Captain and crew survey

Economic Survey of Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Captains and Crew Associated with the GOM Grouper-Tilefish Individual Fishing Quota Program

4/4/2016 1800

Economic Survey of Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Captains and Crew Associated with the GOM Grouper-Tilefish Individual Fishing Quota Program

Date: 4/4/2016 1800

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT:

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 30 minutes 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 only be released by NMFS in aggregate form. 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.

Screening Questions

Question ID	Question	Answer
1	My name is {0} , and I work for QuanTech, a contractor for the National Marine Fisheries Service. I am looking for commercial fishermen to interview….
2	Are you now or have you ever been employed as a crew member or as a hired captain on a commercial fishing boat?	Yes No Refused
3	Have you ever fished for grouper or tilefish in the Gulf of Mexico?	Yes No Refused

Introduction

Question ID	Question	Answer
	This survey is commissioned by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to identify how catch shares in the reef fish fishery of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) have affected hired captains and crew. This survey is voluntary. Individual responses will not be released by NMFS. QuanTech is interviewing Gulf of Mexico fishermen who fished at any point before or after implementation of the catch share or “IFQ” fishery management programs. The NMFS is interested in opinions about safety, incomes, attitudes and several other factors of those that still fish for reef fish species, those that have left those particular fisheries, and those who’ve left commercial fishing altogether. The results will be carefully examined by managers with a goal of better execution and implementation of management of fisheries in the United States.

Before and after GT-IFQ and other employment

Question ID	Question		Answer
4	Prior to the implementation of the GT-IFQ program on January 1, 2010, did you work on any commercial vessels in the Gulf of Mexico that landed the following species (check all that apply)? [INTERVIEWER: READ ALL EXCEPT DON’T KNOW AND REFUSED]		Gag Red Grouper Other Shallow Water Groupers Deep Water Groupers Tilefishes Did not fish prior to January 1, 2010 Don't Know Refused
5	Before GT-IFQs, did you work mostly as a hired captain or crew when fishing for GT species?	Captain Crew Other (Specify) Refused
6	Before GT-IFQs, what was the primary gear type you used to commercially fish for GT species?	Longline Bandit Rod and Reel Handline Spearfishing Other (Specify) Don't Know Refused
7	Since the implementation of the Grouper Tilefish-IFQ program on January 1, 2010, did you work on any commercial vessels in the Gulf of Mexico that landed the following species (check all that apply)? [INTERVIEWER: REAL ALL EXCEPT DON’T KNOW AND REFUSED]	Gag Red Grouper Other Shallow Water Groupers Deep Water Groupers Tilefishes Did not fish after January 1, 2010 Don't Know Refused
8	Since GT-IFQ implementation on January 1, 2010 have you worked mostly as captain or crew for GT species?	Captain Crew Other (Specify) Refused
9	Since GT-IFQs, what was the primary gear type you used to fish for GT species?	Longline Bandit Rod and Reel Handline Spearfishing Other (Specify) Don't Know Refused
10	Since GT-IFQs, of the vessels you worked on in a typical year, has the number of vessels targeting GT species increased greatly, increased slightly, stayed the same, decreased slightly, or decreased greatly?	Increased Greatly Increased Slightly Stayed the Same Decreased Slightly Decreased Greatly Don’t Know Refused
11	Since GT-IFQs, has the number of your fishing days for the following GT species in a typical season increased greatly, increased slightly, stayed the same, decreased slightly, or decreased greatly?
	Gag	Increased Greatly Increased Slightly Stayed the Same Decreased Slightly Decreased Greatly Don’t Know Refused
	Red Grouper	Increased Greatly Increased Slightly Stayed the Same Decreased Slightly Decreased Greatly Don’t Know Refused
	Other Shallow Water Groupers	Increased Greatly Increased Slightly Stayed the Same Decreased Slightly Decreased Greatly Don’t Know Refused
	Deep Water Groupers	Increased Greatly Increased Slightly Stayed the Same Decreased Slightly Decreased Greatly Don’t Know Refused
	Tilefishes	Increased Greatly Increased Slightly Stayed the Same Decreased Slightly Decreased Greatly Don’t Know Refused
12	Since GT-IFQs, has the number of days per year you spent working outside of the commercial fishing industry increased greatly, increased slightly, stayed the same, decreased slightly, or decreased greatly?	Increased Greatly Increased Slightly Stayed the Same Decreased Slightly Decreased Greatly Don’t Know Refused
13	Please indicate if you think the following has increased greatly, increased slightly, stayed the same, decreased slightly, or decreased greatly as a result of the GT-IFQ Program.
	Safety on GOM commercial GT trips:	1. Increased Greatly 2. Increased Slightly 3. Stayed the Same 4. Decreased Slightly 5. Decreased Greatly 6. Don’t Know 7. Refused
	Availability of work in the GT fishery:	1. Increased Greatly 2. Increased Slightly 3. Stayed the Same 4. Decreased Slightly 5. Decreased Greatly 6. Don’t Know 7. Refused
	Ability to get along with crew on the same vessel:	1. Increased Greatly 2. Increased Slightly 3. Stayed the Same 4. Decreased Slightly 5. Decreased Greatly 6. Don’t Know 7. Refused
	Ability to get along with crew on other vessels:	1. Increased Greatly 2. Increased Slightly 3. Stayed the Same 4. Decreased Slightly 5. Decreased Greatly 6. Don’t Know 7. Refused
	Choices you have for your employment in commercial fishing:	1. Increased Greatly 2. Increased Slightly 3. Stayed the Same 4. Decreased Slightly 5. Decreased Greatly 6. Don’t Know 7. Refused
	Ability to switch and be crew on a different vessel:	1. Increased Greatly 2. Increased Slightly 3. Stayed the Same 4. Decreased Slightly 5. Decreased Greatly 6. Don’t Know 7. Refused
	Your personal satisfaction from fishing itself:	1. Increased Greatly 2. Increased Slightly 3. Stayed the Same 4. Decreased Slightly 5. Decreased Greatly 6. Don’t Know 7. Refused
14	How often are you paid a share of the catch revenue rather than a flat wage for GT species? Would you say...	1. Always 2. Frequently 3. Sometimes 4. Occasionally 5. Never 6. Don't Know 7. Refused
15	Has your share of the revenue from GT species increased greatly, increased slightly, stayed the same, decreased slightly, or decreased greatly as a result of the GT-IFQ Program?	1. Increased Greatly 2. Increased Slightly 3. Stayed the Same 4. Decreased Slightly 5. Decreased Greatly 6. Don’t Know 7. Refused
16	How often do you have to share trip costs for bait, gas, et cetera for catching GT species? Would you say...	1. Always 2. Frequently 3. Sometimes 4. Occasionally 5. Never 6. Don't Know 7. Refused
17	Has the percent of trip costs for bait, gas, et cetera you pay for catching GT species increased greatly, increased slightly, stayed the same, decreased slightly, or decreased greatly as a result of the GT-IFQ Program?	1. Increased Greatly 2. Increased Slightly 3. Stayed the Same 4. Decreased Slightly 5. Decreased Greatly 6. Don’t Know 7. Refused
18	How do you think the price of GT- IFQ shares or allocation affects the costs you pay for catching GT for your primary GT target species?	1. Increases Greatly 2. Increases Slightly 3. Stays the same 4. Decreases Slightly 5. Decreases Greatly 6. Don’t Know 7. Refused
19	Do you pay any portion of the cost of buying GT- IFQ shares or leasing GT- IFQ allocation?	Shares Allocation Neither Shares nor Allocation Don’t Know Refused
20	Please indicate if you think the following has increased greatly, increased slightly, stayed the same, decreased slightly, or decreased greatly as a result of the GT IFQ Program
	Your average annual fishing income:	1. Increased Greatly 2. Increased Slightly 3. Stayed the Same 4. Decreased Slightly 5. Decreased Greatly 6. Don’t Know 7. Refused
	Stability of your annual fishing income:	1. Increased Greatly 2. Increased Slightly 3. Stayed the Same 4. Decreased Slightly 5. Decreased Greatly 6. Don’t Know 7. Refused
	Potential or opportunity for you to make a large annual income from fishing:	1. Increased Greatly 2. Increased Slightly 3. Stayed the Same 4. Decreased Slightly 5. Decreased Greatly 6. Don’t Know 7. Refused

