MRIP Access Point Angler Inntercept Survey

Marine Recreational Information Program

Frequently Asked Questions:
Improved Angler Catch Survey
MRIP gathers catch information through in-person interviews with anglers at public
access fishing sites. Our samplers count and interview all anglers at each site. During the
interview, samplers measure and weight all landed fish and ask how many of each species
anglers released. The following are questions frequently asked about this survey.

Does MRIP survey anglers at private fishing sites?

NOAA Fisheries is an agency
within the Commerce Department’s
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA). NOAA’s
mission is to understand and predict
changes in the earth’s environment
and conserve and manage coastal
and marine resources to meet
our nation’s economic, social
and environmental needs. NOAA
Fisheries provides world class
science and stewardship.

Field samplers are not permitted on private property, which means we only interview anglers at
public fishing access points like state-operated piers, boat ramps, and parks. We have an ongoing
study comparing catch rates at both private and public sites to find out if there are differences
like catch rates or species targeted, that might impact our catch estimates. The results of this
study may lead to further improvements to our angler catch survey if necessary.

Why do field samplers interview anglers who did not catch any fish?

We need a representative sample of all fishing trips, including those where lots of fish were
caught and those where none were caught. If we only sampled anglers who caught lots of fish,
our estimates would be skewed high. By sampling all types of trips, we gather information that
truly reflects the fishing that’s occuring.

Who conducts the survey?

A team of trained field samplers conduct the angler catch surveys. States either manage their
own survey programs, which puts them in charge of hiring and overseeing their field samplers,
or work with our federal contractor on behalf of NOAA Fisheries.

How do samplers decide where to go?

Samplers are given an assignment to visit predetermined sites in a specific order on an specific
day and time. Each assignment is produced by a computer model that randomly selects sites
based on certain characteristics. This ensures we get a representative sample of all types of fishing
activity.

Will samplers stay at a fishing site where no one is fishing?

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Program: Gordon Colvin
gordon.colvin@noaa.gov
(240) 357-4524
Outreach: Forbes Darby
forbes.darby@noaa.gov
(301) 427-8528

Strict adherence to the sampling design is imperative for collecting statistically sound data. This
means a sampler is required to stay at a site for the duration of the assignment, even if there is
little or no fishing activity there. This is a case where documenting no fishing activity is valuable
data. It’s giving us a complete picture of what’s happening – or not happening – on the water.

Does sampling occur on bad weather days?

In order for our survey to be statistically rigorous, field samplers must sample according to their
pre-determined assignments. That includes cases of bad weather and natural disasters, unless it
poses a threat to the safety of the sampler. No-fishing days are also reflected by our effort survey,
which calls anglers on the phone to find out how many fishing trips they’ve taken recently.

How many anglers are surveyed each year?

About 111,000 anglers are surveyed each year at fishing sites on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

What happens to the information after its collected by field samplers?

www.CountMyFish.noaa.gov

Catch data is combined with information from our effort surveys to produce an estimate of total
catch. This estimate is then combined with other sources of information to assess the health of
fish stocks, set catch limits, and make regulations.
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service