The Pacific Salmon Structural Information OCR System (PSSIOCR) is an artificial intelligence tool developed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada to help modernize how the department manages historical salmon management data. The system uses optical character recognition (OCR) technology to automatically convert thousands of scanned documents, paper records, and unstructured files into organized, digital information that can be easily searched, analyzed, and used for decision-making.
Many DFO programs maintain vast archives of important documents—including fish slips, inspection reports, logbooks, and observer reports—that contain valuable information for tracking Pacific salmon populations and managing fishing activities. Because manually transferring this information into digital systems is not practical given the volume of documents, PSSIOCR automates this process while still allowing trained staff to review and verify the extracted information for accuracy.
This system is currently in development and will be used by Government of Canada employees. It does not process personal information about individual citizens. By automating document processing, PSSIOCR aims to improve the timeliness and quality of data available for Pacific salmon management decisions while preserving access to valuable historical records for the future.
