Science Advisory Report  2015/059

Evaluation of the Internet Recreational Effort and Catch (iREC) Survey methods

Summary

• The internet recreational fishing effort and catch (iREC) survey is a new tool for generating synoptic fisher-dependent estimates of catch and effort for tidal water fisheries. iREC provides estimates of catch and effort for more than 75 species with recreational catch limits across six fishing methods in all Pacific Fishery Management Areas. For most species, the iREC estimates represent the first recreational catch estimates available. 
• To address potential iREC survey bias, a procedure has been developed to calibrate  iREC catch estimates for boat-based angling, which compares creel and iREC survey estimates for months and areas where they both occur.  A comparison of creel and iREC catch estimates demonstrated that the precision of iREC estimates are generally of comparable magnitude to precision of creel estimates.  
• iREC survey results presented as heat maps (relative catch and effort across time and space) are considered highly informative because they provide a full picture of fishing effort throughout the year and can assist allocation of catch monitoring resources.  Heat maps were found to be consistent with expert knowledge of fishing regulations, fishery characteristics, and patterns of recreational fishing.
• Non-response bias was identified as the most significant among several potential biases.  It is recommended that work continue to evaluate and, where possible, improve the iREC survey to address biases. Instantaneous selection and notification at the time of license purchase and improved education of recreational fishers are recommended.
• The iREC survey design was accepted as an appropriate methodology for estimating recreational fishing catch and effort . However, recommendations for further analysis and modifications to the improve survey design to better estimate uncertainty are provided.
• Recreational catch estimates generated in this assessment are considered the best available at this time. As new data become available, and as survey and/or analytical methods are refined, iREC estimates will be updated. 
• It was highlighted that creel surveys remain a necessary part of catch monitoring and are essential for the iREC calibration procedure, and that ongoing resources are required to manage the iREC survey and implement survey improvements, manage data and complete data requests.
• Efforts underway to expand the iREC survey to include recreational fisheries for federally managed species in fresh waters, are encouraged.

This Science Advisory Report is from the June 2-3, 2015 Evaluation of the internet recreational effort and catch (iREC) survey methods. Additional publications from this meeting will be posted on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science Advisory Schedule as they become available.

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