| 27 October 2011
Snook, tarpon, bonefish, crevalle jacks, and even mullet, snapper and catfish perished in large numbers in the Jan 2010 freeze.
The value of discard data to marine fishery science is being realized through angler reporting.
The 2010 cold kill was a galvanizing event for Florida Anglers. Hundreds of thousands of fish including many prized inshore game species were killed. The vast majority of anglers had never seen anything remotely comparable.
The huge fish kill underscored the need for systematic angler reporting to determine the condition of remaining populations. By spring 2010, SGF volunteers had produced a new self reporting online survey, called Angler Action, adapted from previous logbooks with the help of FWRI fishery biologists.
The program is growing with more species being added, and coming soon - stickers for regular participants in Angler Action.
Snook&Gamefish Foundation was able to quickly launch Angler Action, and by the end of 2010, anglers reported more than 2000 hours of fishing online. Compared to previous fishery-dependent surveys, the new program emphasizes the importance of reporting all fish sizes caught, all fish released, and 0 catch trips, in addition to the usual harvest numbers.
Over time, these data have become especially important since they are the only fishery dependent data collected during the statewide moratorium on snook harvest.
Your Data Counts in the 2011 Snook Stock Assessment
On August 30, Angler Action data was requested by Dr. Robert Muller, Florida Wildlife Research Institute, for the snook stock assessment slated for November. Records were provided, and Dr. Muller gave this feedback: "These data were very important in 2010 and 2011 because of the closure and the proportion of fish that are released alive. I was pleased that your survey covers both coasts."
Dr. Muller said he looked at "both trip information and fish data which consisted of the lengths and then proceeded from there. Thanks again for the use of the data." The acceptance of this data into an FWRI stock assessment, so early in the development of the program is an important milestone that all Angler Action participants can be proud of.
(Click Image To Enlarge) Anglers in the Kayak Fishing ClassicS tournaments recorded 144.5 hours of fishing and the catch included 190 trout, 33 redfish and 12 snook.An expanded version of the current Angler Action survey has been in use since May, 2011 and since that time angler participation continues to grow, with reporting on Redfish, Trout, Snook, Tarpon, Bonefish and Permit. Anglers average over 30 reports/month has climbed to more than 100 reports in the last forty days.
Through Oct 1, Angler Action has recorded 4631.7 hours of fishing by 1384 anglers. More importantly, anglers and researchers are continuing to collaborate on improvements with the goal of making data collection simple and tools for data analysis accessible and relevant. Your comments and suggestions are
welcome and can be directed to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
Tournament participation in Angler Action adds to data.
Tournament and Club Participation
Consistent reporting by anglers is the key to building better data for
fishery management. Programs like KayakFishingClassicS, which promote self reporting as part of a conservation approach at each tournament, are a great help to the program.
It's interesting to note that of the 190 trout caught in KFC's fishing tournaments, none were harvested and three were reported killed during catch/release , (by predator, exhaustion, etc). A 4.6% mortality rate for trout caught and released on hook and line was noted in one scientific study published in 1995, by the North American Journal of Fisheries Management 15:748-753.
Individuals, clubs and tournaments are invited to participate in Angler Action. Become a participant by logging a trip at www.angleraction.org or snookfoundation.org/data
Every fishing trip Counts - Record your trips - click here.
Coming soon: Anglers who report consistently will receive stickers with their favorite fish. Anglers can report on trips targeting Redfish, Trout, Snook, Tarpon, Bonefish and Permit. Remember "0" catch trips and under slot fish are IMPORTANT to the record. Make every fishing trip Count!
