The Marine Resources Commission is part of NOAA Fisheries Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP): the state-regional-federal partnership responsible for estimating recreational fishing activity across the United States. During the fishing season, our staff conduct in-person interviews with anglers returning to marinas, boat ramps, beaches, fishing piers, and other publicly accessible fishing sites. We count the number of anglers returning from fishing trips, measure and weigh the fish that were caught, and collect information about fish that were released. These interviews are confidential, and the information samplers collect is protected under the Privacy Act of 1974.
If you encounter VMRC samplers in the field, please take a few minutes to answer our questions about your fishing trip. Sharing this information is one of the most important contributions you can make to fisheries science, management, and the sustainability of a great American pastime.
Visit countmyfish.noaa.gov to learn more about the state-regional-federal partnership that generates the marine recreational fisheries statistics used to assess and maintain healthy U.S. fish stocks.
