Trip Interview Program (TIP)

The Fisheries-Dependent Monitoring (FDM) section within the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) has ten port sampling field biologists involved in the Trip Interview Program System (TIPS), a cooperative effort with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries' Southeast Fisheries Science Center. This is a shore-based sampling program, in which our biologists visit docks and fish houses to conduct interviews with commercial fishers.  Information collected consists of catch, fishing effort, and biological data from harvested state and federally managed species.  The biological data includes lengths, weights, and hard parts used for aging fish, such as otoliths and spines. Researchers are able to age fish from these hard parts via annual growth zones within these structures, in a process similar to counting rings to determine the age of a tree. Ages derived from otolith and spines are used to estimate the age distribution of a fish population. The age distribution of a fish population and how it has changed over time are critical components used in the population assessment of fishes. Our biologists also collect additional biological samples as requested by research partners. These include soft tissues for mercury testing and stable isotope analysis, fin clips for genetics analysis, and gonad cross sections to assess sexual maturity. Along with collecting biological data from harvested catch, our biologists also work closely with dealers to help with fish identification and trip ticket reporting.

The following table are the 2023 totals split up regionally, including total number of fisher interviews, total fish measured, and total aging samples collected.

Information for Wholesale/Retail Dealers.