The atlantic coastal cooperative statistics program (ACCSP) was established in 1995 to design, implement, and conduct marine fisheries statistics data collection programs and to integrate those data…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission $3,353,271 under the Fisheries Data Program (CFDA 11.437) on August 1, 2026, to support marine fisheries data collection and analysis systems serving Atlantic Coast fisheries management.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission operates the Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program (ACCSP), a state-federal partnership established in 1995 comprising 15 Atlantic Coast states, the District of Columbia, two federal fisheries agencies (NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service and Interior's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), three regional fisheries management councils, the Potomac River Fisheries Commission, and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission itself. Through ACCSP, the Commission designs, implements, and operates marine fisheries statistics data collection programs, integrating collected data into a unified management system that serves fishery managers, scientists, and the public. The program establishes and maintains data collection standards and provides applications and systems that incorporate state and federal data, ensuring availability of statistics for fisheries management decision-making.

Performance occurs in Arlington, Virginia, with a period of performance extending from August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2030. The Fisheries Data Program supports state agencies in enhancing data collection and analysis systems to address coast-wide and insular area fisheries management needs, prioritizing projects that provide Fishery Management Councils with timely information required for fishery management plan implementation. Funding for years beyond the first is contingent on available program funds and satisfactory recipient performance.

The atlantic coastal cooperative statistics program (ACCSP) was established in 1995 to design, implement, and conduct marine fisheries statistics data collection programs and to integrate those data into a single data management system that will meet the needs of fishery managers, scientists, and the public. Over the years, ACCSP has become an integral part of state/federal coordination with respect to data collection and dissemination. ACCSP staff also facilitate projects to ensure efficiency in data flows and, thus, minimize additional burden to industry. The ACCSP is a state-federal cooperative partnership between twenty-three entities responsible for fisheries management and fisheries data collection on the atlantic coast: the 15 atlantic coast states and the district of columbia, two federal fisheries agencies (commerce's national marine fisheries service and interior's U.S. Fish and wildlife service), three regional fisheries management councils (new england, mid-atlantic and south atlantic), the potomac river fisheries commission, and the atlantic states marine fisheries commission (ASMFC). Partner agencies are listed in the ACCSP memorandum of understanding. By establishing and maintaining data collection standards and providing data collection applications and data management systems that incorporate state and federal data, ACCSP ensures that the best available statistics can be used for fisheries management.