Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program 2004 - 2008 Implementation Plan (Approved March 9, 2004)

Upon approval of the Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program (ACCSP) 2002-2006 Strategic Plan, which outlines the Program's goals and strategies for implementation of its standards for fisheries data collection and management, the Coordinating Council recognized additional needs. Given that needs are projected to exceed resources, a more specific plan to address partner status and more detailed tasks is required. This ACCSP 2004-2008 Implementation Plan outlines actions the ACCSP partners and program staff must take to implement a coast-wide program over the next five years.The ACCSP is a cooperative state-federal program 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 fishermen. In 1995, representatives from 23 coastal resource agencies along the Atlantic coast signed a Memorandum of Understanding to become partners in the ACCSP. The partners are now implementing the ACCSP's standards within their respective areas. A small ACCSP staff provides coordination for planning and program implementation and operates the central data management system