Annaul Processed Products Report

STANDARD MAIL SURVEY LETTER EXAMPLE

Dear Processor:
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) conducts an annual survey of all seafood
processors that operate in the United States. Your firm has been identified as participating in
this industry. Please take the necessary time to complete the enclosed form and return it in the
enclosed envelope.
This is the only comprehensive survey of the U.S. seafood processing industry and is the source
of all regional and national statistics describing this portion of the industry. Reports generated
from these statistics include the NMFS’ “Fisheries of the United States” and the United
Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's yearbook, “Fishery Statistics-Commodities.”
The data you provide are also used for calculating annual United States seafood consumption,
for determining the value added margins and consumer expenditures related to commercial
fisheries, and in the assessment of the impacts of changes in fishery management plans. The
NMFS Trade Office and the International Trade Commission use the data in multilateral trade
negotiations and tariff studies. Industry trade organizations and members of the industrial and
financial communities use the data to make business decisions affecting the fishing and seafood
industries.
Please be assured that all information regarding production and employment of individual firms
is maintained in a confidential manner pursuant to NOAA Administrative Order 216-100.
The instructions on the reverse are provided to assist you in completely and accurately preparing
the forms. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact Alan Lowther at
National Marine Fisheries Service, Fisheries Statistics Division F/ST1, 1315 East-West Hwy,
Silver Spring, MD 20910 or call (301) 713-2328.
Sincerely,

Your Regional Director

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE FORM
1. Check your company name, mailing address, and phone/fax numbers. If your plant address
differs from your mail address please fill in the appropriate information. Make any necessary
corrections that you find in error.
2. In the upper right hand corner indicate the type of business you operate.
3. In the box to the right of your address is the employment section. Enter by month the number of
persons which worked at the establishment during the payroll period that included the 12th of the
month. Do not forget to include yourself.
4. Directly beneath the employment section, please print or type the name and telephone number of
the person who prepared the report so that we will know who to contact if we have any questions.
It is not necessary to sign the form.
5. The next several sections are for processing aspects of the plant. "Processing" means anything
done to the product to increase its economic value. This would include, but is not limited to,
filleting, steaking, surimi or analog production, shucking, cooking, removing the roe, or otherwise
preparing the product. If the products already listed on the form are correct, please fill in the
appropriate finished product volume and FOB plant values. Plant value is the amount that the
processor receives for the finished product. For products finished but not yet sold (still held in
inventory), calculate the estimated value using the average price received to date for that product.
6. Processors of canned products, please be sure to include the ounces per can, cans per case, and
number of cases instead of weight. If the information is already included on the form, please check it
for accuracy.
7. List any NEW products in the appropriate section with volume and values. If a product no longer
applies, just draw a line through it.
8. We recommend that you make a copy of the completed survey for your files. A pre-addressed
envelope is enclosed for your convenience in returning the form to this office.
9. If you have any questions, call the Fisheries Statistics Division at: (301) 713-2328.
Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information,
including suggestions for reducing this burden, to:
National Marine Fisheries Service
Fisheries Statistics Division F/ST1
1315 East-West Hwy.
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty
for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that
collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.