Survey of Participants in the Gulf of Mexico GT-IGQ Prog

OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-xxxx
Expiration Date: MM/DD/YYYY

Section 1: Background Information
You have been identified as a past or current participant in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Grouper-Tilefish
Individual Fishing Quota (GT-IFQ) Program. This questionnaire is intended for the following account
holder(s) and IFQ UserID:
Account Holder(s ): [insert Account Holder here]
IFQ UserID: [insert IFQ UserID here]
1.

a) Is the account holder associated with other IFQ accounts in addition to the one listed above?

b) If ‘yes’, please list the IFQ UserIDs assigned to these other IFQ accounts. Please indicate whether or
not a GT-IFQ Program participant survey has already been completed for these other IFQ accounts.

 No → Skip to Q2

→

 Yes

UserID
Was a GT-IFQ Program participant survey
already completed for this account?

________________

 Yes

 No

________________

 Yes

 No

________________

 Yes

 No

________________

 Yes

 No

c) If GT-IFQ Program participant surveys were already completed for any of the above IFQ
account UserIDs, are the answers you provided in those surveys consistent with answers you
would provide for this IFQ account?

 Yes

 No
→

→

If you answered ‘Yes’ to question 1(c), you
do not need to complete the remainder of
this survey. Please return this survey to:

If you answered ‘No’ to question 1(c),
please proceed to Question 1(d) and
complete the remainder of this survey.

QuanTech, Inc.
6110 Executive Blvd, Suite 400
Rockville, MD 20852
→

d) Would you like to use this survey for the IFQ accounts listed in question 1(b) for which no surveys
have been completed, in addition to the selected IFQ UserID for this survey?

2.

In which year did you first become involved in the commercial GOM reef fish fishery?

 Yes

 No

Year: _________

Section 2: Attitudes and Perceptions Concerning the GT-IFQ Program
3.

Did you vote in the GT-IFQ referendum?

4.

Did you support the GT-IFQ Program at the time of its implementation on January 1, 2010?

5.

Do you support the GT-IFQ Program NOW?

6.

a) Overall, how satisfied are you with the GT-IFQ Program?

 Yes

 Yes

 Yes

Highly
Unsatisfied


 No

 No  Undecided

 No

 Not applicable

 Undecided

Unsatisfied

Neutral

Satisfied







Highly
Satisfied


No Opinion


b) What do you consider to be the most positive outcomes of the GT-IFQ Program on your fishing
operations?

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

c) What do you consider to be the most negative outcomes of the GT-IFQ Program on your fishing
operations?

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

7.
For each potential GT-IFQ outcome below, please indicate your opinion by checking the appropriate
box.
Outcomes from the GT-IFQ Program

Strongly
Strongly
No
Disagree Neutral Agree
Disagree
Agree Opinion

Improved the profitability of the groupertilefish (G-T) component of my business by:
(a) increasing ex-vessel prices













(b) reducing operating expenses













More flexible timing for conducting
commercial fishing trips













Reduced regulatory discards of G-T
species













Reduced incidental catch of non-targeted
species













Reduced the loss of gear













Reduced derby-fishing conditions













Decreased crowding on fishing grounds













Improved safety at sea













Increased consolidation in the G-T sector













Made it harder for people to enter the G-T
sector













Improved compliance with regulations
associated with G-T species













Section 3: Socioeconomic Assessment of the GT-IFQ Program
8.

a) Since the implementation of the GT-IFQ Program, have you made any major changes in capital
(i.e., vessels, harvesting equipment, permits, shares) that you would consider to be the result of the
program?
Was this major change a result
Major Changes
of the GT-IFQ Program?
No Major
Bought ($ Value) Sold ($ Value)
Yes
No
Changes
Vessels



$_________

$_________





Equipment/Engines



$_________

$_________





Permits



$_________

$_________





Shares



$_________

$_________





b) If you indicated that you made changes in vessels and equipment as a result of the program, please
briefly explain the changes (e.g., bought or sold vessel, upgraded equipment/engine) and why these
changes were made.

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

c) If you indicated that you bought or sold permits or shares as a result of the program, please
briefly explain why these transactions were made.
_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

9.
Please check the box on the scale below that best indicates your experience maintaining and hiring
crew PRE- and POST- IFQ IMPLEMENTATION. If you don’t know (e.g., your captain hires crew),

check the No Opinion box.
Maintaining Skilled Crew
Very
Difficult

Difficult

Neutral

Easy

Very
Easy

No
Opinion

Pre-IFQ













Post-IFQ













Hiring Skilled Replacement Crew
Very
Difficult

Difficult

Neutral

Easy

Very
Easy

No
Opinion

Pre-IFQ













Post-IFQ













Questions 10-12 ask about changes in pay to captain, crew, and vessel owner since the GT-IFQ Program
began.

