The United States manages some of the largest fisheries in the world and implements regulations to ensure their sustainability. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (commonly known as the “MSA”) guides how the federal government manages its fisheries, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) overseeing most MSA activities.
The MSA goals are both ecological and economic in scope, in the sense that more effective fisheries management will maintain the health of fish stocks and produce greater economic benefits. The objectives focus on preventing overfishing, rebuilding overfished stocks, increasing long-term economic benefits and ensuring a sustainable domestic seafood supply. To meet these needs, fisheries managers must ensure that fish populations remain above a certain level and that harvest rates remain below overfishing levels.
Fishery-independent and fishery-dependent data are the two primary sources of information used to assess fish populations (i.e., determine whether they are at healthy levels). Fishery-dependent data are collected directly from fishermen, most commonly through logbooks, but can also be collected via reporting apps, fishery observers or surveys. In contrast, fishery-independent data are compiled separately and are often collected from scientists who are conducting surveys on the water.
Both methods have advantages and disadvantages, but their combined use is incredibly valuable for effective fisheries management. For example, challenges with fishery-independent data often stem from limited time and funds, which restrict the amount of data that can be collected. In contrast, fishery-dependent data can incorporate local ecological knowledge (a deep understanding of local ecosystems shared by anglers from their extensive experience on the water) that can address information gaps from fishery-independent efforts.
Because much more fishery-dependent data are collected than fishery-independent data, fishery-dependent data make up most of the information used in fish stock assessments.
Recreational anglers provide data
NOAA’s Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) collects fishery-dependent data that are used to evaluate and manage state and federal fisheries in the U.S., including the Gulf. This program develops and implements angler surveys to collect information about recreational fishing catch and effort. Four different recreational surveys are administered under the MRIP: the Access Point Angler Intercept Survey (an in-person survey conducted as anglers complete their fishing trips), the Fishing Effort Survey (a household mail survey to collect fishing trip information for each household resident), the For-Hire Survey (a telephone-based survey for state and federally permitted for-hire vessel representatives) and the Large Pelagics Survey, which consists of three specialized surveys incorporating in-person interviews, telephone surveys and biological sampling (all focused on tuna, sharks, billfish, and other offshore species).
Estimates of the total recreational catch and effort obtained from MRIP are then evaluated with commercial catch data and fishery-independent data to establish harvest regulations. Together, the four MRIP surveys provide valuable insight into fishery dynamics that is simply not available elsewhere.
However, fishery-dependent data (such as the information collected from MRIP surveys) can be biased, which may result in an inaccurate picture of a stock’s status. Despite the value of incorporating fishery-dependent data into management decisions, fishery management initiatives based on information provided by anglers will only be as good as the accuracy of the data collected. This is why NOAA conducts evaluations of these surveys, which are already designed based on extensive research and a thorough peer-review process. If sources of bias are found, NOAA then initiates improved protocols that can enhance data accuracy (and thus, fisheries management).
Pilot studies evaluate potential bias
In line with these objectives, NOAA recently implemented several pilot studies to evaluate potential sources of bias in the Fishing Effort Survey (FES) under the MRIP. Preliminary results suggested that anglers were likely to over-report their fishing activity and unlikely to complete the entire questionnaire.
Angler interviews supported these observations; although anglers were eager to report their fishing effort, they became frustrated when the time periods indicated in the surveys did not align with periods of fishing activity. As a result, fishing activity was often reported at the earliest opportunity in the survey - even if that meant providing inaccurate information that was outside the survey scope and/or providing contradictory responses throughout a survey.
These inaccurate responses and inconsistencies indicated that estimates of fishing catch and effort obtained from the FES were likely biased (inaccurately high). This discovery has since fueled contention between recreational anglers, state and federal agencies, and fisheries managers, particularly as inaccurately high estimates of fishing catch and effort could result in inappropriate restrictions on quotas and fishing season lengths.
However, it is important to acknowledge the limitations of these pilot studies and understand why the continued use of fishery-dependent surveys is beneficial for maintaining sustainable fisheries. These pilot studies were only conducted over a short time period and included small sample sizes that were not representative of an entire geographic region or fishery.
Additionally, these preliminary results were not consistent across states or fishing sectors. Thus, a follow up study will be conducted in 2024 – together with the current FES survey – to elucidate how a revised design will impact survey responses, and subsequently, catch and effort estimates. While these fishery-dependent surveys are not perfect, great effort is made to improve current surveys and ensure responses are recorded as accurately as possible. In many instances, these surveys are the best – and sometimes the only – information available for tracking annual and long-term catch and effort trends in the recreational sector. Thus, it is imperative that anglers report the most accurate answers to the best of their abilities to maximize the appropriateness and effectiveness of fisheries management measures.
For more information regarding research and improvements on recreational fishing effort surveys, please visit the NOAA website.