Marine Angler Surveys
The Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) is a nation-wide program by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to establish a reliable database for estimating the impact of recreational fishing on saltwater fish resources. This survey is conducted in all U.S. coastal states. The information is used by Fishery Management Councils, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), as well as Federal and State resource agencies to create fishery management plans and to evaluate the impact of fishing regulations.
Estimates generated from the MRIP include the:
- total number of fish caught,released and harvested;
- weight of the harvest;
- total number of angler trips;
- number of marine recreational anglers.
Survey questions include: where you were fishing; how long you were fishing; what species you were fishing for; how many did you catch and release; can we measure and weigh your kept fish; what town do you live in; how often do you fish, your name and phone number.
MARINE VOLUNTEER ANGLER
SURVEY PROGRAM
The Marine Fisheries Division is seeking marine recreational anglers who will volunteer to participate in the Connecticut Volunteer Angler Survey (VAS) Program. The VAS Program is designed to collect fishing trip and catch information from marine recreational (hook and line) anglers who volunteer to record their angling activities via a logbook. VAS anglers contribute valuable fisheries-specific information concerning striped bass, fluke, bluefish, scup, tautog and other important finfish species used in monitoring and assessing fish populations inhabiting marine waters.
* New for 2013, participants will have the choice of either filling out the traditional paper logbooks and mailing them back in or by entering their data electronically by a computer web based application. In either case, paper logbooks will still be sent out to each angler.
Both the VAS paper logbook and the computer electronic version are easy to enter. Each participating angler is assigned a personal code number for confidentiality.The paper logbook instructions are located on the inside cover and the electronic version will have a specified menu with assisted help information. Upon completion of the paper logbook, tape the pre-postage paid logbook shut and drop it off in the mail. All paper logbooks are returned to each angler for their own personal records upon data entry. Anglers that participate are also provided with updated program results and public hearing notices concerning recreational fishery management regulations.
Participating is very important for marine fisheries management.Please contact:
Rod MacLeod
rod.macleod@ct.gov
860-434-6043
CT Department of Energy
& Environmental Protection
Marine Fisheries Division
P.O. Box 719, Old Lyme, CT 06371
Regulations in red are new this year.
Purple text indicates an important note.
