ACCSP: Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program

The Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program (ACCSP) was established in 1995 as one of five regional Fisheries Information Networks (FINs) to address the issues of inconsistent temporal and spatial coverage and dataset compatibility by standardizing and centralizing fisheries-dependent data collection and data management along the Atlantic coast. FINs are collaborative state-federal programs that supply dependable and timely marine fisheries data in their respective regions. ACCSP is part of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and is composed of representatives from marine fisheries management agencies coastwide, including the Commission, the 3 Atlantic coast fishery management councils, the 15 Atlantic states, Potomac River Fisheries Commission (PRFC), D.C. Fisheries and Wildlife Division, NOAA Fisheries, and US Fish and Wildlife Service. ACCSP plays a critical role in supporting effective resource management through its efforts to standardize data collection and dissemination across jurisdictions and to efficiently provide Atlantic coast data to the state, regional, and national data systems.