Shrimp Vessel and Gear Characterization Survey

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Marine Fisheries Service
Southeast Fisheries Science Center
4700 Avenue U
Galveston, TX 77551

OMB Control No. 0648-0542
Expiration Date: 1/31/2014

GULF SHRIMP VESSEL & GEAR
CHARACTERIZATION FORM
INSTRUCTIONS

(Incomplete or illegible forms will be returned.)

Please Note: It is REQUIRED that the following form be returned in order to be eligible to renew your FEDERAL
PERMIT APPLICATION FOR VESSELS FISHING IN THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE (EEZ) to the following
address: NOAA Fisheries Galveston Laboratory, Attention: Rebecca Smith, 4700 Avenue U, Galveston, TX 77551. If
you have a question regarding the form, please call (409) 766-3783 between 8 am - 4:30 pm CST.
Through this form, NMFS is collecting information from all federally permitted shrimp vessel owners/operators on fishing vessel and
gear characteristics in the Gulf of Mexico Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) shrimp fishery. The data collected are currently being
analyzed by NMFS economists, gear specialists, and fishery biologists to improve fishery management decision-making in this
fishery. This information is vital in assessing the economic, social, and environmental effects of fishery management decisions and
regulations on individual shrimp fishing enterprises, fishing communities, and the nation as a whole.

QUESTION 1 Enter the year that you purchased or leased the vessel, regardless of whether it was new or used at the
time.
QUESTION 2 For part a, indicate whether the vessel was most frequently operated by the owner or someone other
than the owner (a hired captain) in 2013. For part b, indicate the number of crewmembers typically on board during
2013, including the captain.
QUESTION 3 Answer ‘yes’ if the vessel was used to shrimp in Federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico even one time
during 2013.
QUESTION 4 Indicate the total number of days at sea and the number of trips for this vessel in the Gulf of Mexico
shrimp fishery during 2013 (including from bays, bayous, State inshore and offshore waters, or Federal waters). For
example, if the vessel took 10 trips and each trip lasted 10 days, then the total days at sea for 2013 would be 100.
QUESTIONS 5 – 11 Indicate the characteristics for the one primary gear type most frequently used on this vessel in
2013. Also provide the characteristics of the try net used with this gear type.
QUESTIONS 12 - 13 Indicate the one BRD type most frequently used on this vessel in 2013.
QUESTIONS 14 - 26 Indicate and provide additional details for the one TED type most frequently used on this
vessel in 2013.
QUESTION 27 Indicate all types of ELECTRONIC equipment that were on-board this vessel in 2013.
KNOWINGLY SUPPLYING FALSE INFORMATION IS A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW PUNISHABLE BY A FINE AND/OR
IMPRISONMENT.
Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 20 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
Rick Hart, NMFS, Fisheries Management Branch, 4700 Avenue U, Galveston, TX, 77551.
All data submitted will be handled as confidential material in accordance with NOAA Administrative Order 216-100, Protection of
Confidential 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.

2013

OMB Control No. 0648-0542

Expiration Date: 1/31/2014

GULF SHRIMP VESSEL AND GEAR CHARACTERIZATION FORM
Permit # :
Permit Holder Name:
State Registration #:

Vessel Name:
USCG Vessel ID:
Please provide any missing or incorrect information in the above heading.

1.

What year did you purchase or lease this vessel?
Purchase or Lease Year _____________

2.

a. In 2013, this vessel was most frequently operated by:
(Check the appropriate box.)
owner

hired-captain

BOTH (owner and captain)

none (not shrimping)

b. In 2013, what was the typical number of crew on the vessel, including captain?
If not shrimping, write N/A.
Total number of crew and captain ________
1

3. In 2013, did you shrimp in Federal waters (i.e. the EEZ ) of the Gulf of Mexico?
(Check the appropriate box.)
Yes
4.

No

In 2013, what was the total number of days at sea and the total number of trips this vessel
took in the Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishery (including State inshore and offshore & Federal
offshore trips)? The total days at sea should not exceed 365 days.
Total Days at sea during the entire year __________
Number of Trips taken during the entire year _________

5.

