The georgia department of natural resources (GADNR) will conduct a monitoring effort to precisely characterize discards from charter reef fish trips off the coast of georgia

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR) is awarded a $300,000 Cooperative Agreement under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Unallied Science Program (CFDA 11.472) to conduct a monitoring effort to precisely characterize discards from charter reef fish trips off the coast of Georgia. The project, developed in collaboration with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF), will have experienced fisheries staff act as observers on fishing trips to record detailed data on fishing locations, times, depths, discard types, treatment, disposition, and size. The data collected will complement Florida's ongoing at-sea for-hire survey and contribute to the optimal management of marine ecosystems through improved understanding of fishery and protected marine resources. The award period runs from Mar 1, 2025 to Feb 29, 2028.

Experienced fisheries staff will act as observers onboard fishing trips to record detailed data on fishing locations, times, depths, discard type, treatment, disposition, and size. This proposal was developed in collaboration with the south carolina department of natural resources (SCDNR) and the north carolina division of marine fisheries (NCDMF). The data collected as part of these three programs will complement floridas ongoing at-sea for-hire survey.