Atlantic CoastAtlantic Coast

For-Hire ReviewFor-Hire Review

December 2008December 2008

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For-Hire SurveyFor-Hire SurveyRecommendationsRecommendations

• Catch and Biological SamplingCatch and Biological Sampling

• Classify charter boats based on Classify charter boats based on where they operate from into either where they operate from into either public or private docks or ramps.public or private docks or ramps.

• Use random selection process to Use random selection process to select boat trips from private sited select boat trips from private sited boats to survey.boats to survey.

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• Re: the inactive site substitution Re: the inactive site substitution process, such substitution should not process, such substitution should not occur and additional sampler occur and additional sampler resources needed to follow a stricter resources needed to follow a stricter random sampling procedure without random sampling procedure without alternative site selection should be alternative site selection should be implemented.implemented.– Current results could be biased toward Current results could be biased toward

more active boatsmore active boats

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• Clearly specify a random selection Clearly specify a random selection process for samplers to follow in process for samplers to follow in selecting anglers whose catch they selecting anglers whose catch they are going to inspect and record.are going to inspect and record.

• Initiate inspections for a sample of Initiate inspections for a sample of late afternoon, evening and night late afternoon, evening and night fishing vessels.fishing vessels.

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VDTS Telephone SurveyVDTS Telephone SurveyRecommendationsRecommendations

• Make sure a process is in place to Make sure a process is in place to obtain contact information for all obtain contact information for all vessels, so that the sample frame vessels, so that the sample frame accurately reflects boat population.accurately reflects boat population.

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• The apparent headboat-charter boat The apparent headboat-charter boat definition inconsistency should be definition inconsistency should be addressed, though given the addressed, though given the longevity of the SE Headboat survey, longevity of the SE Headboat survey, comparability of results concerns are comparability of results concerns are an issue also. an issue also.

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• This is a census that is mandatory, so This is a census that is mandatory, so sampling issues are not relevant sampling issues are not relevant

• Time delay issues due to monthly Time delay issues due to monthly reporting exist. reporting exist. – Recall error is likely a problemRecall error is likely a problem

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Vessel Trip Report Vessel Trip Report ProgramProgramRecommendationsRecommendations• The accuracy of reported information The accuracy of reported information

appears to be a potential problem. appears to be a potential problem. Validation efforts are needed. Validation efforts are needed.

• Vessel checks for presence or absence Vessel checks for presence or absence in marina on certain days; cross-in marina on certain days; cross-checked with later submission of VTR checked with later submission of VTR could identify problem vessels to be could identify problem vessels to be reported for probable non-compliancereported for probable non-compliance

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• Efforts to increase the timeliness of Efforts to increase the timeliness of making VTR data available should be making VTR data available should be reviewed and/or that regulations requiring reviewed and/or that regulations requiring specific data elements in the VTR might be specific data elements in the VTR might be modified so that equivalent information modified so that equivalent information available from other sources be allowed? available from other sources be allowed? – Are there not ways that the duplication of data Are there not ways that the duplication of data

collection can be collapsed into a single overall collection can be collapsed into a single overall survey that could meet all current data needs survey that could meet all current data needs by standardizing the needed information in by standardizing the needed information in each survey into a master survey that could be each survey into a master survey that could be collected in one timely data collection process collected in one timely data collection process instead of multiple overlapping processes?instead of multiple overlapping processes?

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• Alternative submission methods, Alternative submission methods, such as on-line web based forms such as on-line web based forms should be implemented.should be implemented.

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Large Pelagics Survey Large Pelagics Survey RecommendationsRecommendations• Re: LPIS random selection of vesselsRe: LPIS random selection of vessels

– specific guidelines on how the boat to be specific guidelines on how the boat to be surveyed should be selected, should be surveyed should be selected, should be specifiedspecified

• If there is a difference in participation rates If there is a difference in participation rates between HMS and nonHMS license holders between HMS and nonHMS license holders in participation with the LPTS, a procedure in participation with the LPTS, a procedure to encourage or require participation should to encourage or require participation should be considered and implemented, if feasiblebe considered and implemented, if feasible

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• We recommend probability proportional We recommend probability proportional to size sampling with the size measure to size sampling with the size measure being some advance projection of the being some advance projection of the catch.   catch.   – This is what pressure tries to get at.  This is what pressure tries to get at. 

