Government Accountability Office says feds could do a better job counting fish

The National Marine Fisheries Service needs to do a better job counting fish so it can develop better catch limits for recreational anglers.

A recent report by the Government Accountability Office found a number of issues in how the federal agency collects population data for fish species which has led to overly restrictive catch limits on several popular fish, including red snapper.

The report says the National Marine Fisheries Service has taken “many steps” to improve data collection but needs to adopt a master plan for counting fish in a more accurate, timely and transparent manner.

The study found that the agency doesn’t have a complete registry of recreational anglers, often misses some groups of fishermen while conducting surveys, and needs more “shoreside observers” to improve data collection.

The study does point out that increased funding may be needed to expand federal fish counts.

Some states, like Louisiana, have stopped relying on federal data and have implemented their own state run programs.

The study was done at the request of congress – many of whom want to relax restrictions on many types of recreational fishing and give states more authority over fish stocks in federal waters, particularly red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico.

You can see the full 45 page report on-line.

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http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-16-131

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