Survey on the Socio-Economic Aspects of Commercial Fishi

OMB Control No. 0648-xxxx
Expiration Date: xx/xx/xxxx

Survey on the Socio-economic Aspects of
Commercial Fishing Crew in the
Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

Public reporting burden for this collection of information 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 suggestions for reducing this burden to Matthew
McPherson, NOAA Line office, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA, 02543-1026.
Responses to this information request are confidential under section 402(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act as amended in 2006. Responses are also confidential under NOAA Administrative Order 216-100, which sets forth procedures to protect confidentiality of fishery statistics. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subjected
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.

In the following questions, please tell us about your fishing in 2010. The information you provide will
remain strictly confidential and you will not be identified with your answers.
1. What is your primary fishery? (Please circle one)

1. Black Sea Bass
2. Herring
3. Lobster
4. Mackerel
5. Monkfish
6. Multispecies, sectors
7. Multispecies, common pool
8. Red Crab
9. Scallop, general category IFQ
10. Scallop, general category non-IFQ
11. Scallop, limited access

12. Scup
13. Skate
14. Spiny Dogfish
15. Squid, Illex
16. Squid, Loligo
17. Summer Flounder
18. Surf Clam/Ocean Quahog
19. Tilefish
20. Other ____________________________

2. Why do you consider it to be your primary fishery? (Please circle one)

1. I earn the most revenue from this fishery
2. I spend the most time in this fishery
3. It is the fishery I most want to continue in
4. Other (please state)____________________________

3. What port did you primarily work out of in 2010?

Port___________________ State ______________

4. In the table below, please list all major activities (including investments) that you earned income from

in 2010, including fishing, starting with the most important. Estimate the percentage that each

contributed to your total household income.

Activity
% Household Income
Most important
Second most important
Third most important
Fourth most important

Within your primary fishery, consider the vessel you worked on the most in 2010. Please answer the
following questions based on your fishing activities on that primary vessel.

5. In what port did your vessel usually moor between fishing trips during 2010?

Port___________________ State ______________

6. What was the main port of landing for that vessel in 2010?

Port___________________ State ______________

7. How many days did a typical trip last before returning to port?

_____________________Days

8. What was the average size of the crew in 2010 (including the captain)?

_________________ Members

9. How many hours per day did you usually work while on a fishing trip?

_________________ Hours

10. Are any members of your family (for example, parents, children, siblings, uncles/aunts, cousins, in-

laws) involved in commercial fishing or other fishing-related activities (for example, book-keeping,

provisioning the vessel, marketing)?

1. YES
2. NO

Please think about the expenditures for your primary fishery in your primary vessel. Please tell us about
how revenues and expenses are distributed amongst crew.
11. For your vessel in 2010, which best describes how the crew were paid:

1. A share system (revenues and expenses were shared between the vessel owner and crew)
2. Per-trip
3. Hourly wage
4. Other ________________

If your answer to Question #11 was “1. A share system” please continue to Question 12. If not, please
go to Question 15.

12. For share systems, what were the typical percentages distributed to the boat, captain and crew?

_____ % Boat (owner) share
_____ % Captain share
_____ % Crew share
100 %

13. For share systems, which trip expenses were usually deducted? (Please check all that apply)

Fuel

Unloading fees

Water

Settlement fees

Oil/lubrication

Ice

Lost/damaged gear

Electronics

Fishing quota or days-at-sea

Cell phone

Food

General fishing supplies (hooks, bags, totes, gloves, etc.)

Bait

Other ____________________

14. How were the expenses for each trip deducted?

1. Expenses were deducted from gross sales (total) and the remainder were split between the
boat and crew
2. Expenses were deducted from the crew’s share after the gross sales (total) were divided

between boat and crew
3. Expenses were deducted from the boat’s share after the gross sales (total) were divided
between boat and crew
4. Not applicable

15. What was your position on the vessel in 2010? (Please circle all that apply)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Captain
Deck hand
Engine mechanic
Cook
Other____________

16. If you were the captain, did you have anyone from your immediate family help you with your duties

(such as provisioning the vessel, selling the catch, etc.)?

1. YES

2. NO

17. What was the first crew position you ever had when you began fishing (for example cook, mechanic,

deckhand, electrician)?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

18. What were your duties on the vessel you worked on in 2010?

_____________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

19. How were you hired for the vessel you worked on in 2010? (Please circle one)

1. Word of mouth

2. Referred by a friend

3. Related to owner

4. Previous work with the same vessel

5. Advertisement

6. Other _____________________
20. How difficult was it to find employment on a vessel in 2010?

1. Very easy

2. Easy

3. Neither easy nor difficult

4. Difficult

5. Very difficult
21. How many consecutive years have you worked on your vessel?

_____________________________ Years

22. How many different vessel owners did you work for in 2010?

______________________________ Vessel owners

In the following questions, please tell us how you feel about the process of fisheries management
23. Have you ever participated in any aspect of federal fisheries management (such as attending

meetings, writing letters, or serving on a committee)?