Operationally, this can be done with Operationally, this can be done with stratified sampling and sampling of some stratified sampling and sampling of some strata at higher rates, directly with PPS strata at higher rates, directly with PPS (probability proportional to size) sampling, or (probability proportional to size) sampling, or a combination of the two.a combination of the two.

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Southeast Headboat Survey Southeast Headboat Survey RecommendationsRecommendations • A more structured and randomized A more structured and randomized

sampling procedure for selecting boats sampling procedure for selecting boats should be implemented and adhered to.should be implemented and adhered to.

• After the results of the comparison After the results of the comparison between the FHS and SEHB survey are between the FHS and SEHB survey are available, presumably a decision will be available, presumably a decision will be made as to which single survey will made as to which single survey will continue to be implemented.continue to be implemented.

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• A random selection process for choosing A random selection process for choosing anglers to inspect upon arrival at the anglers to inspect upon arrival at the dock should be implemented, to support dock should be implemented, to support a probability sampling approach. a probability sampling approach. – Picking a random number by some process Picking a random number by some process

and then counting the departing anglers and and then counting the departing anglers and selecting the one with that number; and then selecting the one with that number; and then doing the same thing again, when ready to doing the same thing again, when ready to select another, would be one approach. select another, would be one approach.

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• Taking steps in increase compliance Taking steps in increase compliance with the logbook reporting should be with the logbook reporting should be accelerated and enforced and accelerated and enforced and publicized.publicized.

• Validation efforts that are currently Validation efforts that are currently being utilized should continue. being utilized should continue.

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Maryland Chesapeake Maryland Chesapeake Bay Logbook ProgramBay Logbook Program• It is not clear from the information provided It is not clear from the information provided

if there is any advantage in conducting this if there is any advantage in conducting this state survey over relying on FHS information.state survey over relying on FHS information.

• It mentions daily record keeping requirement It mentions daily record keeping requirement but then says it is due in June of each year. but then says it is due in June of each year. Does this mean it is submitted only once a Does this mean it is submitted only once a year, maybe even after 18 months if they are year, maybe even after 18 months if they are late?late?– Recall issues?

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RecommendationsRecommendations

• Status of released catch should be Status of released catch should be added to the report.added to the report.

• Discussions with the state of Maryland Discussions with the state of Maryland regarding how the FHS might meet their regarding how the FHS might meet their needs without requiring the logbook.needs without requiring the logbook.– Maybe work with someone at MD CZM who Maybe work with someone at MD CZM who

might assist with directing us to someone in might assist with directing us to someone in MD willing to simplify process? MD willing to simplify process?

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Improving Government Efficiency..."Improving Government Efficiency" is one of three broad themes for Maryland's Coastal Program. Successful coastal zone management requires comprehensive and active participation by both public and private interests. Maryland's Coastal Program strives to coordinate and simplify procedures and give timely notification of and opportunities for public and local government participation and decision-making to ensure efficiency in coastal zone management.

Ensure Federal and State Consistency with State Policies•Review federal licensing and permitting activities •Review directly conducted and supported federal activities •Ensure adequate state level coordination Goal:Simplify Permit Processes

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/Bay/czm/gov_efficiency.html 1818

• Implement accuracy of logbook data Implement accuracy of logbook data validation efforts. validation efforts.

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South Carolina Logbook South Carolina Logbook Program Program RecommendationRecommendation

• Implement accuracy of logbook data Implement accuracy of logbook data validation efforts. validation efforts.

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Gulf CoastGulf Coast

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RecommendationsRecommendations

• The coordination of Texas fisheries The coordination of Texas fisheries sampling and data collection with the sampling and data collection with the other gulf coast fisheries should other gulf coast fisheries should continue in order to permit reporting continue in order to permit reporting on a common temporal basis and to on a common temporal basis and to permit meaningful data comparisons permit meaningful data comparisons across fisheries. across fisheries.

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• Coordination with ENP Guide Logbook Coordination with ENP Guide Logbook surveys should also be implemented to surveys should also be implemented to improve overall coverage and eliminate improve overall coverage and eliminate some possible duplicate efforts.some possible duplicate efforts.

• Population definitions need to be clearly Population definitions need to be clearly stated to clarify whether area fished or stated to clarify whether area fished or area landed is the basis for reporting. area landed is the basis for reporting.