What was the most frequently used Gear Type in 2013?
Choose a code from the lists below. If other, please specify.
(See Figure 1 on Page 3 for common gear types.)
Code
___ A
___ B
___ C

Gear Type
Trawl
Butterfly Net
Cast Net

Code

Gear Type

___ D Skimmer Net
___ F Roller Frame
___ G Other (specify) __________

1

The EEZ portion of the fishery is from nine (9) miles outward off of the Texas and West Florida coasts, and from
three (3) miles outward off the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.

NOAA Fisheries Gulf Vessel and Gear Characterization Form

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OMB Control No. 0648-0542

2013

Expiration Date: 1/31/2014

Figure 1. Common Gear Types. (Use for Question 5, use letters above picture.)

NOAA Fisheries Gulf Vessel and Gear Characterization Form

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OMB Control No. 0648-0542

6.

Expiration Date: 1/31/2014

What was your most frequently used Net Type in 2013?
Choose a code from the lists below. If other, please specify.
Code Net Type
___ H
2 Seam Balloon
___ J
4 Seam Balloon
___ K
Box
___ L
Flat

7.

2013

___
___
___
___

Code Net Type
M
Western Jib
N
Add-on Bib
O
Built-in Bib (e.g. mongoose, cobra, etc.)
P
Other (specify)___________

What was the number of nets used at one time for your most frequently used gear type in
2013? Do not include the try net in total number of nets used at one time.
Number of Nets used at one time _________

Figure 2. Basic Trawl Diagram with parts identified. (Use for Questions 8 - 11).

8.

What was the Headrope Length or Frame Width (in feet) for your most frequently used gear
type in 2013? (Note: Measurement is width of mouth of one net.)
Headrope Length or Frame Width _________ feet

9.

What was the Headrope Length or Frame Width (in feet) for your Try Net in 2013?
(If no Try Net was used, write “N/A” in the blank.)
Headrope Length or Frame Width of Try Net ________ feet

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OMB Control No. 0648-0542

10.

2013

Expiration Date: 1/31/2014

What was the Mesh Type (net material) for your most frequently used gear in 2013?
Choose a code from the lists below for each question. If other, please specify.

Body of Net
Code
___ S
___ T
___ U
___ V
___ W

Mesh Type
Nylon
Spectra
Poly
Sapphire
Other (specify) ______________

Codend (Tail or Bag)
Code
___ S
___ T
___ U
___ V
___ W

11.

Mesh Type
Nylon
Spectra
Poly
Sapphire
Other (specify) ______________

What was the Mesh Size (in inches) for your most frequently used gear type?
(See Figure 3 for measurement illustration.)
Body of Net ________ inches
Codend (Tail or Bag) ________ inches

Figure 3. Illustration on how to measure Mesh Size. (Use for Question 11.)
Use the measurement of the distance between the centers of two opposite knots (points A & B) after the
mesh has been stretched.

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OMB Control No. 0648-0542

12.

2013

Expiration Date: 1/31/2014

In 2013, what is the type of BRD (bycatch reduction device) you used most frequently ? Check
the appropriate box below. (See Figure 4.)
Jones-Davis

Modified Jones-Davis

Composite Panel

Composite Panel with Cone

Composite Panel with Square Mesh

Extended Funnel

Fisheye

None (N/A)

Figure 4. Common Bycatch Reduction Devices. (Use for Question 12.)

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OMB Control No. 0648-0542

13.

2013

Expiration Date: 1/31/2014

If a Fisheye BRD was used, what was the distance from the bag tie off rings to the BRD?
If you did not use a Fisheye BRD, write “N/A” in the blank.
(See Figure 5 for measurement illustration.)
Distance in inches: ___________

Figure 5. Illustration on how to measure distance from BRD to tie off rings (Use for Question 13.)

14.

In 2013, what Type of TED (turtle excluder device) did you use most frequently?

Please check only one code.

_____Single Grid Hard TED  (Questions 15 - 19 and question 27)
_____Parker Soft TED  (Questions 20 - 21 and question 27)
_____Hooped Hard TED  (Questions 22 - 26 and question 27)
_____None (N/A)  (Question 27)

NOAA Fisheries Gulf Vessel and Gear Characterization Form

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OMB Control No. 0648-0542

2013

Expiration Date: 1/31/2014

SINGLE GRID HARD TED
If you most frequently used a Single Grid Hard TED in 2013, answer questions 15 – 19.
15.

