MSA Reauthorization: Recreational Fisheries Data Collection

John Boreman, Ph.D.Office of Science and TechnologyNational Marine Fisheries Service

Gulf Council Meeting

June 2007

Tab H, No. 4

Background

• April 2006: NRC Study released

• Sept 2006: National Workshop on Information Priorities

• Nov 2006: Regional constituent calls

• Jan 2007: MSA Reauthorization Act

• Ongoing: Data mining and analyses

MSRA Section 401(g)(3):Data Collection

• Within 24 months, establish (and implement) a program to improve quality and accuracy of information gathered by MRFSS, taking into account NRC recommendations to the extent feasible

• Methodology shall include:• Adequate number of intercepts to estimate catch and effort• Use of surveys that target registered or licensed anglers• Collection of trip report data from charter vessels• Development of a weather corrective factor• Establishment of an independent oversight committee

Current Status

• Plan for upgrading data collection system released in January ’07

• Executive Steering Committee established

• Operations Team established

• Registry Team – TBD

• Communications and Education Team - TBD

Executive Steering Committee

• Vince O’Shea (ASMFC)• Larry Simpson (GSMFC)• Randy Fisher (PSMFC)• Kitty Simonds (WPFMC)• Miguel Rolon (CFMC)• Bob Fletcher (MAFAC)• Doug Mecum (NMFS – AKRO)• Nancy Thompson (NMFS – NEFSC)• John Boreman (NMFS – ST, Chair)• Tom Gleason (NMFS – MB, Executive

Secretary)

Operations Team

• Dave Donaldson (GSMFC)

• Russ Porter (PSMFC)• Megan Caldwell

(ASMFC)• Richard Cody (FLFWC)• Paul Dalzell (WPFMC)• Rob Kramer (IGFA)• Cindy Thomson (NMFS –

SWFSC)• Jason Didden (MAFMC)• Ron Salz (NMFS – ST)

• Dick Brame (CCA)• Gary Shepherd (NMFS –

NEFSC)• Guillermo Diaz (NMFS –

SEFSC)• Bob Clark (ADFG)• Graciela García-Moliner

(CFMC) • Mike Armstrong

(MADMF)• Rob Andrews (NMFS –

ST, interim chair)

What’s Next

• OT working on a list of priorities based on:– NRC Report– National Data Needs Workshop (Denver)– Regional conference calls with constituents

• Priorities will lead to work plan, which needs to be approved by early June 2007

• Proposed design needs to be ready by June 2008 for clearance and public comment

Input from Angling Public

• Public Website will allow feedback• Representation on Operations Team and

regional working groups• MAFAC role

– Disseminate information– Serves as a point of feedback– Responds to specific requests for opinion– Has representatives on Executive Steering

Committee, Operations Team, and Registry Team

• Council Advisory Panels• Regional listening and feedback sessions

MSA Reauthorization: Federal Registry Program

John Boreman, Ph.D.Director, Office of Science and Technology

National Marine Fisheries Service

Council Chairs Meeting

May 2007

- Federal registry program required in each of the 8 FMC regions by January 2009 (no fees before January 2011)

- Covers individuals fishing in the EEZ, for anadromous fish, or for Continental Shelf fishery resources beyond the EEZ

- If appropriate, the registration (including ownership, operator, and vessel ID) of vessels used in such fishing

- Exempts states with programs that already collect needed information

Sec. 401(g) states:

Sec. 401(g) states:

• Improved survey program required by January 2009

• Program shall take into consideration and, to maximum extent feasible, implement recommendations of NRC in its 2006 “Review of Recreational Fisheries Survey Methods”

NRC Recommendation

• Establish comprehensive, universal angler sampling frame with national coverage– Compile through National registration and/or coordination of

State saltwater licensing programs – Must provide appropriate contact information– Must include all participants – Must include both state and federal waters anglers– Should be restricted to anglers fishing in marine waters – Should be stored in automated, frequently updated database

• Base future telephone surveys of recreational fishing on this universal angler sampling frame

Minimum Data Elements -- Angler Registration

• State of registration• Angler name (first, middle,

last, suffix)• Mailing address of permanent

residence (street, city, state, zip code)

• County of permanent residence

• Phone number• Category of registration (if

applicable)• Effective dates of registration

Minimum Data Elements -- Vessel Registration

• Vessel name (if applicable)• Vessel registration number• Name of vessel owner or

operator• Mailing address• Phone number• State and County in which

vessel primarily operates• Port out of which vessel

primarily operates• Effective dates of registration

Current Status of State Registries

Issues To Be Resolved

• How will the registry program work?– One registration fits all?– Electronic or paper application?

• How will exemptions to state licenses be handled?– License requirements need to be changed? – Registry only for exempted categories?

• Data Management– Distributed system (ACCSP, PacFin, RecFin, etc.) or

national system?

• Enforcement?