Access Point Angler Intercept Survey Calibration Workshop

On the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, the Marine Recreational Information Program gathers catch information through the Access Point Angler Intercept Survey, which is conducted by the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico states. State samplers conduct interviews with recreational anglers at public marine fishing access points--including boat ramps, marinas, piers, beaches, jetties, and bridges--to collect representative data on individual angler fishing trips. In 2013, MRIP implemented new APAIS procedures based on recommendations made in an independent review of NOAA Fisheries data collection methods and tested in a pilot study. The improved survey procedures do a better job of accounting for all types of completed trips and remove potential sources of bias from the survey design.

A conversion factor is needed to account for any consistent effects of the redesign on catch rate estimates produced by the APAIS. Applying the conversion factor to APAIS estimates produced prior to 2013 will provide revised historical catch statistics that are comparable to those produced by the improved APAIS. The revised estimates will be used in fisheries stock assessments and management.

NOAA Fisheries is convening a peer review of a statistical approach proposed for the conversion of catch estimates by MRIP. The peer review workshop will provide an assessment of the statistical approach developed by MRIP for this purpose. The product of the workshop will be a summary report and individual panelists’ reports documenting panel opinions regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed conversion approach. The panel of reviewers will include individuals selected by the Center for Independent Experts as well as individuals selected by the Regional Fishery Management Councils and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

Remote Access

The workshop will be broadcast online in listen-only mode on Tuesday, March 20 and Wednesday, March 21. The session on Thursday, March 22 is closed to participants outside the review panel. Questions submitted electronically will be addressed, as time allows, in the public comment period at the end of each day.  The recording of the workshop will be available on the MRIP website for those that cannot listen in to the live broadcast.

For More Information

If you have questions or comments about the peer review workshop, please contact the Marine Recreational Information Program at (301) 427-8100 or nmfs.mrip@noaa.gov.