From NOAA's Fishnews:
On February 12, NOAA Fisheries unveiled a strategy to address the most critical questions facing recreational fisheries data collection and analysis, and ultimately to support the management decisions affecting our nation's fisheries. This Development Plan incorporates key suggestions and concerns expressed by the nearly 100 scientists, managers, and members of the sportfishing community who have already participated in this process. This document is the first step in what the agency anticipates will be a dynamic and iterative process. It contains detailed information on the specific tasks assigned to the various teams and working groups, which must work simultaneously for the agency to meet its mandated deadline of January 2009. Over the next few weeks, NOAA Fisheries will be making public announcements of upcoming meetings and activities.
More information is available online.
The MRFSS is the Marine Recreational Fishery Statistics Survey -- a creel survey with enough economic questions every 4-5 years to estimate the demand for fishing trips. Apparently, it has its problems as a creel survey (and as an economics survey). I guess I welcome an upgrade, but damnit, I really have pretty much figured out the MRFSS (it only takes 10 years or so)!
