Modernizing Fisheries Data Collection Through the Recreational Angler Partnership Improvement Directive
The framework that will come out of RAPID will build on a strong state-federal partnership to give stock assessment scientists and decision-makers access to the most accurate recreational catch and effort data.
NOAA Fisheries is transitioning to a new recreational fishing data enterprise. The transition phase—called the Recreational Angler Partnership Improvement Directive—will improve trust and confidence in recreational fishing data and management by ensuring timely, rigorous, transparent and credible estimate production.
RAPID will kick off with a series of workshops slated for the second half of 2026. RAPID is the process that will lead the transition from the Marine Recreational Information Program to a new co-designed system. It is not a direct replacement of the program. The goal is to shift into a new partnership data enterprise among the states, commissions, councils, and NOAA. Partners will work together to develop a framework to modernize and innovate recreational fisheries data collection through adaptable and transparent data collection processes.
The framework that will come out of RAPID will continue to build on a strong state-federal partnership to give stock assessment scientists and decision-makers access to the most accurate recreational catch and effort data.
Transition Purpose and Timeline
Why are we transitioning from the Marine Recreational Information Program?
RAPID is necessary to ensure consistent quality of marine recreational catch and effort estimates by increasing data precision, accuracy, usability, and credibility. The resulting enterprise will have a robust foundation of state-federal partnership. It will combine all available and approved recreational catch and effort data collection programs to help reduce uncertainty in our fishery management decisions.
How will this partnership be different from MRIP?
This initiative will be a collaborative partnership that will develop a nationally cohesive—but regionally flexible—approach for recreational fisheries data collection. NOAA will provide the peer-reviewed standards and support to ensure recreational data are statistically valid. The states can retain or implement survey components that meet their needs and adhere to the national standards. We want to empower our partners and states to develop and use data systems that fit their needs and support them to ensure fishery management standards can still be achieved.
How long is the transition expected to take?
The RAPID process to build the stronger partnership enterprise will take approximately 1 year. Full implementation of the developed framework will include regional ideas and concepts that are collaboratively developed during the RAPID transition. Further, this partnership will work to continually improve recreational data collection, adopting new technologies and approaches as they develop.
Data Collection During the Transition
What will happen to MRIP surveys during and after the transition?
MRIP surveys and data collection will continue during the RAPID phase. RAPID will build the framework of the new partnership and implementation timeline. We will be relying on our partners to help us determine the course ahead. RAPID will be focused on examining what is currently working well with recreational fishing statistics, what is not, and how to implement needed improvements.
How will the transition impact immediate decision-making?
The current MRIP data collection systems will continue to collect recreational fishing data. They will still be used in stock assessment and fishery management decision-making as we go through this transition process.
Are there other recreational data improvements occurring in 2026?
Yes. In January, we began implementing the improved Fishing Effort Survey according to existing regional survey administration schedules. The new survey should increase the accuracy of recreational effort estimates by mitigating potential overreporting of fishing trips. Additionally, we are increasing state dockside sampling levels with a $2.5 million investment in the Access Point Angler Intercept Survey. We are also working on addressing the recommendations from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine after their peer review of the agency’s survey and data standards.
Does RAPID mean the states have to do their own independent data collection for recreational fisheries?
No, this does not mean federal support for recreational data collection is expiring or going away. Through the workshops, we hope to develop a new co-designed partnership governance model, discuss data collection systems, increasing public trust and recreational data use. We will work together to identify the needed resources to ensure recreational data are scientifically robust and meet management needs at different scales.
Developing the New Framework
What will happen at the RAPID workshops?
We will be hosting regional workshops across the country to design the new partnership during the second half of 2026. These workshops will help us identify capabilities and needs on a regional basis for how recreational fishing data can be collected and consistent recreational catch estimates can be produced. Facilitators will help attendees to navigate discussions, bringing everyone together around a shared partnership vision.
Who is involved in deciding what the eventual framework will look like?
The interstate commissions will play a pivotal role in helping to collect, organize, and produce trusted recreational fisheries statistics. A small steering committee will help us guide and support the RAPID transition.
The steering committee includes:
- Gregg Bray - Assistant Director/Fishery Information Network Program Coordinator - Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission
- Alex DiJohnson - Deputy Director of Recreational Fisheries Data - Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program under Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
- Dr. Luiz Barbieri - Science Program Leader for Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute’s Marine Fisheries Research Program
- Dr. Jon Hare - Science Director of the NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fishery Science Center
- Dr. Evan Howell - NOAA Fisheries Deputy Assistant Administrator for Scientific Programs
- Tim Sartwell - Special Advisor for recreational fisheries to the Deputy Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere
This core team will navigate and coordinate commission and state level inputs and activities, facilitate the regional workshops, and build the strengthened state-federal partnership.
Related Actions and News
National Recreational Fisheries Policy 2026
This policy provides guidance for NOAA Fisheries' consideration in its deliberations pertaining to development and maintenance of enduring and sustainable high quality saltwater recreational fisheries.
Fishing Policy Interim Actions
A summary of interim actions NOAA Fisheries will take to advance the National Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Policy prior to the 2027 National Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Summit.
NOAA Fisheries Certifies Two State Recreational Fishing Surveys to Improve Catch Estimates
NOAA Fisheries has certified Alabama’s and Mississippi’s creel surveys as part of a move to continue advancing federal-state partnerships for recreational fisheries management strategies. These surveys aim to produce more timely and precise estimates of state-specific recreational fishing catch and trip activity. This certification marks a significant milestone in the initiatives NOAA is undertaking to improve recreational fishing data.