10.

a) Have you generally hired a captain to fish some/all of your annual GT-IFQ allocation?

b) If you answered yes to hiring a captain to fish some/all of your annual allocation, how was the captain
generally paid?

(check only one box for Before GT-IFQ and only one box for After GT-IFQ)

Before
GT-IFQ





 Yes → Go to Q10(b)
 No → Skip to Q11

After
GT-IFQ
 Share of total revenues without any deductions
 Share of total revenues after deductions
 Flat rate per day, trip, or season
 Other (please explain):

_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

c) If you deduct expenses from total revenues before paying the captain, which of the following
expenses have you normally deducted?

(check all that apply)

Before
GT-IFQ








After
GT-IFQ
 IFQ allocation
 Fuel expenses
 Bait expenses
 Grocery expenses
 Payments to crew
 Other expenses (list expenses)

_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

11.

a) Have you generally employed crew when fishing your annual GT-IFQ allocation?

b) If you answered yes to employing crew, how were crew generally paid?

(check only one box for Before GT-IFQ and only one box for After GT-IFQ)

Before
GT-IFQ





 Yes → Go to Q11(b)
 No → Skip to Q12

After
GT-IFQ
 Share of total revenues without any deductions
 Share of total revenues after deductions
 Flat rate per day, trip, or season
 Other (please explain):

_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

c) If you deduct expenses from total revenues before paying crew, which of the following
expenses have you normally deducted?

(check all that apply)

Before
GT-IFQ







After
GT-IFQ
 IFQ allocation
 Fuel expenses
 Bait expenses
 Grocery expenses
 Payment to a captain
 Other expenses (list expenses)

_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

12. Prior to the GT-IFQ Program, the distribution of payments described in questions 10 and 11 was
approximately:

Vessel Owner _______% + Captain ________% + Crew ________% = 100%

After implementation of the GT-IFQ Program, the distribution of payments was approximately:

Vessel Owner _______% + Captain ________% + Crew ________% = 100%

If the payments above do not add up to 100%, please briefly explain why:

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

13.

What is your primary business plan with respect to your activities in the GT-IFQ Program over the next
five years?

(check all that apply)

 I plan to sell (or give away) my shares TO others.
 I plan to sell (or give away) my allocation TO others.
 I plan to keep my activities at approximately the same level.
 I plan to obtain (e.g., buy) shares FROM others.
 I plan to obtain (e.g., lease) allocation FROM others.
 Other (please explain): ________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

With respect to the activity that you checked above, would you please elaborate as to why you selected
that item:

_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

Section 4: Transfer of GT-IFQ Allocation or Shares
14.

Do you think CURRENT allocation prices for the following GT-IFQ categories are low, about
right, or high? What do you consider to be a FAIR IFQ allocation price?
Don’t Know
Price/No
Opinion

Low

About Right

High

FAIR IFQ
Allocation
Price

Deep-Water
Grouper









$_________/lb

Gag/Gag-Multi









$_________/lb

Red Grouper









$_________/lb

Shallow-Water
Grouper









$_________/lb

Tilefishes









$_________/lb

GT-IFQ
Category

15.

Do you think CURRENT share prices for the following IFQ categories are low, about right, or
high? What do you consider to be a FAIR IFQ share price?
Don’t Know
Price/No
Opinion

Low

About Right

High

FAIR IFQ
Share
Price

Deep-Water
Grouper









$_________/lb

Gag









$_________/lb

Red Grouper









$_________/lb

Shallow-Water
Grouper









$_________/lb

Tilefishes









$_________/lb

GT-IFQ
Category

When answering questions 16-25, we are interested in your perceptions about the GT-IFQ Program
since its implementation in January 2010.
16.

Have you received transferred allocation FROM another IFQ account?

17.

If you received (e.g., leased, gifted) transferred GT-IFQ allocation FROM another IFQ account,
how important were the following reasons for doing so? Please check the appropriate box for each
statement.

 Yes → Go to Q17

 No → Skip to Q19

Reasons for RECEIVING TRANSFERRED
GT-IFQ allocation FROM another IFQ account

Not
Somewhat
Very
Important Important Important

I did not have the financial resources at the time to purchase
IFQ shares.