What was the most frequently used Grid Style? Check only one code.
_____A = Bent Bar
_____B = Matagorda
_____C = Weedless
_____D = Georgia
_____E = Fixed Angle

16.

What was the Grid Size (width x height) of your Single Grid Hard TED? The measurement is
the measurement of the outside frame of the TED.
_______ inches x _______inches

17.

What was the Opening Size of your Single Grid Hard TED?
Check the most frequently used Opening Size. If other, please specify size in inches.
_____A = Double Cover (inshore & offshore)
_____B = 71” (inshore & offshore)
_____C = 44” (inshore only)
_____D = Other size opening (please specify)_______ inches

18.

What was the Opening Direction of your Single Grid Hard TED?
Check the most frequently used direction.
_____A = Top Opening
_____B = Bottom Opening
_____C = Both Top and Bottom Opening

19.

Did you use an Accelerator Funnel on your Single Grid Hard TED? Check Yes or No.
_____Yes
_____ No

Go to Question 27 (skip 20 - 26)

NOAA Fisheries Gulf Vessel and Gear Characterization Form

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OOMB Control No. 0648-0542

2013

Expiration Date: 1/31/2014

PARKER SOFT TED
If you most frequently used a Parker Soft TED in 2013, answer questions 20 and 21.
20.

What was the Opening Type/Size of your Parker Soft TED? Check the correct opening size.
_____1 = 56” cut (inshore only)
_____2 = 96” cut (offshore / inshore)
_____0 = Other (Please specify) __________ inches

21.

Did you use a flap on your Parker Soft TED (Offshore Only)? Check Yes or No.
_____Yes
_____No

Go to Question 27 (skip 22 - 26)

NOAA Fisheries Gulf Vessel and Gear Characterization Form

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OMB Control No. 0648-0542

2013

Expiration Date: 1/31/2014

HOOPED HARD TED
If you most frequently used a Hooped Hard TED in 2013, answer questions 22 - 26.
22.

Check your most frequently used Grid Style. Check only one style.
_____G = Coulon
_____H = NMFS

23.

What was the most frequently used Frame Size of your Hooped Hard TED? Check the
minimum size you used. If other, please specify measurement in inches.
_____A = Inshore minimum
_____B = Offshore minimum
_____C = Other (provide measurement)________ inches

24.

What was the most frequently used Opening Size of your Hooped Hard TED? Check only one
size. If other, please specify opening size in inches.
_____A = Double Cover (inshore & offshore)
_____B = 71” (inshore & offshore)
_____C = 44“ (inshore only)
_____D = Other size opening (please specify) _______ inches

25.

What was the Opening Direction of your Hooped Hard TED? Check only one direction.
_____A = Top Opening
_____B = Bottom Opening
_____C = Both Top and Bottom Opening

26.

Did you use an Accelerator Funnel on your Hooped Hard TED? Check Yes or No.
_____Yes
_____No

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OMB Control No. 0648-0542

27.

2013

Expiration Date: 1/31/2014

In the list below, please check off the types of ELECTRONIC equipment (either in the
wheelhouse or mounted on the gear) that were on-board your vessel in 2013. Note that this list
contains types of equipment that may not be presently used in the Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishery,
but are used in other fisheries for which this type of information is being collected.
Please Check

Item
Cell phone
VHF radio
CB Radio
Single sideband radio
Satellite phone
Fax
Plotter
Computer (including software)
Printer
Hailer (Boat intercom)
Loran
Vessel Tracking System
Radar
Global Positioning System (GPS)
Auto Pilot
EPIRB

Paper
Video
Digital

Echo Sounder/Depth Recorder (please check all which you have):
Electronic Compass
Satellite Navigation System (SatNav)
Radio Direction Finder
Weather Satellite Receiver
Wind Meter
Net Pingers
Temperature Profiling System
Water Temperature Sensor
Single direction sonar
Multiple direction sonar
Water salinity Sensor
Other (please specify) _____________________
Other (please specify) _____________________
Other (please specify) _____________________
Other (please specify) _____________________

Authorized Signature: _____________________________________

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