Citizen Science
Recreational anglers can help managers improve the data they’re using to set limits and seasons for gamefish.
Arecent pilot study conducted by NOAA revealed unsettling findings: Fishing-effort surveys might be overestimating recreational catch and effort data by 30 to 40 percent. According to a white paper released jointly by the ASA, CCA and others, this marks the third time in 13 years that serious issues have emerged in NOAA’S MRIP program. It’s a stark reminder that in the world of fisheries management, even when we claim to have “the best scientific information available,” that information isn’t always correct.
unraveling the paradox
Fisheries management agencies around the world place tremendous importance on using the best scientific information available (BSIA). This approach seems entirely reasonable. After all, we entrust the health of our oceans to these agencies. However, beneath this seemingly unassailable principle lies a challenge: biases that distort data, leading to inaccuracies with far-reaching consequences.
what is telescoping?
One of the most pernicious biases that plagues fisheries data is telescoping bias. Imagine a telescope that distorts our perception, making things appear closer than they are. This bias manifests in various ways.
Anglers might exaggerate the size of their catches or inflate the number of fish they landed. They might inadvertently shorten the time between fishing trips in their memory. Locations and dates can become clouded.
These biases can have a cumulative impact, creating a ripple effect that distorts the entire dataset. Essentially, telescoping bias means we’re not measuring what we think we are, resulting in misinformed decisions, miscalculated catch limits, and implications for fish populations, bag limits, season lengths and closures that reduce our access to fish.
so, how can anglers help?
It’s going to take time for NOAA to address the source of this bias. In the meantime, what can anglers do to help? One solution could lie in citizen-science phone apps that empower recreational anglers to contribute to data collection. These allow anglers to record the details of their catches while their memories are fresh.
Recognizing this potential, state agencies and regional fishery councils are increasingly incorporating app-generated data into their management strategies. For example, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council uses the Scifish app to capture localized, real-time information on shallow-water grouper and red snapper catches that helps to augment its data and lead to better decisions.
the role of anglers
While these are not a panacea, such apps could be a crucial step toward more accurate data. Embracing apps like this is a small step we can take while state and federal agencies work to address biases in their survey methodologies.