Virginia Game Fish Tagging Program: A Nontraditional Data Source for Fisheries Management

Abstract

Since 1995, the Virginia Game Fish Tagging Program (VGFTP) has collected data for recreationally important marine fishes in cooperation with skilled volunteers. These trained anglers tagged more than 380,000 fishes since 1995 and contributed data regarding fish movement and site fidelity patterns of species captured and released in the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic coastal waters. Over time, the VGFTP has become an important source of data for fishery managers and program data are included in stock assessments for species such as Cobia Rachycentron canadum. Best management practices from the VGFTP show that cooperative science programs that collect data for management should have mandatory hands‐on training with quality control mechanisms in place for submitted data. Further, fishery managers, statisticians, and stakeholders should work together to identify the data needs for statistical viability before volunteers start collecting information. Finally, data objectives and project results should be shared with the stakeholders who collected the data, in addition to fishery managers.

Effect of 32P Application Combined with Timolol Maleate on Circulating Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor in Children with Cutaneous Hemangioma

“…Although some of these assumptions may not be met under natural conditions, however this happening does not nullify the importance of these models in management studies. In fact, these are famous and reliable management methods (Musick and Bonfil, 2005). Actually, their frequent use rests on their easy handling and estimation of important fishery parameters such as F current , B MSY , etc.…”