  

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• Frame undercoverage needs to be Frame undercoverage needs to be documented and examined documented and examined periodically to be sure that the periodically to be sure that the undercoverage is indeed negligible undercoverage is indeed negligible or whether some effort should be or whether some effort should be devoted to extend coverage (e.g., to devoted to extend coverage (e.g., to night time fishing).night time fishing).

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• In most surveys, nonresponse In most surveys, nonresponse adjustments are based on weight adjustments are based on weight adjustments or on imputation.adjustments or on imputation.– A continuing research effort should be A continuing research effort should be

undertaken to find reasonable ways of undertaken to find reasonable ways of adjusting for both nonresponse and adjusting for both nonresponse and undercoverage. undercoverage.

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• Log books are required for head boats on Log books are required for head boats on a 100 percent basis. a 100 percent basis.

• Charter boats provide weekly log book Charter boats provide weekly log book data for sample weeks as part of the data for sample weeks as part of the telephone survey of effort. telephone survey of effort.

• Since log books are not mandated for all Since log books are not mandated for all weeks of operation, a good probability weeks of operation, a good probability sample of charter boat weeks appears to sample of charter boat weeks appears to be a reasonable approach.be a reasonable approach.

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• Verification of log book data should be Verification of log book data should be based on dock side verification methods based on dock side verification methods which are based on probability sampling. which are based on probability sampling. – Log book and dockside sampling can be Log book and dockside sampling can be

coordinated using double sampling coordinated using double sampling techniques to adjust the log book estimates techniques to adjust the log book estimates based on more accurate data obtained by based on more accurate data obtained by trained observers in the dockside intercept trained observers in the dockside intercept portion of the study.portion of the study.

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• The respondent sample is routinely The respondent sample is routinely treated as the selected sample for treated as the selected sample for estimation purposes. estimation purposes.

• The selection of the CPUE sample by The selection of the CPUE sample by site introduces an additional stage into site introduces an additional stage into the sampling process with large cluster the sampling process with large cluster sizes which tend to increase variance sizes which tend to increase variance with even a small intracluster with even a small intracluster correlation.correlation.

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• Probability proportional to size Probability proportional to size sampling could be used to good sampling could be used to good advantage to control the workload advantage to control the workload and to improve precision through and to improve precision through more optimal sample allocation.more optimal sample allocation.

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• Similar data are obtained from Similar data are obtained from multiple sources. multiple sources.

• It should be possible to establish a It should be possible to establish a system of preliminary estimates by system of preliminary estimates by month and revised estimates using month and revised estimates using more reliable sources or multiple-more reliable sources or multiple-frame estimation procedures to frame estimation procedures to improve precision and control bias.improve precision and control bias.

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• The sampling for CPUE appears to be The sampling for CPUE appears to be based on site and time assignments based on site and time assignments with accompanying quotas for with accompanying quotas for number of vessels or number fish of number of vessels or number fish of certain types to be observed. certain types to be observed.

• Data collectors have too much Data collectors have too much discretion in selecting the sample discretion in selecting the sample including shifting assignments. including shifting assignments.

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• Probability sampling methods need to be Probability sampling methods need to be developed and used to select the sample developed and used to select the sample at all stages of sample selection. at all stages of sample selection.

• Estimation procedures should be based on Estimation procedures should be based on the probability sampling designs. the probability sampling designs.

• Sample weights should be applied to the Sample weights should be applied to the data based on the probability sample data based on the probability sample design plus adjustments for nonresponse design plus adjustments for nonresponse and undercoverage.and undercoverage.

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• At sea data collection is limited to At sea data collection is limited to headboats and was discontinued in headboats and was discontinued in Alabama and West Florida. Alabama and West Florida.

• The need for and value of at sea The need for and value of at sea sampling and data collection should be sampling and data collection should be reviewed and either implemented for reviewed and either implemented for large vessels on a consistent basis or large vessels on a consistent basis or dropped along with improvements in dropped along with improvements in other methods.other methods.

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• The NRC report urged additional The NRC report urged additional staffing to supplement NMFS staffing to supplement NMFS statistical expertise. statistical expertise.

• A continuous improvement program to A continuous improvement program to develop and monitor probability develop and monitor probability sampling methods and the associated sampling methods and the associated estimation methods will require the estimation methods will require the type of staffing recommended by NRC. type of staffing recommended by NRC.

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