MRIP Access Point Angler Inntercept Survey

Marine Recreational Information Program

MRIP At-a-Glance
What is MRIP?

The Marine Recreational Information Program, or MRIP, is a collaboration of fisheries
scientists and managers, independent statisticians and researchers, and other recreational
fishing stakeholders working to achieve complementary, equally important goals:
Provide timely, scientifically sound estimates that fishery managers, stock assessors,
and marine scientists need to ensure the sustainability of ocean resources.
Address regional and stakeholder needs and concerns about recreational fishing
catch and effort estimates.
Build greater confidence in the data, and the science behind it, among those
responsible for evaluating and managing fishery health, and the millions of
individuals whose lives and livelihoods are impacted by recreational fishing.

How does MRIP work?
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
Service provides world-class science and
stewardship.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Program: Gordon Colvin
gordon.colvin@noaa.gov
(240) 357-4524
Outreach: Leah Sharpe
leah.sharpe@noaa.gov
(301) 427-8205

www.CountMyFish.noaa.gov

MRIP is designed to be an ongoing process of evaluation, testing and implementation
of improvements to our survey methods. By the very nature of evolving science, fishing
trends and factors impacting fishery health, MRIP must continue to be fluid, dynamic and
responsive to change.
Current MRIP priorities and activities are outlined in the annual MRIP Implementation
Plan. The Plan was first published in October 2008, and has been updated each year since.
The Plan is publicly available on the MRIP website (www.countmyfish.noaa.gov).

What has MRIP accomplished?

Guided by an independent review of our survey methods by the National Research
Council (NRC), key milestones to date include:
Re-estimation of historical catch data to correct a “mismatch” identified by the NRC
between our data collection and estimation processes.
National Saltwater Angler Registry. Working mostly through state programs,
we now have a national “address book” of most saltwater fishermen, significantly
enhancing our ability to contact anglers for our effort surveys.
New Angler Catch Surveys. We have reduced potential for bias in our in-person
catch surveys by making sampling assignments more rigorous and adding protocols
such as sampling both day and nighttime fishing trips.
Public Access Fishing Site Register. This online database, listing characteristics of
every fishing site from Maine to Louisiana, enables us to create efficient, statistically
sound assignments for our catch surveys.
New Effort Surveys. Beginning in 2015, we are starting the process of transitioning
from a phone survey to a mail survey for our effort estimates. Studies have clearly
indicated that mail surveys will be better, but there are numerous factors to evaluate
before switching from one survey to another.
Complete details of MRIP’s numerous pilot studies and their results are available on the
MRIP website, www.countmyfish.noaa.gov

What’s next for MRIP?

As implementation progresses on these and other high-priority improvements to our
surveys, we are able to begin addressing additional stakeholder needs. For instance, we are
working with our regional partners to identify key areas of focus, such as increasing the
precision of our estimates. We are also evaluating various electronic reporting and data
collection technologies, such as the use of smartphone applications. Each decision to invest
in one priority over another comes with tradeoffs; tradeoffs that are best balanced through
the MRIP approach of bringing the right tools, people and relationships to the table.
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service