax this weekend Colin :)
Kind regards,
Michael Sawyer
Olfish Australia
Recfishwest Member
Mike_Sawyer
Posts: 14
Date Joined: 13/11/08
Halfway through trial
Just a quick post to let everyone know we are halfway through the trial (2 weeks left). Anyone interested can sign up via the website or send me an email.
http://www.olfish-data-logger.com/
Thanks to everyone that has participated to date...the response has been fantastic.
Cheers
Michael Sawyer
Olfish Australia
RECFISHWEST member
Mike_Sawyer
Posts: 14
Date Joined: 13/11/08
Trial Ending 27th March
Hi All,
Just a quick message to let you all know the trial will be ending this Friday 27th March. If anyone requires more time to check out the site please let me know and we should be able to extend the trial by a week.
The site will remain active after the trial as we make considerable changes but the logger will be unavailable.
Thank you to everyone that has provided feedback during the trial and we'll be sending out the link for an online survey in the next month.
Kind Regards
Michael Sawyer
Olfish Australia
Recfishwest Member