Implementation and Evolution of an Access-Point Angler Intercept Survey

Following an external review of the existing saltwater recreational fishery monitoring program in 2006, Congress mandated implementation of a new improved program.  Through the new Marine Recreational Fishery Program (MRIP), a sampling design was tested to replace the existing intercept survey. The Access Point Angler Intercept Survey (APAIS) was implemented on the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts in March, 2013, incorporating recommendations from the pilot testing.  The new design addressed issues related to temporal coverage, sample weighting to include all stages of sampling, and elimination of field procedure deviations from design-based sampling.  Challenges of the new design included: decreased productivity of interviews obtained, staff constraints, and efficient site cluster use.  Initial results yielded more unproductive sampling assignments and fewer angler interviews per sampling assignment than the previous survey, with fewer catch records available for catch per trip computation.  Field sampling modifications were made to increase sampling time per site, target higher-activity site-clusters, increase sampling during periods of peak fishing activity, and include multiple boat-fishing modes per sample assignment primarily to increase productivity of sampling the charter boat fishery.  Productivity improved as these changes were sequentially implemented during 2013 and 2014.