Marine Recreational Information Program

Since 1997, New Hampshire Fish and Game has conducted a marine recreational fisheries survey in cooperation with NOAA Fisheries. Known as the Access Point Angler Intercept Survey (APAIS), it is one of two general marine recreational fishing surveys conducted with private anglers along the Atlantic coast, and allows Fish and Game to obtain estimates of the saltwater fish caught and harvested during anglers’ trips. The second survey—known as the Fishing Effort Survey (FES)—provides Fish and Game with an estimate of the number of fishing trips taken by saltwater anglers each year from shore and private boats. The data collected are available to the public through a searchable database maintained by the National Marine Fisheries Service, where you can see catch, harvest, and effort estimates of fish caught each year by anglers in many coastal states.

Do Your Part

If you encounter one of Fish and Game's trained survey staff during the summer at one of the many saltwater fishing access sites along New Hampshire's seacoast, we strongly encourage you to take a few minutes to speak with them and participate in the survey. When you share information about your fishing trip with state samplers, your fishing experience informs regulations that will protect fishing for generations to come. Sharing information about your fishing trip is one of the most important contributions you can make to fisheries science, management, and the sustainability of a great American pastime.

• Learn more about the Marine Recreational Information Program