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California Recreational Fisheries Survey (CRFS)

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CRFS staff taking surveys
woman in boat holding fish
CDFW staff - Man holding fish
2 CDFW Staff posing for camera
CDFW staff person in boat holding fish
CDFW staff in boat holding fish
reflection of sun in water

Overview

The California Recreational Fisheries Survey (CRFS) mission is to collect fishery-dependent data on California’s marine recreational fisheries, and to accurately estimate catch and effort in a time frame and on a scale that meets management needs. CRFS collects the data necessary to estimate catch and effort for California’s diverse recreational finfish fisheries which range from the California-Mexico border to the California-Oregon border extending over 1,100 miles of coast, and is surveyed at over 400 sampling sites. Annually, CRFS conducts over 7,000 sampling assignments and contacts over 68,000 fishing parties. High sampling rates produce confidence in estimates with a 20 percent sample rate of private boat anglers during salmon or groundfish seasons. CRFS collects the data to produce the estimates for all sport-caught finfish.

Background

Collecting recreational fisheries data can be challenging because:

  • Recreational fishing effort and success rates are highly dynamic—a large sample is needed to adequately estimate catch and effort; therefore this requires a great amount of resources to meet this sampling need.
  • Fishing effort is challenging to predict—sportfishing is affected by weather, gas prices and the economy, time of year and fishing seasons; probably more so than for the commercial sector.

Nevertheless, the recreational sector accounts for a significant portion of overall harvest of marine fish species in California. Therefore it is imperative to collect the necessary data and produce estimates of harvest to give fishery managers the information they need to sustainably manage this sector.

Learn more about CRFS goals, history, and the dedicated staff that collect data.

Survey Design

Angler Participation

CRFS sampler with an anglerAngler cooperation is critical to the success of the survey. Angler participation is essential to ensure accurate data collection and sustainable management of California's marine recreational fisheries.

CRFS Data

CRFS sample data and estimates are available for viewing and download through the Recreational Fisheries Information Network (RecFIN), which is operated by Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC). The RecFIN database was established in 1992 and was designed to integrate multiple state and federal sampling efforts into a single database available online in a user-friendly format. This data is available to biologists and researchers, fishery managers, anglers, and the general public.

Note: Due to different survey methods, CRFS and MRFSS estimates are not directly comparable.

CRFS Sampler Manual

The CRFS Sampler Manual (PDF) provides an explanation of the principles and goal of CRFS, detailed instructions regarding sampling procedures and protocols, and the proper coding of all forms. The manual describes the history of the survey, general information, methods, the roles and responsibilities of supervisors, leads, and samplers, and much more.

Flyers and Brochures

CRFS samplers are often a good source of information about fishery management issues. The following informational publications and others are often available through CRFS samplers.

Other CRFS-Related Information and Resources

Contact

California has been divided into six geographic areas or districts for CRFS. The location of fishery management boundaries, distance recreational boats typically travel from major ports and county lines were taken into account when establishing district boundaries.

  • CRFS Statewide Coordination
    Senior Environmental Scientist Specialist: Ryan Denton
    1933 Cliff Drive, #9, Santa Barbara, CA 93109
    (562) 342-7115
  • District 1 – Southern District: Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties
    Environmental Scientist: Otis Horning
    2451 Signal St, Berth 57, San Pedro, CA 90731
    (562) 342-7174
  • District 2 – Channel District: Santa Barbara and Ventura counties
  • Environmental Scientist: Tiffany Miller
    2451 Signal St, Berth 57, San Pedro, CA 90731
    (562) 342-7128
  • District 3 – Central District: Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties
    Environmental Scientist: Jayna Schaaf-DaSilva
    20 Lower Ragsdale Dr., Suite 100, Monterey, CA 93940
    (831) 649-7196
  • District 4 – San Francisco District: Sonoma, Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties on the coast and the eight counties surrounding San Francisco and San Pablo Bays (Alameda, Contra Costa, Solano, Sonoma, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties)
    Environmental Scientist: Jared Worland
    1123 Industrial Road, Suite 300, San Carlos, CA 94070
    (707) 672-3410
  • District 5-6 – Wine and Redwood Districts: Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino counties
    Environmental Scientist: Ed Roberts
    619 2nd Street, Eureka, CA 95501
    (707) 441-5757

Marine Region (Region 7)
Regional Manager: Dr. Craig Shuman
Main Office: 20 Lower Ragsdale Drive, Suite 100, Monterey, CA  93940
Email CDFW's Marine Region  |  (831) 649-2870
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