MRIP Regional Implementation Plan for the Gulf Coast

The MRIP Regional Implementation Plan for the Gulf Coast (2016-2018) (PDF, 17 pages) informs the Marine Recreational Information Program's work from Florida through Louisiana. It was developed by the Gulf Fisheries Information Network (GulfFIN), which serves as MRIP's Gulf Regional Implementation Team. It includes an assessment of regional data collection programs and a list of regional implementation priorities to meet recreational data needs.

The Marine Recreational Information Program operates as a state-regional-federal partnership.

• NOAA Fisheries maintains a central role in developing data collection and estimation methods, implementing survey and data standards, publishing recreational data products, and providing our partners with financial and technical support.
• Regional and state partners identify regional information needs, coordinate survey operations and on-site data collection, and participate in quality assurance and quality control.

Gulf of Mexico Regional Implementation Priorities

The MRIP Regional Implementation Plan for the Gulf Coast (2016-2018) identifies the following priorities:

• Provide full funding to support base-level general survey sampling.
• Provide funding to support LA Creel, Snapper Check, and Tails n’ Scales.
• Produce more timely catch estimates.
• Develop a regional, coordinated, supplemental biological sampling program.
• Establish a census-style for-hire logbook reporting program and provide funding to support compliance tracking, information validation, and the dockside and at-sea collection of biostatistical information.
• Improve discard data.
• Improve the spatial resolution of and technical guidance for the post-stratification of estimates.

Learn about recreational data collection priorities in other regions across the United States