Telephone follow-up

TELEPHONE FOLLOW-UP
Hello, my name is ________________ and I am calling from Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
in Portland, Oregon, on behalf of National Marine Fisheries Service’s Alaska Fisheries Science Center. I
am trying to reach [name on address].
[IF NOT AVAILABLE] Thank you, I will call back later. When would be a good time to reach
[name on address]?
[IF QUALIFIED RESPONDENT IS ON THE PHONE]
QA

Recently, we mailed you a questionnaire asking you about your charter business structure, costs
and revenue. The survey had a picture of charter boats on the cover and was titled the Alaska
Charter Boat Sport Fishing Cost and Earnings Survey. Do you remember receiving that
questionnaire?
1 YES
2 NO [SKIP TO QA2]

QA1

As of today, we have not received your completed questionnaire. As a member of the charter
fishing industry in Alaska, you are probably aware of the smaller number of charter operators that
remain in operation in Alaska and their importance to local economies. As one of the remaining
operators, your response is very important, and we would greatly appreciate it if you would
participate in the survey. The online version of the survey is most convenient for computer users–
would it be possible for you to complete the online survey in the next week?
1 YES [SKIP TO VERIFY 1]
2 NO TO INTERNET [SKIP TO QA3]
3 NO TO SURVEY [SKIP TO QB]
4 SURVEY HAS ALREADY BEEN RETURNED [THANK YOU, SKIP TO CONTINUE]

QA2

We are collecting information about saltwater charter businesses like yours to help the federal
government better assess the economic effects of management and regulatory actions (currently
in place or potential) on Alaska charter boat fishing businesses and the communities in which
they operate. Your input is very important since if too few people respond, the results of the
analysis cannot pass scientific standards, and thus will not be used to inform decision makers on
the charter boat sector and how it may be affected by their decisions. The online version of the
survey is most convenient for computer users – would it be possible for you to complete the
online survey in the next week?

1 YES [SKIP TO VERIFY 1]
2 NO TO INTERNET [SKIP TO QA3]
3 NO TO SURVEY [SKIP TO QB]
4 SURVEY HAS ALREADY BEEN RETURNED [THANK YOU, SKIP TO CONTINUE]
QA3

Okay, If we send you another survey, could you find the time to complete the survey and return it
to us by mail within a week of receiving it?

1 YES – [SKIP TO VERIFY 2]
3 NO - [SKIP TO QB]

VERIFY 1: (If they indicate they’ll take survey online)
To ensure the security of information provided in the online survey, we included a user id and
password to access our website in the survey packet we sent you in April. For your convenience I
can email your id, a new password, and the web address for the survey if you don’t still have it. Is
your email address [GIVE EMAIL ADDRESS ON FILE]?
1. YES, BUT DON’T NEED NEW PASSWORD[SKIP TO CONTINUE]
2. YES, SEND NEW PASSWORD [FLAG FOR RESET]
3. NO [RECORD NEW EMAIL ADDRESS and FLAG FOR RESET]
Thank you, I will email you the information today. [GO TO CONTINUE]

VERIFY 2 (If new survey needs to be sent)
I would like to verify the address for [name of business] as…
STREET ADDRESS_________________________________________
CITY__________________________STATE _______ ZIP__________
PHONE___________________________________________________
Is this correct?
1- NO – [RECORD NEW ADDRESS.]
2- YES
Okay, I will send another questionnaire out today. [GO TO CONTINUE]

CONTINUE (If they indicate survey has been or will be returned)
Thanks for your participation. [GO TO QB]

QB

It is very important for our analysis that we understand how those who haven’t returned the
survey compare to those who did. This way we will not misinterpret the results. Could I take
about 5 minutes to ask you a few questions that will help us with our work? I’d like to remind you
that all of your answers are confidential and your name will not be revealed to anyone.
1
2

YES [SKIP TO Q1]
NO [ASK FOR A MORE CONVENIENT TIME, OTHERWISE, THANK AND TERMINATE]

CHARTER BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Q1

Which of the following business structures best describes your business? Check the best answer.
1
2
3
4
5

Q2

C Corporation
Sole proprietorship
Limited liability partnership (LLP), Limited liability company (LLC), or S corporation
Other
Don’t know

Do you plan on operating this charter business in 2012?
1
2

YES [SKIP TO Q3]
NO [GO ON TO Q2a]
Q2a Why are you not going to operate in 2012? (indicate all that apply)
1
2
3
4

The business isn’t profitable.
Regulatory requirements are too stringent.
Reporting requirements are too stringent.
I’m retiring.

[After Q2a is answered, skip to Q4]
Q3

Do you plan to change your business model in any way, for example, by changing the types of
fishing trips you offer or adding other services besides guided fishing?
1
2

YES [GO ON TO Q3a]
NO [GO ON TO Q4]
Q3a How do you expect to change your business model? (Indicate any that apply)
1 I will not offer trips to fish for halibut any more or offer fewer trips for halibut.
2 I plan to offer more non-fishing trips.
3 I plan to offer trips to fish for multiple species in the same trip.

Q4

Does your business offer trips only in saltwater, only in freshwater or do you offer trips in both
saltwater and freshwater?
1
2
3

Only saltwater
Only freshwater
Both saltwater and freshwater

Q5

During 2011, about what percentage of your total annual household income was earned from your
charter business?
1
2
3
4

Q6

0-25%
26-50%
51-75%
75-100%

Which of the following best describes what you did during the 2010-11 off-season? Check all
that apply.








I continued work related to your charter business, including travel outside of Alaska
I worked in Alaska in a fishing-related job not related to your charter business
I worked in Alaska in a non-fishing related job
I lived in Alaska, but do not work
I worked outside of Alaska in a fishing-related job not related to your charter business
I worked outside of Alaska in a non-fishing related job
I lived outside of Alaska, but did not work

[IF RETURNING SURVEY] Thank you, this will help with our preliminary analysis. Receiving your
completed survey will greatly help improve our understanding of charter business operations in Alaska.
Thanks again, and have a good evening.
[IF NOT RETURNING QUESTIONNAIRE] That’s all the questions I have for you. Do you have any
comments that you would like to add? Thank you for your time. We really appreciate your participation in
this brief survey. Thanks again, and have a good evening.

TERMINATE

[TO BE COMPLETED BY INTERVIEWER]
Respondent gender:

MALE
FEMALE

LANG Language or other barrier:
1 YES, POSSIBLE LANGUAGE BARRIER
2 YES, DEFINITE LANGUAGE BARRIER
3 NO LANGUAGE, BUT OTHER TYPE OF BARRIER [SPECIFY]
4 NO BARRIERS

OTHER RESPONDENT COMMENTS
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

QUESTIONS/COMMENTS AND ANSWERS
[If concerned about purpose of the call] This is not a marketing or sales call. We are collecting public
input for government, industry, and citizen groups to consider when evaluating ways to manage fish
species, like halibut, that are targeted by charter businesses in Alaska. I want to assure you that your
answers will be kept confidential and your name will not be revealed to anyone.
[If asking about the study sponsor] This survey is sponsored by NOAA Fisheries, also known as the
National Marine Fisheries Service, a U.S. government agency charged with understanding the effects of
federal management actions and policies affecting the nation’s saltwater and freshwater fisheries.