Economic survey of GOM dealers

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE

«First_Name» «Last_Name»

«Street»

«City», «State» «Zip»

Dear «Prefix»«SurName2»:

In the next few days, you will receive a questionnaire in the mail from QuanTech, a survey research firm that is assisting the Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to conduct a study of the reef fish dealer/processor sector that is part of the 5-year review of the Grouper-Tilefish Individual Fishing Quota (GT-IFQ) Program.

I am writing in advance because we have found that many people like to know ahead of time that they will be contacted. The study is an important one that will provide information to fishery managers regarding the performance of the GT-IFQ Program.

Thank you for your time and consideration. It is only with the generous help of reef fish dealers like yourself that the survey can be successful.

Sincerely,

Larry Perruso

Economist

Southeast Fisheries Science Center

National Marine Fisheries Service

January 24, 2021

John Smith

123 Main Street

ANYTOWN, USA 12345-1234

Dear Mr. Smith:

I am writing to request your help with a National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) survey of Federally-licensed reef fish dealers about management of the grouper-tilefish component of the commercial Gulf of Mexico (GOM) reef fish fishery under the Grouper-Tilefish Individual Fishing Quota (GT-IFQ) Program.

The data collected from this survey will provide vital information to assess the economic effects of the GT-IFQ Program on individual dealer/processor enterprises, fishing communities, and the nation as whole as well as offer a unique opportunity to learn from the experience of the GOM GT-IFQ Program to assess the future use of IFQs.

Only aggregated results from the survey will be released. When you return your completed questionnaire, your name will be checked off the mailing list by QuanTech, the survey contractor.

The survey is voluntary. However, you can help us by sharing your views and experiences. If for some reason you prefer not to respond, we would appreciate it if you return the blank questionnaire in the enclosed business reply envelope anyway, so we can check you off the mailing list and avoid future mailings.

If you have any questions or comments about the study, please call Daemian Schreiber of QuanTech toll-free at 1-800-229-5220, extension 7831.

We realize your time is valuable and truly appreciate your participation in this survey.

Sincerely,

Larry Perruso

Economist

Southeast Fisheries Science Center

National Marine Fisheries Service

Last week a questionnaire was mailed to you seeking information about your involvement in the Gulf of Mexico Grouper-Tilefish Individual Fishing Quota Program.

If you have already completed and returned the questionnaire, please accept our sincere thanks. If you have not completed and returned it, we ask that you do so as soon as possible. We are very grateful for your help--information from the survey of reef fish dealers like you about their opinions and experiences about IFQs is important for the NMFS to hear and will help improve fishery management practices.

If you did not receive a questionnaire, or if it was misplaced, please call Daemian Schreiber of QuanTech at 1-800-229-5220 and another one will be mailed to you today.

Regards,

Larry Perruso

Economist

Southeast Fisheries Science Center

National M arine Fisheries Service

April 15, 2015

John Smith

123 Main Street

ANYTOWN, USA 12345-1234

Dear Mr. Smith:

Some time ago, we sent you a survey about management of the grouper-tilefish component of the commercial Gulf of Mexico (GOM) reef fish fishery under the Grouper-Tilefish Individual Fishing Quota (GT-IFQ) Program.

The people who have already responded have provided a variety of (both positive and negative) views on, and experiences with, the GT-IFQ Program. We think the results will be very useful to fishery managers for evaluating and improving the Grouper-Tilefish Individual Fishing Quota (GT-IFQ) Program.

We are writing again because of the importance that your responses have for helping to get accurate results. It’s only by hearing from nearly all Federally-licensed reef fish dealers that we can be sure that the results are truly representative. We need your help!

We hope you will fill out and return the questionnaire soon, but if for some reason you prefer not to respond, please let us know by returning a note or the blank questionnaire in the enclosed business-reply envelope.

Please do not hesitate to call Daemian Schreiber of QuanTech toll-free at 1-800-229-5220, extension 7831, if you have any questions concerning this study. Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Larry Perruso

Economist

Southeast Fisheries Science Center

N ational Marine Fisheries Service