I only need (additional) allocation for a relatively short period
of time (e.g., a single fishing year).







I want to be able to retain grouper-tilefish species which I
would have otherwise discarded.







Over the long run, I believe that buying allocation on an annual
basis will be less expensive than purchasing an equivalent
amount of shares.







Purchasing annual allocation provides greater
flexibility than owning IFQ shares.







(a) future ex-vessel prices







(b) future commercial quotas due to changes in stock
assessments or modifications to the
commercial/recreational allocation







(c) future harvesting costs







(d) the duration of the GT-IFQ Program







(e) other ( please specify):
___________________________________________________







I bought allocation to sell or give to other fishermen.







Other (please explain):
___________________________________________________







I consider the buying of additional IFQ shares as too risky due
to uncertainty in:

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

18.

Please indicate the TRANSFER arrangement between you and the IFQ account seller.
(please check all that apply)

 I RECEIVED allocation with no other arrangements/restrictions being placed on the
allocation that I received FROM the IFQ account seller.

 I RECEIVED allocation with an arrangement that I sell my catch to a specified dealer.

 I RECEIVED allocation with other arrangements. Please explain these arrangements:

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

19.

Have you transferred allocation TO another IFQ account?

20.

If you transferred GT-IFQ allocation TO another IFQ Account, how important were the following
reasons for doing so? Please check the appropriate box for each statement.

 Yes → Go to Q20

 No → Skip to Q22

Reasons for TRANSFERRING GT-IFQ allocation TO
another IFQ account

Not
Somewhat
Very
Important Important Important

I received a higher return from TRANSFERRING allocation
than from fishing it.







Reduced financial uncertainty.







Illness or health issues prevented me from fishing.







Vessel repairs prevented me from fishing.







My allocation from shares is too small to be worth harvesting.







The vessel fishing capacity availability that I have is
insufficient to allow for the harvest of my allocation.







The amount of labor (captain and crew) that I have is
insufficient to allow for the harvest of my allocation.







I TRANSFERRED allocation as barter for red snapper or other
species IFQ allocation/shares.







I no longer have a Gulf of Mexico reef fish permit.







I transferred allocation to my other IFQ account(s).







Other (please explain):
___________________________________________________







___________________________________________________

21.

Please indicate the TRANSFER arrangement between you and the IFQ account to which you
TRANSFERRED allocation.
(please check all that apply)

 I TRANSFERRED allocation TO another IFQ account with no other arrangements/
restrictions being placed on the transferred allocation.

 I TRANSFERRED allocation with an arrangement that the IFQ account to which the transfer
was made would deliver the catch to a specified dealer.

 I TRANSFERRED allocation with other arrangements. Please explain these arrangements:

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

22.

Have you purchased GT-IFQ shares?

23.

If you purchased GT-IFQ shares, how important were the following reasons for doing so? Please
check the appropriate box for each statement.

 Yes → Go to Q23

 No → Skip to Q24

Reasons for PURCHASING GT-IFQ shares

Not
Somewhat
Very
Important Important Important

The asking price for the purchased shares was
reasonable compared to the financial return
I anticipated from fishing the additional shares.







The asking price for the purchased shares was
reasonable compared to what I anticipate I will be
able to sell the shares.







The asking price for the purchased shares was
reasonable relative to the return I anticipated from
selling the related annual allocation.







I believed that the additional shares would allow me
to fish at a more efficient level.







I needed additional shares because I wanted to retain
the grouper-tilefish I land as bycatch.







I anticipated that Total Allowable Catch (TAC)
will increase after the next stock assessment.













Other (please explain):
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________

24.

Have you sold GT-IFQ shares?

25.

If you sold GT-IFQ shares, how important were the following reasons for doing so? Please check
the appropriate box for each statement.

 Yes → Go to Q25

 No → Skip to Q26

Reasons for SELLING GT-IFQ shares

Not
Somewhat
Very
Important Important Important

The selling price was high relative to the expected
financial returns I anticipated from fishing the shares.







The selling price was higher than what I anticipated
receiving for the shares in the future.







I had more shares than necessary for an efficient
level of production.







I anticipated that the value of my shares would
decrease after the next stock assessment.







I felt uncertain about the duration of the GT-IFQ
Program and that led me to sell shares.







I wanted to leave the fishery.







I TRANSFERRED all/some of my shares as barter
for red snapper or other species IFQ allocation/
shares.













Other (please explain):
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________

26.

Have you experienced any changes in your relationship with dealers since the GT-IFQ Program began?