1. YES
2. NO

If no, please tell us why____________________________________________________________________________________________

(If YES, Continue with Question #24, below)
(If NO, Go to Question #25, below)

Str
agrongl
ee y

Ag

ree

utr
al

Ne

a. Commercial fishermen have been effectively integrated into
fisheries management decisions...................................
b. I feel like fisheries managers are serious about involving
commercial fishermen in the process of fisheries management
c. I do not feel welcome in public meetings about fisheries
management.................................................................
d. I feel like my opinions on fishing issues would be taken seriously
if I chose to voice them in a formal setting..................
e. I do not trust the managing authorities to make the right decision
when it comes to regulating fisheries...........................

Str
o
dis ngly
agr
ee
Dis
agr
ee

24. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements regarding
the most recent federal government-led fisheries management process you participated in. (Please
circle one number for each item).

1

2

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4

5

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Ag

ree

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Str
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utr
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1

Ne

a. I did not believe the information the people in charge of
the process presented....................................................
b. The people in charge of the process were not equally
fair to everyone involved..............................................
c. I had the right to appeal decisions that were being made that I
thought were unfair......................................................
d. I had no opportunity to correct information that I thought was
inaccurate.....................................................................
e. I had the opportunity to add new information that was relevant
to the decision making process.....................................
f. I felt like the opinions of commercial fishermen were not taken
seriously.......................................................................

Str
o
dis ngly
agr
ee
Dis
agr
ee

25. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements concerning the
federal government’s role in creating the regulations that govern your primary fishery. (Please circle
one number for each item).

5

In the following questions, please tell us how you feel about the regulations in your primary fishery
26. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements regarding

Ag
ree

Ne
u

a. Information about the rules and regulations that govern my
primary fishery is easy to find .....................................
b. The rules and regulations are easy to follow......................
c. The rules and regulations change so quickly it is hard to
keep up.........................................................................
d. We are told about any changes to the rules and regulations
in plenty of time to be able to make any necessary
adjustments...................................................................
e. The fines that are associated with breaking the rules and
regulations of my primary fishery are fair....................
f. I understand the rules and regulations in my primary
fishery...........................................................................
g. I feel that the regulations in my primary fishery are too
restrictive......................................................................
h. Although I agree with most of the regulations in my
primary fishery, I think some of them are unfair..........

Str
agrongl
ee y

l

tra

Str
o
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agr
ee
Dis
agr
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the rules and regulations in your primary fishery. (Please circle one number for each item).

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27. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements regarding

Str
agrongl
ee y

ree

Ag

a. Opportunities for existing fishermen should not be
reduced by new entrants...............................................
b. Management should aim to maximize the possible
number of fishermen.....................................................
c. Fishing areas should belong to the fishermen who use
them and should be off limits to others........................
d. Management can change quickly when conditions
(income, stock levels, safety) change...........................
e. I think the goals of the management plan for my primary
fishery are being met....................................................
f. I think the management plan for my primary fishery helps
protect the number of fish.............................................
g. In my primary fishery, I am able to fish when I want.........
h. In my primary fishery, I am able to fish where I want........

Ne

utr
al

Str
o
dis ngly
agr
ee
Dis
agr
ee

the management of your primary fishery. (Please circle one number for each item).

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28. For your primary fishery please indicate if you think the current levels of each of the following items

are high, medium or low. (Please circle one number for each item).

a. Level of bycatch (catch of non-target species) ..................
b. Level of discards (catch of target or non-target

species that is thrown overboard)......................................
c. Level of highgrading (low value fish thrown overboard
in order to keep higher value fish)......................................

HIGH

MEDIUM

LOW

HIGH

MEDIUM

LOW

HIGH

MEDIUM

LOW

29. For your primary fishery please indicate the extent to which you think each of the following items is

a. Level of bycatch (catch of non-target species) ..................
b. Level of discards (catch of target or non-target

species that is thrown overboard)......................................
c. Level of highgrading (low value fish thrown overboard
in order to keep higher value fish)......................................

S
incignif
rea ican
sin tly
g

No
t

Inc
rea
s

cha

ing

ng
ing

increasing, decreseasing or staying the same (Please circle one number for each item).
Sig
de nific
cre an
asi tly
ng
De
cre
asi
ng

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30. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements about

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31. Did you or members of your family have health insurance in 2010?

