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 Vessel Owners 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 are the top three species of fish you targeted during 2010, and what was your primary gear for
each?

Species

1. _____________________________________
2. _____________________________________
3. _____________________________________

Primary gear used

2. 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 ____________________________

3. 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)____________________________

4. How many commercial fishing vessels do you own by yourself? __________ Vessel(s)

5. How many commercial vessels do you own with other people? __________ Vessel(s)
6. How many commercial vessels did you purchase or sell during 2010?

1. Number of commercial vessels that you own yourself that you sold ________ Vessel(s)
2. Number of group-owned commercial vessels that you sold your interest in ________Vessel(s)
3. Number of commercial vessels that you purchased by yourself ________ Vessel(s)
4. Number of commercial vessels that you purchased an interest in ________ Vessel(s)

7. 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.
Most important
Second most important
Third most important
Fourth most important

Activity

% Household Income

8. Was the level of fishing income in 2010 enough to sustain your fishing business over the following time
frames? (Please circle one response for each time period)

1. Short Term
2. Medium Term
3. Long Term

YES
YES
YES

NO
NO
NO

Please think about your fishing business and answer the following questions about your family’s
involvement
9. 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

(If YES, Continue with Question #10, below)
(If NO, Go to Question #15, below)

10. How many members of your family are involved in commercial fishing on your vessel?

____________ Family members

(If the answer is NONE, go to Question #12, below)

11. For these family members, how has their level of involvement changed in the last year?

1. Increased
2. Remained the same
3. Decreased

12. How many members of your family are involved in other fishing-related activities that support your
fishing business (refer to categories in question 9)?

____________ Family members

(If the answer is NONE, go to Question #13, below)

13. For these family members, how do you think their level of involvement has changed in the last year?

1. Increased
2. Remained the same
3. Decreased.

14. How many members of your family are involved in commercial fishing or fishing-related businesses
other than your own?

____________ Family members

Please answer the following questions based on your fishing activities on your primary vessel in your
primary fishery.
15. In what port did you usually moor your vessel between fishing trips during 2010?

Port___________________ State ______________

16. What was your primary port of landing in 2010?

Port___________________ State ______________

17. Which of the following factors contributed the most to your decision regarding the amount of
time to spend fishing using your vessel during 2010?

Personal preference
Regulations on days-at-sea
Quota limitations
Physical conditions of vessel or gear
Limitations due to weather
Price of fish
Other ______________________

18. 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 #18 was “1. A share system” please continue to Question #19. If not, please
go to Question #22.

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

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

20. 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 ____________________

21. 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

22. Was the vessel owner-operated or was a captain hired in 2010?

1. Owner-operated
2. Hired captain

23. What was the average size of the crew in 2010 for your vessel (include the captain, or include yourself

if your vessel is owner-operated)?

_________________ Members

24. Did you hire any new crew previously not employed by you for your vessel in 2010? If so how many?

_________________ Members

In the following questions, please tell us how you feel about the amount of fish you are allowed to catch

25. Did you purchase or lease additional quota in 2010 for your primary vessel in your primary fishery?

(Please circle one)

1. YES
2. NO
3. Not an option in my fishery

(If YES, Continue with Question #26, below)
(If NO, Go to Question #29, below)
(Go to Question #30, below)

26. Do you feel the price you paid for quota was

1. Too high
2. Too low
3. About right

27. Please indicate below what factors, other than cost, influenced your ability to purchase quota in
2010?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

28. Other than price considerations how difficult was it for you to obtain that quota?

1. Very easy
2. Easy
3. Neither difficult nor easy
4. Difficult
5. Very difficult

29. If you did not purchase or lease additional quota in 2010, why not? (If you purchased quota please
go to Question 30, below)

1. No need
2. Too expensive
3. No sellers
4. Other ________________________________________________________________________

