Facing accuracy challenges, NOAA looks to improve its fisheries data collection strategy

NOAA Fisheries is holding an online workshop to “re-envision” the nation’s state, regional and federal recreational fisheries data collection program and partnership, known as the Marine Recreational Information Program, or MRIP. The program has suffered significant data accuracy challenges over the years and NOAA Fisheries aims to improve it.

Commercial fishers record and report the fish they catch so commercial fishing data is accurate according to what is caught and where. Recreational fisheries do not record catch and effort, however, so NOAA Fisheries, through stock assessments and the MRIP program, estimate recreational catch and effort. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration uses the estimates to manage stocks and establish recreational harvest limits. Because the data are estimates, they are often inaccurate.

Two public workshops will be held to engage leaders of the recreational fishing community and garner their input on the subject. Participants only need to attend one of the sessions as the presentations will be the same.

The webinars will provide an overview of the re-envisioning effort, including the proposed process outline with milestones and offer an opportunity for participants to discuss the approach and to ask questions.

“Feedback is imperative to help guide this process," said Russell Dunn, the NOAA Fisheries’ national policy adviser for recreational fishing. "Evan Howell, NOAA Fisheries Office of Science and Technology director, will present at the webinar.”  Participants are encouraged to submit specific topics and questions they would like to have addressed at the webinars to Sarah Lazo (sarah.lazo@noaa.gov) by Friday, May 24.

“A Briefing on a Collaborative Vision for a Modernized Recreational Fisheries Data Partnership” will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 29. Google Meet joining info: Video call link at meet.google.com/vap-aoik-mfh  or call 1-864-402-4558, PIN: ‪475 217 791#.

More phone numbers at tel.meet/vap-aoik-mfh?pin=6594445109036.

The second session is from 3 to 4 p.m. Thursday, May 30. Google Meet joining info: Video call link at meet.google.com/tyz-mqct-eiq,  or call 1-740-480-1236, PIN: ‪558 133 395#.

More phone numbers at tel.meet/tyz-mqct-eiq?pin=1175771070586.

Big plugs for big fish

Expert angler Richard Reich will be the featured speaker at 7 p.m. Monday, May 20, at a seminar titled “Big plugs for big fish.” The seminar is sponsored by the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association and will be at the West Warwick Elks Lodge at 60 Clyde St. in West Warwick. Doors with open at 5:30 p.m. and food will be available through the Elks kitchen. RISAA members are admitted free and non-members are asked to make a $10 donation to the RISAA Scholarship Fund.

Reich is an expert shore angler who caught a 52-pound striped bass from the surf. He will talk about using large plugs for large fish from the surf.  He is an RISAA board member, youth fishing camp director and past chairman of the RISAA Surfcasters Committee.

For information, contact Scot Travers, RISAA executive director, at (401) 826-2121.

Where’s the bite?

Freshwater fishing. “The largemouth bass are in prespawn mode, so the bite is outstanding along with a good trout bite," said Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box in Warwick.  "One of our customers who fished Johnston Pond caught some great looking catfish last week." Jeff Sullivan of Lucky Bait & Tackle in Warren reported: “The largemouth bass bite is as good as it has ever been, and the trout bite has been fairly good.”

Striped bass and bluefish. “Stripers are everywhere, particularly in the East Passage with anglers catching them with all types of hard and soft plastic lures,” Giddings said. East End Eddie Doherty, Cape Cod Canal fishing expert and author, said: “Victor Villar reeled in a 28-inch striper while bouncing a green mack Savage off the bottom of an incoming breaking tide. Jack Gagnon landed his first fish ever in the Cape Cod Canal and it was a slot! Bass are moving in and out of the east end to feed on a good-size school of mackerel. Lots of slots were caught in the west end as well as some stripers up to 20 pounds, mostly on jigs.” Declan O’Donnell of Breachway Bait & Tackle in Charlestown said: “Fish range in size from 6-inch schoolies to 40-inch cows. Bass around the Breachways are mostly after silversides, so thin-profile baits, such as Joebaggs Miracle Minnow, Yo-Zuri Hydro Minnow, and SP Minnow have proven effective.” Sullivan reported: “Some nice-size bluefish have arrived in the Bay.” Steve Brustein of Warwick caught a 30-inch bluefish while trolling a Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow in Greenwich Bay last weekend.

Tautog fishing continues to improve. “The bite is gradually improving with most boats capturing a respectable limit'" O'Donnell said. "In order to have a productive day, you might need to try hitting a few different rockpiles because the fish are not moving around all that much.” Giddings reported: "The tautog bite is outstanding with anglers doing well at Indian Point Park, Providence, to Newport with anglers catching some nice fish at Plum Beach Light next to the Jamestown Bridge.”  Henault said: “A customer caught a 6-pound tautog, his first keeper, at India Point Park this week.”

“Squid fishing has been on and off from the shore and from boats in the Newport Bridge area," Henault said, "with Capt. Brandon Hagopian reporting a good squid bite off Rhode Island’s southern coastal beaches."

Dave Monti holds a master captain’s license and charter fishing license. He serves on a variety of boards and commissions and has a consulting business that focuses on clean oceans, habitat preservation, conservation, renewable energy and fisheries-related issues and clients. Forward fishing news and photos to dmontifish@verizon.net or visit noflukefishing.com.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Fishing Report: NOAA rethinks its fisheries data collection strategy