What We Do

NOAA Fisheries is entrusted with ensuring the long-term health of ocean fisheries and other marine life in federal waters. One of our most important jobs is working with both commercial and recreational fishermen to count what’s being caught, when, where, and how.

This information is used to decide how many fish can be taken recreationally and commercially without negatively affecting the sustainability of individual fisheries. It also ensures appropriate measures are taken to recover fisheries in trouble.

Fishing Surveys

Since it's impossible to count every angler or observe every fishing trip, we rely upon statistical sampling to estimate the number of trips recreational fishermen are taking and what they are catching. This method – similar to what’s used in opinion polling or TV ratings – gives us an estimate about the number of trips recreational fishermen are taking and what they’re catching on those trips.

Making Improvements

We’re constantly working to update our methods to keep pace with emerging science and the information needs of our users. Working with scientists, managers, fishermen, and others, we created a new program known as the Marine Recreational Information Program, or MRIP. Through MRIP, we are making continual improvements to how we collect and report out information. Some of these changes to our surveys are highly visible and some behind the scenes. All the changes enhance the quality of recreational fishing data.