Applications of Digital Video Recording in the Estimation of Ocean Recreational Fishing Effort off Oregon

Several different methods of assessing ocean recreational fishing effort have been used by the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife’s Ocean Recreational Boat Survey (ORBS) since 1979.  These include direct real time bar crossing counts; trailer, slip, and launch counts; and charter office logs.  Digital video recording (DVR) equipment was added to this suite of options beginning in 2008, and is now being utilized to monitor ocean private boat effort in four out of the eleven ocean ports currently sampled by ORBS.  Use of DVR equipment has allowed for increased effort counting coverage with reduced staffing and with the same accuracy as direct real time bar crossing counts.  Presentation will provide a discussion of the advantages, limitations, and requirements for implementation of this methodology, and describe its current status and functionality within ORBS in the estimation of ocean recreational fishing effort.