Second Public Webinar on Revised Recreational Catch Estimates

NOAA Fisheries recently released revised Marine Recreational Information Program catch estimates from 1981 to 2017 as part of its transition from the Coastal Household Telephone Survey to the new Fishing Effort Survey. The FES is a more accurate way to estimate saltwater recreational fishing trips from shore and private boat anglers on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. FES estimates are several times higher than CHTS estimates with the differences varying by state, type of fishing, and two-month reporting period. Our studies indicate that the increase in effort estimates is because the FES does a better job of estimating fishing activity, not because there’s been a sudden increase in fishing trips.

To allow for “apples to apples” comparisons between FES and CHTS estimates for the purposes of stock assessments and management, NOAA Fisheries and independent consultants developed a peer reviewed calibration model that enables us to convert the old and new estimates into the same currency. We completed a similar process to adjust historical catch rate estimates produced by the Access Point Angler Intercept Survey, the shoreside survey conducted from Maine to Mississippi by our state partners who collect information on angler catch, which was overhauled in 2012. Using these two calibration models, we have now released revised estimates of total recreational catch on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts from 1981 to 2017.

This is the second of two webinars sharing background on how this process has worked and discussing what’s next. We will also be answering your questions.

For additional information on the FES and revised estimates, please visit the MRIP website.