Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Mandatory Reporting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Division demonstrates phased mandatory harvest reporting; anglers to start reporting five key species Dec. 1
Summary
The Division of Marine Fisheries showed a web form and iPhone app for the phased mandatory harvest reporting program required by state law; the rollout begins Dec. 1, 2025 (verbal‑warning compliance phase), with enforcement penalties phased in through 2027.
Division staff demonstrated the mandatory harvest reporting system required by state law and outlined phased implementation and enforcement.
Jesse Bissett, who led the demonstration, said the initial phase (starting Dec. 1, 2025) provides a simple web form and an iPhone app that anglers can access via QR code to report harvested red drum, spotted seatrout, flounder, gray trout and striped bass taken in coastal and adjacent waters. The form requires either a WRC (Wildlife Resources Commission) ID or a name plus zip code, the harvest area, gear type, and the numbers of fish kept. Reporters receive a confirmation number they can show Marine Patrol.
"We tried to make it as simple as possible," Bissett said, demonstrating a live submission; the staff timed a commissioner’s test submission at about a minute between starting the QR scan and receipt of the confirmation.
The division described the program as phased: a first‑year (12/01/2025–12/01/2026) enforcement approach of verbal warnings for noncompliance; year two a written warning; and a $35 fine (plus court costs) and potential license consequences beginning 12/01/2027. Bissett emphasized the initial phase is aimed at outreach and compliance rather than immediate penalties.
Commissioners questioned burdens on anglers and practical matters such as finding WRC ID numbers, how charter captains might help clients comply, and how the new reports would be integrated with existing recreational monitoring (MRIP) and trip ticket systems for commercial fishing. Bissett said the division plans to issue an RFP in spring 2026 for a more feature‑rich standalone reporting application (login, saved profiles, automatic population of user details), but that funding and staff capacity limit how fast those improvements can be built.
Several commissioners urged continued cooperation with MRIP samplers and reminded the public the mandatory reporting form does not collect discards or effort information, which remain important for stock assessments. Bissett acknowledged these limitations and said long‑term, valid mandatory reports might nevertheless become a useful supplementary data source.
The demonstration included a paper report card option for anglers without smartphone access; paper forms must be entered online within one day after the harvest. The division continues public outreach, QR‑code sticker distribution for boat ramps and charter boats, and development of the app’s Android version for 2026.