 I have not experienced significant changes in my relationship with dealers.

 I have experienced significant changes in my relationship with dealers. Please explain what these
changes are:

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

27.

Please estimate the current market value of your vessels, gear, and equipment (excluding permits and
shares) used to harvest grouper and tilefishes?

$ _________________

a) In your opinion, has the GT-IFQ Program resulted in a change in the current market value of your
vessels, gear, and equipment?

b) Does this change represent an increase or a decrease in the current market value of your vessels, gear,
and equipment?

c) What would you estimate to be the change in the current market value of your vessels, gear, and
equipment that resulted from the GT-IFQ Program?

 Yes → Go to Q27(b)

 Increase

± $ _________________

 No → Skip to Q28

 Decrease

Section 5: Social Well-Being and Demographic Information
28. The following set of questions is designed to evaluate the well-being of fishermen who harvest grouper

and tilefish species, including your views of fishing as a job and way of life. If you did not fish or if you

hire a captain to fish your allocation in the GT-IFQ Program, please proceed to Question 29.

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Please check the appropriate box

for each statement.

Strongly
Strongly
No
Disagree Neutral Agree
Disagree
Agree Opinion
“Fishing is hard work” is less true now than
prior to the GT-IFQ Program.













It is easier for people to get started in fishing
now than prior to the IFQ Program.













I enjoy fishing more now than prior to the IFQ
Program.













Fishing is just one of many jobs I could be
happy doing.













Young people should be encouraged to pursue
a career in commercial fishing.













My primary motivation for fishing is financial.













I would choose to be a commercial fisherman
if I had my life to live over again.













Overall, IFQ programs have made commercial
fishing a better industry to be a part of.













29. Are you male or female?

 Male

 Female

30. In what year were you born?

19_____

31. How many people in the following age groups live in your household?

_____ Under 18

______ 18 to 35

______ 36 to 60

_____Over 60

32.

What is your marital status?

 Never married
 Married
 Separated
 Divorced
 Widowed

33. Are you of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin?

 Yes

34.

What is your race? (check one or more boxes)

 No

 American Indian or Alaska Native
 Asian
 Black or African American
 Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
 White
 Some other race – Please print race below
______________________________________________________________

35. What is the highest level of education that you have attained (check only one box)?

 Not a high school graduate
 High school graduate or Certificate of High School Equivalency
 Some college or post-secondary training, but no degree
 Associate or vocational degree
 Bachelor degree
 Advanced degree

36. What was your household income in 2013 (before taxes)?

 Under $15,000

 $15,000 to $24,999
 $25,000 to $34,999
 $35,000 to $49,999

 $50,000 to $74,999
 $75,000 to $99,999
 $100,000 and over

Section 6: Other Issues
For each question, please check the box on the scale below that best indicates your level of satisfaction.
If the question does not apply, please check the N/A box.
37.

a) How satisfied are you with the IFQ Online System for managing share and allocation and completing
landing transactions?
Highly
Unsatisfied


Unsatisfied

Neutral

Satisfied







Highly
Satisfied


No Opinion


b) What improvements would you suggest to the IFQ Online System?

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________
38.

a) How satisfied are you with the customer service you receive when contacting NOAA Fisheries
Service regarding questions about the IFQ Program?
Highly
Unsatisfied


Unsatisfied

Neutral

Satisfied







Highly
Satisfied


No Opinion


b) What improvements would you suggest to IFQ customer service?

_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

39.

a) How satisfied are you with the customer service you receive when making a landing notification via
phone?
Highly
Unsatisfied


Unsatisfied

Neutral

Satisfied







Highly
Satisfied


No Opinion


b) What improvements would you suggest to the landing notification system?

_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________
40.

a) How satisfied are you with enforcement of the IFQ Program?
Highly
Unsatisfied


Unsatisfied

Neutral

Satisfied







Highly
Satisfied


No Opinion


b) What improvements would you suggest to the enforcement of the IFQ Program?

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________
PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT:

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response including the
time for reviewing the instructions, searching the 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
aspects of this burden to Larry Perruso National Marine Fisheries Service, 75 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami, Florida
33149. This reporting is authorized under 50 CFR 622.5(a)(1)(v). Information submitted will be treated as confidential
in accordance with NOAA Administrative Order 216-100. 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 displays a currently valid OMB
Control Number. The NMFS requires this information for the conservation and management of marine fishery resources.
These data will be used to evaluate the economic effects of proposed regulations in the fishery.

MID: xxx-xxx