MS CREEL
ABOUT MS CREEL
MS Creel is MDMR’s recreational saltwater landings data collection program modeled after the Louisiana program, LA Creel. It uses data collected through phone and email surveys to estimate recreational saltwater fishing effort. The goal of MS Creel is to provide survey based recreational fishery information to aid in managing Mississippi’s valuable fishery resource
HOW DOES MS CREEL WORK?
We contact saltwater recreational anglers and charter captains weekly by phone and email to interview them about their fishing activities from the previous week.
The data collected from phone/email surveys provide effort numbers (volume of trips taken). During the pilot period the effort numbers can be paired with averaged historical data from surveys collecting in person, verified landings (the count of fish by species each angler has in his possession) and generate estimates of landings for various key species.
HOW DO RECREATIONAL FISHERMEN BENEFIT FROM MS CREEL?
This pilot study seeks to form the base on which Mississippi can determine more precise saltwater recreational landings estimates, resulting in greater confidence that stock assessments are accurate and that seasons are managed appropriately.
It also seeks to reduce the burden for completing surveys. MS Creel uses technology to collect angler activity rather than mail-out surveys. The survey is conducted quickly over the phone and can be conducted by email depending on anglers’ preferred method of contact.
With the development of a successful program, redundant survey programs can be removed and further reduce burden on anglers.
HELP US MAKE MS CREEL SUCCESSFUL
We rely on and appreciate anglers and charter captains’ participation in MS Creel. We currently use our saltwater fishing license database to conduct the surveys and will also use the no-cost Mississippi Recreational Offshore Landing Permit (MS-ROLP).
For the email and phone surveys to be successful, we need saltwater anglers and charter captains to provide accurate contact information when they get or renew their fishing licenses. The surveys are short and we just want to know about any fishing trips you may have taken the previous week. Even if you did not fish, your response is valuable.
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT MS CREEL?
Please reach out to program admin by email at mscreel@dmr.ms.gov or by phone at (228) 325-1585, the MS Recreational Survey Hotline.