30. In terms of lease and share prices, how difficult is it for new people to enter your primary fishery?

1. Very easy

2. Easy

3. Neither easy nor difficult

4. Difficult

5. Very difficult

31. 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

32. 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

Inc

t ch

rea
s

an

ing

gin

g

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

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

In the following questions, please tell us how you feel about fisheries management.
33. 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
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

In the following questions, please tell us how you feel about the regulations in your primary fishery.
34. 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. The rules and regulations in place during 2010 in my
primary fishery caused my fishing costs to increase....
g. I understand the rules and regulations in my primary
fishery...........................................................................
h. I feel that the regulations in my primary fishery are too
restrictive......................................................................
i. Although I agree with most of the regulations in my
primary fishery, I think some of them are unfair..........
j. Over the next five years, I expect the rules and regulations
in my primary fishery to cause my fishing costs to
increase.........................................................................

Str
agrongl
ee y

l

tra

Str
o
dis ngly
agr
ee
Dis
agr
ee

the rules and regulations in your primary fishery. (Please circle one number for each item).

1
1

2
2

3
3

4
4

5
5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

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1

2

3

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5

1

2

3

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5

1

2

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5

1

2

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4

5

35. 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).

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

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1
1
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3
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4
4
4

5
5
5

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

36. Did you or members of your family have health insurance in 2010? (Please circle one)

1. YES
(If YES, Continue with Question #36, below)

2. NO
(If NO, Go to Question #38, below)
37. If YES, does this health insurance cover (please check all that apply)

a. Yourself

YES

NO

b. Your spouse or another adult

YES

NO

c. Your or your spouse’s children

YES

NO

38. 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

39. Did you have hull insurance in 2010?

1. YES
2. NO

40. Did you have liability insurance (protection and indemnity insurance) for your crew in 2010?

1. YES
2. NO
In the following section, we are interested in commercial fishing as a lifestyle and how satisfied you are
with that lifestyle

a. Your actual earnings...........................................................
b. The amount of time spent away from home.......................
c. Adventure of the job...........................................................

Ex
t
dis reme
sat ly
isf
ied
So
me
dis wh
sat at
isf
ied
Ne
ith
or er
dis sat
sat isfi
isf ed
ied
So
me
sat wh
isf at
ied
Ex
t
sat reme
isf ly
ied

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

1
1
1

2
2
2

3
3
3

4
4
4

5
5
5

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

Ag
ree

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......................

Ne
u

3
3
3

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).

1
1
1

2
2
2

4
4
4

5
5
5

1

2

3

4

5

1
1
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1
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5
5

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

1. YES
2. NO

WHY?___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

1. YES
2. NO

WHY?___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

45. In 2010, did you regularly fish alone with or with a group of vessels?

1. Alone
(Please continue to Question #45, below)
2. A group of vessels
(Please go to Question #46, below)

46. If your answer to Question 44 was with “a group of vessels” is it typically the same group of vessels?

1. YES
2. NO

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
47. How old you are?

___________ Years

48. Which racial category best describes you? (Please circle one or more)

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

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

49. Would you classify yourself as Spanish/Hispanic/Latino? (please circle one)

1. Spanish/Hispanic/Latino
2. Not Spanish/Hispanic/Latino

50. What is your ancestry? _____________________________ (For example: Norwegian, Portuguese, Polish etc)
51. What is the primary language you speak at home?

_________________________________________

52. 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 _____________
53. Where did you live in 2010?

_______________________ Town

_________________ State

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

_______________________ Adults and _______________________ children under 18

55. What was your marital status in 2010?

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

Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
Single
Living with a partner

56. How many years have you been involved in commercial fishing? _______________________ Years
57. How many generations of your family have fished commercially including yourself?

_______________________ Generations
58. 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

Is there anything else about commercial fishing or this questionnaire you would like to share with us?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Your contribution to this effort is greatly appreciated. Please return your completed questionnaire in the
postage-paid envelope as soon as possible. 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)

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