2026 Transition Plan for the Improved Fishing Effort Survey

This is a living document prepared alongside NOAA Fisheries by regional and state partners in Hawaii and across the Atlantic and Gulf of America coasts, where the Fishing Effort Survey is administered. The intent of the document is to aid in an effective transition to an improved FES design, ensure data comparability, and facilitate the integration of calibrated statistics into stock assessments and management. 

The transition plan includes:

• Implementation of a calibration model to convert historical recreational fishing estimates to the improved scale of the revised FES design, ensuring an updated and consistent time series of data for stock assessments and management
• Roles and responsibilities of various agencies and partners
• A data management plan that adheres to established standards for data collection, processing, and quality assurance
• A communications strategy to ensure transparency and partner collaboration throughout the transition process