This study will critically review the types of survey methods used to estimate catch per unit effort and effort in recreational fisheries, including state/federal cooperative programs. The committee will examine representative survey types, but will not evaluate every regional or state survey method currently in use. The study will consider the match or mismatch between options for collecting recreational fisheries data and alternative approaches for managing recreational fisheries.In particular, the committee will assess current types of survey methods giving consideration to:- the suitability for monitoring different types of fishing (e.g., charter boats vs. private boats; offshore vs. near shore species, fisheries with temporally or spatially restricted fishing seasons)- the adequacy for providing the quality of information needed to support various approaches for managing recreational fisheries, with reference to how the management approach might be restricted by the type of survey method, stratification scheme, and sample size required. For example, is the management time frame (in-season, annual, or multi-year) consistent with temporal design of the survey; is the geographic scale of management (e.g. state vs. regional) appropriate for the resolution provided by the survey? How would the survey design need to be modified to match the requirements of the management approach?- make recommendations regarding possible improvements to current surveys and/or possible implementation of alternative approaches, including setting priorities for revising monitoring methods that will yield the greatest improvements in effort and catch per unit effort estimates.Current survey methods and recommended alternatives will be compared with relation to costs, sources of bias, precision, and timeliness.This project is sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.A Final Report will be issued at the end of the project in approximately 15 months.The approximate starting date for the project is 02/01/05.