2 Genetic data collection

Genetic data have been collected and analysed for several Ministry of Fisheries projects on orange roughy (e.g., ORH9703, DEOR13, MOF802A, FBOR01) and black and smooth oreo (e.g., DEE9801). Tissue samples are collected either fresh in the field from trawl surveys, or from whole specimens returned back to Greta Point.

The genetic materials are coded into ASCII files. The data are managed in a file system and are collated and analysed in 3 PC computer programs, with each program having their own ASCII input file format. Figure 1 shows the file system set up for the management of these genetic data. Each analysis program has its own directory, or sub-tree, for storing it's own format of input file. Within each of these directories, the data are further sub-divided by project directories, with each project directory holding all the input and output files generated for and by the relevant analysis program. Any one project may have directories in none, one or all three of the analysis program subtrees.

Data validation is currently carried out by Dr Peter Smith (NIWA), who checks all data entries. In addition, the programs will not run, or throw up spurious alleles, if data are entered incorrectly.