Mobile Application, Web Application, Public Website

A cross-platform mobile app will be developed and maintained for Android and iOS.
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​A desktop web application will be developed to allow for additional features, edits of mobile captures and trip times, viewing of larger datasets, additional data filters as well as providing master logs and reporting functionality for program administrators.
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​A public website will be designed to bring awareness to the program and to allow new user sign up.

Environmental Data

Linking capture data to atmospheric and hydrological data during a particular trip (date, time and location) will allow anglers to maintain personal fishing logs and allows fisheries managers to link catch with environmental conditions. User photos and the platform automatically collect location information from the user's phone and link it with environmental data (i.e. salinity, water depth, air temperature, etc). This allows users to maintain detailed fishing logs that document the environmental conditions that may have influenced catch, allowing for better planning for future trips. This new data source will allow managers to more precisely project landings based on forecasted environmental conditions.

Identification of Species

We will produce an add-on extension that will automatically identify fish to the species level. Many Gulf of Mexico fish are relatively simply to identify (i.e. Red Drum), whereas others like snapper and grouper can be challenging and accurate identification is critical for catch limits and quotas. This add-on extension would greatly benefit anglers and researchers.

Real-Time Biological and Effort Data

As a bonus, the App will help anglers understand why and how they caught fish. Easy to read reports provide every available condition. Each uploaded image creates a log containing the photo, time and location information, and a host of other data points specific to the catch. 

Why is this important? Two reasons: angler engagement and the ability to manage fisheries in real-time taking into account winds, storms, fronts and other conditions that affect anglers' ability to get to the fish.

Communicating Real-Time

Anglers can see what others using the app are catching and can stay in touch with fellow users, exchanging information about weather conditions, tides and what baits and techniques are working best. The app can also update users about changes in seasons, in season closures and how close the state is to reaching its season quota.

Training

In order to obtain a new ROLP or renew it one must complete training (online) video annually. New training can be pushed out anytime. Online testing, continuing education.

Enforcement

While the program is voluntary, enforcement would consist of training, education and ownership. As a mandatory self-reporting program, enforcement is the single most important component. There has to be a real deterrent to falsifying or non-reporting data.