2025 Fishing Effort Survey Calibration Model Peer Review Summary Report
February 27, 2026
This report summarizes the September 2025 independent scientific peer review of the Marine Recreational Information Program's updated FES calibration model, which rescales historical recreational fishing estimates to the improved 2026 FES design.
The Peer Review Panel’s review of the calibration model is based on seven Terms of Reference, outlined in the report. All of the TOR were met in full or in part. The Panel commented the proposed methodology builds upon the existing sampling design, the multiple pilot experiments since 2015, and extensive time series of historical data. The Panel agreed the proposed method is a reasonable and scientifically defensible estimation approach and provides a more flexible and statistically rigorous approach than the previous model. While the proposed calibration model is deemed state of the art and fully addresses the complexity of the survey data, the Panel suggests continued investigation of concerns identified in the report to further improve the calibration to rescale estimates to the improved FES design.