Socio-demographic

Question ID		Question		Answer
21		The information you provide will be anonymous. Your name will never be associated with your answers.
22		How many years have you been working, either part or full time, in commercial fishing?		Don't Know Refused
23		What was your most recent position on a fishing vessel:		Captain Crew Other (Specify) Don't Know Refused
24		List all commercial fisheries you worked in during 2015:		Gulf Shrimp GT Red Snapper Non-IFQ Reef Fish Spanish Mackerel King Mackerel Spiny lobster Stone Crab Dolphin (mahi mahi)/Wahoo Highly Migratory Species Other (Specify) Don't Know Refused
		Do you also work in the for-hire (charter boat/ head boat/ party boat) fishing industry?		Yes No Don’t Know Refused
25	What year were you born?		Don't Know Refused
26	Where were you born? In the United States - select the name of the State
27	If outside the United States - select the name of the foreign country
28	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 6. Don't Know 7. Refused
29	Where did you live in 2015? City:
30	Zip Code		Don't Know Refused
31	State:
32	Country:
33	What was your marital status in 2015?		Single Married/Cohabitating Widowed/Divorced/Separated Other (Specify) Don't Know Refused
34	How many people lived in your primary household in 2015?
	Adults:
	Children under 18:
			Don't Know Refused
35	What is the primary language you speak at home?		English Spanish Vietnamese Other (Specify) Don't Know Refused
36	Please list the three major activities, e.g. fishing, employment elsewhere, investments, or social security, from which your household received income in 2015, starting with the most important. Please consider all sources of income from everyone that lives in your house.
	Most Important
	Second Most Important
	Third Most Important
37	Are you of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin?		Yes No Don’t Know Refused
38	What is your race? (SELECT ONE OR MORE)		American Indian or Alaska Native Asian Black or African American Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander White Some other race – (Specify)
39	Please indicate the category that best fits your personal income from commercial fishing in 2015.		1. Under $5,000 2. $5,000 to $14,999 3. $15,000 to $24,999 4. $25,000 to $49,999 5. $50,000 to $74,999 6. $75,000 to $99,999 7. $100,000 or more 8. Don't Know 9. Refused

Debriefing and comments

Question ID	Question	Answer
Question ID	Question	Answer
40	Do you have any recommendations for changing the GT-IFQ Program, or is there anything else about commercial fishing or this questionnaire you would like to share with us?
	Comments 1:
	Comments 2:
	Comments 3:

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