Notice2025-16825
NOAA Fisheries Virtual Peer Review Workshop for the Fishing Effort Survey Calibration Model
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 3, 2025
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NOAA Fisheries Office of Science and Technology will host a two-day virtual workshop with the opportunity for partner and public comment for the independent peer review of the proposed Fishing Effort Survey (FES) calibration model methodology. The model is proposed for use to update the historical recreational fishing estimates produced using the FES to the scale of the improved FES anticipated for implementation in January 2026. Pending peer review results and associated next steps, calibrated estimates using the peer-reviewed calibration model are anticipated to be available for use in subsequent stock assessments and fisheries management decisions in spring 2026. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 168 (Wednesday, September 3, 2025)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 168 (Wednesday, September 3, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42571-42572]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-16825]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XF132]
NOAA Fisheries Virtual Peer Review Workshop for the Fishing
Effort Survey Calibration Model
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of Peer Review Workshop for the NOAA Fisheries' Fishing
Effort Survey Calibration Model.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NOAA Fisheries Office of Science and Technology will host a
two-day virtual workshop with the opportunity for partner and public
comment for the independent peer review of the proposed Fishing Effort
Survey (FES) calibration model methodology. The model is proposed for
use to update the historical recreational fishing estimates produced
using the FES to the scale of the improved FES anticipated for
implementation in January 2026. Pending peer review results and
associated next steps, calibrated estimates using the peer-reviewed
calibration model are anticipated to be available for use in subsequent
stock assessments and fisheries management decisions in spring 2026.
See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
DATES: The calibration peer review workshop will be held virtually
Sept. 23 and 24, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT and from 9 a.m. to
3 p.m. EDT, respectively. The established times may be adjusted as
necessary to accommodate the timely completion of discussion relevant
to the peer review process. Such adjustments may result in the meeting
being extended from or completed prior to the times established by this
notice.
ADDRESSES: This is a virtual meeting. The meeting will be live
streamed. Individuals may register to virtually attend the workshop by
going to the following links:
<bullet> Registration link, Day 1, Sept. 23: (<a href="https://noaanmfs-meets.webex.com/weblink/register/r4fe7a6bde76fd199c21f3cf0fa6e9d05">https://noaanmfs-meets.webex.com/weblink/register/r4fe7a6bde76fd199c21f3cf0fa6e9d05</a>)
<bullet> Registration link, Day 2, Sept. 24: (<a href="https://noaanmfs-meets.webex.com/weblink/register/r9e933f7718ec4d1776a9103c5e3c879a">https://noaanmfs-meets.webex.com/weblink/register/r9e933f7718ec4d1776a9103c5e3c879a</a>)
Registration is required. The web connection details will be
provided to the registrant upon registering. If you have issues with
registering, please contact Dr. Katherine Papacostas (see FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT). The attendee cap for this meeting is 1,000
individuals.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Katherine Papacostas, MRIP program
manager; 301-427-8210 or email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#355e54415d50475c5b501b45544554565a46415446755b5a54541b525a43"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bed5dfcad6dbccd7d0db90cedfcedfddd1cdcadfcdfed0d1dfdf90d9d1c8">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NOAA Fisheries' Office of Science and
Technology has commissioned an independent, expert peer review to
assess the quality and credibility of the proposed calibration model to
be used to update the historical recreational fishing estimates
produced using the current FES to the scale of the improved FES
anticipated for implementation in January 2026.
Fishing Effort Survey Background
As part of the Agency's continuous evaluation and improvement
process, NOAA Fisheries has been researching improvements to the FES,
which is a key survey component of the Marine Recreational Information
Program (MRIP) that estimates recreational fishing effort--
specifically, the number of fishing trips taken by shore and private
boat anglers from Maine to Mississippi and in Hawaii. The current FES
mail survey design was implemented in 2018 and replaced the legacy
Coastal Household Telephone Survey (CHTS) to address declining response
rates and coverage issues associated with landline telephone surveys.
Throughout 2024, NOAA Fisheries conducted a large-scale study
(<a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/recreational-fishing-data/fishing-effort-survey-research-and-improvements">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/recreational-fishing-data/fishing-effort-survey-research-and-improvements</a>) to test improvements to the
FES based on results of prior pilot studies. The tested design
increased the administration of the survey from every 2 months to
monthly and changed the order of two fishing effort questions to
improve respondent reporting. Based on the study findings and pending
peer review results of the study report and proposed design
(anticipated in late summer
[[Page 42572]]
2025), the Agency plans to implement an improved FES design.
Calibration Model Background
To assure continuity and comparability of recreational fishing
effort estimates through survey design changes, NOAA Fisheries' team of
statistical consultants developed a calibration model. This model
updates historical estimates produced by the current FES to estimates
that would have been produced had the improved design been in place
prior to 2026. This updated calibration model incorporates and builds
upon the peer-reviewed model developed to calibrate the historical
estimate time series from the CHTS to the current FES.
Peer Review and Workshop Objectives
The objective of this peer review is to evaluate the effectiveness
and suitability of the proposed calibration model for re-estimating
historical estimates of private boat and shore fishing effort. It is a
vital step in NOAA Fisheries' commitment to enhancing the quality and
reliability of recreational fishing data. Insights gained from the peer
review will inform the finalization of the calibration model and guide
its application in updating historical effort estimates, ensuring
fisheries stock assessment and management continue to be based on
statistically robust and consistent catch and effort data. The final
peer review report outlining findings and recommendations is
anticipated to be completed and submitted to NOAA Fisheries in late
fall 2025.
Day 1 of the workshop focuses on technical presentations and
discussion regarding objectives of the peer review; the 2024 FES study;
background on calibration purpose and needs; and a walkthrough of the
updated calibration model methodology, assumptions, and model outputs.
In addition, partners and the public will have the opportunity to raise
questions and concerns regarding the presented information. Day 2 of
the workshop includes a Q&A with the calibration model developer and
panel-only sessions for initial model assessment discussions and report
planning.
See attached agenda and peer review performance work statement for
further information.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: August 27, 2025.
Howard Townsend,
Acting Director, Office of Science and Technology, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-16825 Filed 9-2-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 3, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.