Improved Data Collection on Florida Red Snapper
Building on an agency priority of collecting accurate and timely recreational fishing data, NOAA Fisheries recently announced certification of a new survey design to be used by anglers fishing from private boats to estimate red snapper caught in Florida’s Gulf of Mexico waters.
This is one of several survey designs developed by the Gulf states in collaboration with NOAA Fisheries to supplement the agency’s Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) angler surveys and improve monitoring of the Gulf red snapper fishery.
“Certification of Florida’s new supplemental survey design, and similar efforts in other Gulf states, demonstrates NOAA’S commitment to collaborating with state and regional partners to advance recreational fishing data collection,” says retired Navy Rear Adm. Timothy Gallaudet, PH.D., NOAA’S acting undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere. “Working together to meet the states’ unique data needs helps improve data quality and provide fishing opportunities for generations to come.”
Once Florida and NOAA Fisheries collaboratively develop and implement a transition plan to integrate the Gulf Reef Fish Survey with the MRIP survey, the resulting estimates can be used in federal stock assessments and fishery management actions. Moreover, the survey is now eligible for federal funding, pending availability, to support implementation efforts and ongoing improvements.
“Red snapper are an important resource relied on by countless communities and businesses in the Gulf of Mexico,” says Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “This updated survey design, and others like it, will help the Department of Commerce and NOAA ensure that we’ll continue to enjoy this resource far into the future.”
For more about Florida’s Gulf Reef Fish Survey and similar efforts in other Gulf states, go to countmyfish.noaa.gov.