1. MSA Reauthorization: Recreational Fisheries Data Collection John Boreman, Ph.D. Office of Science and Technology National Marine Fisheries Service Gulf Council Meeting June 2007 Tab H, No. 4

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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)

6. 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)

7. 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

8. 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

9. MSA Reauthorization: Federal Registry Program John Boreman, Ph.D. Director, Office of Science and Technology National Marine Fisheries Service Council Chairs Meeting May 2007

10. -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:

11. 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”

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. Current Status of State Registries

16. 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?