The ASGA team was briefed by NOAA officials that the Fisheries Effort Survey has been overestimating recreational fishing effort. Our current understanding is that this overestimation is around 30-40%, as was discovered in a recent pilot study to evaluate potential survey bias. NOAA plans to initiate further studies in 2024 to validate this information.

NOAA Fisheries’ Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) implements a national network of recreational fishing surveys. The Fishing Effort Survey gathers information about the number of trips anglers take. This data is integral to stock assessments, harvest numbers, and recreational discards.

The news of this significant overestimation has serious implications for our fisheries.

LINK (via ASGA)