Guam Shore-based Creel Survey

Similar in basic design to other shore-based creel surveys in the region, the Guam survey has been ongoing since the early 1980s and is continuing today. Creel surveys have 2 major sub-surveys; one to estimate participation (fishing effort), and one to provide catch-rate (CPUE), species composition data, and size of fishes. One unique feature about this survey is that it has an aerial survey component which obtains near-shore, non-boat based fishing effort for areas not covered by the Creel survey routes surveyed from vehicles driving along shoreline roads collecting the participation and interview data. Aerial survey data are used to create adjustment factors to estimate the amount of fishing effort and catch made in areas too remote or not accessible by road to surveyors (e.g. too far off the main roads on remote beaches and cliffs, or on military bases). These data are considered confidential.