1. YES
(If YES, Continue with Question #32, below)

2. NO
(If NO, Go to Question #34, on the next page)
32. If YES, does this health insurance cover (please check all that apply)
a. Yourself
b. Your spouse or another adult
c. Your or your spouse’s children

Str
agrongl
ee y

Ag

1

In the following questions, please tell us about any insurance you may have

ree

utr
al

Ne

a. Fishermen have a responsibility to participate in the
fisheries management process......................................
b. I make every effort to ensure my actions do not harm the
fishery unnecessarily....................................................
c. The ocean is very large, there is no way we can over fish it
d. The natural environment is important to me because
that is how I make my living........................................
e. The ocean is big enough to replenish itself.........................

Str
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the responsibilities fishermen have. (Please circle one number for each item).

YES
YES
YES

NO
NO
NO

33. Where do you get your insurance coverage from?

1. Spouse’s place of employment
2. Own private insurance
3. Federal or State insurance program
4. Other
In the following section, we are interested in commercial fishing as a lifestyle and how satisfied you are
with that lifestyle

34. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements about

Ag
ree

Ne
u

a. I feel like I am a leader in my local community.................
b. I feel like I am a leader in my primary fishery....................
c. I am proud to identify myself as a fishermen......................
d. I feel a strong connection to other fishermen in the
community....................................................................
e. I feel a weak connection to other fishermen in my
primary fishery.............................................................
f. I enjoy fishing.....................................................................
g. Fishing is just a job to me...................................................
h. Leaving the fishing industry is something that I have
considered.....................................................................
i. I want to continue fishing but only part-time......................

Str
agrongl
ee y

l

tra

Str
o
dis ngly
agr
ee
Dis
agr
ee

fishing as a career. (Please circle one number for each item).

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35. Would you advise a young person to enter fishing?

1. YES
2. NO

WHY?___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

36. Would you still be a commercial fisherman if you had your life to live over?

1. YES

2. NO
WHY?___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ex
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dis reme
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ith
o r er
dis sat
sat isfi
isf ed
ied
So
me
sat wh
isf at
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Ex
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sat reme
isf ly
ied

37. How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the following items relating to the job of fishing? (Please
circle one number for each item).

a. Your actual earnings...........................................................
b. The predictability of your earnings.....................................
c. Job safety............................................................................
d. The amount of time spent away from home.......................
e. Physical fatigue of the job..................................................
f. Healthfulness of the job......................................................
g. Adventure of the job...........................................................
h. Challenge of the job............................................................
i. Opportunity to be your own boss........................................
j. The overall health of the marine environment....................

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a. Your life..............................................................................
b Your physical health...........................................................

Ex
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dis reme
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Ne
ith
or er
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sat isfi
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So
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Ex
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sat reme
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38. In general, how satisfied are you with the following items? (Please circle one number for each item)

1
1

2
2

3
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4
4

5
5

39. How often do you feel happy?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Never
Not often
Neutral
Often
All the time

The following questions will help us improve our understanding of commercial fishermen. The information
you provide us will remain strictly confidential. Your name will never be associated with your answers
40. How old you are?

___________ Years

41. Which racial category best describes you? (please circle all the apply)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

American Indian or Alaskan Native
Asian
Black or African American
Hispanic or Latino
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
White
Some other race (alone)

42. What is your ancestry or ethnic origin? (For example: Norwegian, Portuguese, Polish, Brazilian etc)

________________________________________________

43. What is the primary language you speak at home?

_________________________________________

44. Where were you born?

1. In the United States - print the name of the State _________________

2. Outside the United States - print the name of the foreign country _____________________

45. Where did you live in 2010?

_______________________ Town
________________ State

46. What was your marital status in 2010?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
Single
Living with a partner

47. How many people lived in your primary household in 2010?

_______________________ Adults and _______________________ children under 18

48. How many years have you been involved in commercial fishing?

_______________________ Years

49. How many generations of your family have fished commercially including yourself?

_______________________ Generations

50. Which category best describes the highest level of education that you have completed?

1. Did not complete high school
2. High school diploma/equivalency
3. Associate’s/ two year degree
4. Bachelor’s/ four year degree
5. Graduate degree

_________________ Grade completed

51. Which of the following categories best describes your annual fishing income in 2010?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Under $5,000
$5,000 to $9,999
$10,000 to $14,999
$15,000 to $19,999
$20,000 to $24,999
$25,000 to $29,999
$30,000 to $34,999
$35,000 to $39,999

9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

$40,000 to $44,999
$45,000 to $49,999
$50,000 to $59,999
$60,000 to $74,999
$75,000 to $99,999
$100,000 to $149,999
$150,000 or More

Is there anything else about commercial fishing or this questionnaire you would like to share with us?
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Your contribution to this effort is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Please direct all inquiries to:
Matthew McPherson
NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service
Northeast Fisheries Science Center
166 Water Street
Woods Hole, MA 02543-1026 (Tel: 508-495-2000)