Fisheries managers may be overestimating catch and effort by 30-40%.
Help us improve how your on-water reality is measured.
Fisheries managers may be overestimating catch and effort by 30-40%.
Help us improve how your on-water reality is measured.
Now Accepting Applications for Summer 2026 – Limited to 150 Vessels
Easy & Free GPS Setup No Camera, No Catch Reporting Fish as You Normally Do Get $200 for Participating
-- How It Works --
1. Take a 2-minute Survey
2. We Provide the Gear
4. Get Rewarded
3. You Install the GPS on your Boat
Briefly tell us about your boat & fishing habits.
If selected, we'll mail you a free, easy-to-install 12-volt GPS device.
Once installed, forget about it for 12 months.
Contribute to improved reef fish management, get a $200 fishing store gift card for your efforts .
1. Take a 2-minute Survey
Recreational management depends on two key pieces of information: effort (the number of fishing trips) and catch. Together, they determine estimates of total catch, which can affect season lengths and bag limits.
Get $200 For Participating
No Camera
No Catch Reporting
Of the two, effort has been especially difficult to measure accurately. Current mail-in surveys may be overestimating fishing trips by 30–40%, and many angler groups have called for better methods. This study aims to test a more reliable method. Using GPS data from volunteer vessels, researchers will train a computer model to recognize recreational fishing trips based on how boats move on the water and tell them apart from other activities like shrimping or pleasure boating. This study focuses on improving the effort side of the equation. Catch data will still come from established state programs, such as LA Creel, Tails 'n Scales, FL State Reef Fish Survey, and AL Creel. We do all this while keeping your fishing spots secret.
-- We Take Privacy Seriously --
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We don't reveal your fishing spots
Your individual data are kept confidential
No cameras, no audio, and no catch reporting
This study is strictly scientific, data does not go to enforcement
The GPS device is removed at the end of the study
You can pause or opt out at anytime
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LGL is an independent research firm. We are not a reglatory agency and do not issue fishing regulations.
Data are aggregated and reported at a 6 mile resolution
Your spots are not shared
Get Involved!
Interested? Participate in this 2-minute survey to sign up! Click 'Apply Here' or scan the QR code below.
Recreational anglers that target reef fish such as snapper & grouper
Owner or operator of a recreation fishing vessel
Launch from a Gulf Coast port (TX, LA, MS, AL, or FL)
Make multiple reef fish trips per year
Willing to have a GPS device installed for ~1 year
Who Can Participate?
Contact Us
reeffisheffort@lgl.com
PHONE
713-825-6468