MRIP Regional Implementation Plan for the U.S. Caribbean
February 01, 2017
This Regional Implementation Plan informs non-commercial data collection efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The MRIP Regional Implementation Plan for the U.S. Caribbean (2017) (PDF, 29 pages) informs the Marine Recreational Information Program's work in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It was developed by MRIP's Caribbean Regional Implementation Team, which includes representatives from:
- NOAA National Ocean Survey
- NOAA Fisheries Office of Science and Technology
- NOAA Fisheries Office of Sustainable Fisheries
- NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office
- NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fisheries Science Center
- Caribbean Fishery Management Council
- Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission
- Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources
- USVI Department of Planning and Natural Resources
It includes an assessment of regional data collection programs and a list of regional implementation priorities to meet non-commercial 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, state, and territorial partners identify regional information needs, coordinate survey operations and on-site data collection, and participate in quality assurance and quality control.
Caribbean Regional Implementation Priorities
The MRIP Regional Implementation Plan for the U.S. Caribbean (2017) identifies the following priorities:
- Develop a governance structure that will ensure consistent, accurate, and stable staff administration and data collection and management outcomes.
- Design and implement a saltwater recreational fishing data collection program for the U.S. Virgin Islands that is attuned to and functions within the unique character of that island group.
- Refine the existing saltwater recreational fishing data collection program in Puerto Rico to strengthen programmatic oversight and administration and ensure data are being collected from all fishing modes and for all species important to management.
Learn about recreational data collection priorities in other regions across the United States