Workshop to Improve Recreational Discard Data
A workshop to investigate new sampling approaches to improve recreational released catch data, especially discard rates, in the private recreational sector.
About
The Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, with support from NOAA Fisheries and other federal, regional, and state partners, is hosting a workshop to investigate new sampling approaches that will improve recreational released catch data, specifically data associated with discard rates in the private recreational sector. This meeting took place already. Check the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission website for Upcoming Meetings.
When/Where
July 30 - August 1 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CT
DoubleTree by Hilton, 300 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130 (and virtual)
Why
Inflation Reduction Act funding has been allocated for the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission to host a workshop to investigate new sampling approaches that will improve recreational released catch data, specifically data associated with discard rates in the private recreational sector.
IRA funding will be used to address scientific and management uncertainty in recreational catch statistics for red snapper and dozens of other species. Our joint intention is to set the gold standard for validation and improvement of state and federal recreational data collection to provide better measures of catch, effort, and discards. This will benefit millions of anglers in the world’s largest recreational fisheries.
This workshop will focus on improving recreational discard data in the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. South Atlantic. There is a large number of recreational discards for many species in the Southeast region that are managed with short fishing seasons. In addition, there is concern regarding the accuracy of species identification and numbers of released fish for data that are reported by anglers at the end of their fishing trip. During the workshop, we will discuss current fishery sampling challenges and receive presentations on potential new methods for collecting discard rate data. These projects could inform us on the sources of bias that may exist in existing surveys in the area of released catch.
Contacts
Gregg Bray, Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, 228-232-0404, gbray@gsmfc.org
Frank Helies, NOAA Southeast Regional Office, 727-209-5988, Frank.Helies@noaa.gov