Data Boycott Counterproductive
to Healthy Marine Resources

HOUSTON, TX – With the possibility of a “data boycott” looming on the East Coast, Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) announced today that it remains committed to working with the National Research Council to devise a more effective and accurate survey method for gathering data on the recreational angling sector.

“The need to keep working within the system to improve data-collecting tools is even more critical now that some fishing industry groups in the Northeast and Florida are calling for a boycott on participating with current data collection efforts,” said Charles Witek, vice chairman of the CCA Government Relations Committee. “No good can come of a data blackout. It is irresponsible to discuss a boycott of the present system until a better one is in place. Ignorance is not an acceptable option and a boycott could easily backfire.”

“We have concerns about MRFSS – everybody has concerns about MRFSS – and we are concerned about how it is being used in certain instances, but it is the best system that we have available at this time,” said Richen Brame, CCA’s Atlantic States Fisheries Director. “CCA has always maintained that MRFSS can be improved, and we are working closely with NMFS and the National Research Council in their current efforts to improve the survey.”

Brame is CCA’s representative working with the National Research Council to review recreational fishing survey methods and address the problems associated with them. Over the past year, the NRC has organized a series of meetings around the country to develop a better system. The next meeting is scheduled for September 22 in New York.

“There are millions of anglers on the East Coast.  Trying to efficiently survey them and estimate their catch is a difficult thing to do. Refusing to participate in the process just makes the job of properly managing marine resources that much more difficult,” Brame said. “A data boycott is counterproductive – what we really need is more participation with the current survey methods for the good of the resource.”

“We understand the limitations of MRFSS and have encountered some problems with its application, the latest example being red grouper in Florida,” Witek said. “Despite our legal action in that case, CCA does not advocate a data boycott. If recreational interests really want more accurate data, the first big step would be implementing a saltwater license in the states that don't have it, to pay for the additional data collection."