Appendix D - Pretest Results

APPENDIX_D_Pretest_Results.pdf

Economic Value of Puerto Rico's Coral Reef Ecosystems for Recreation/Tourism Uses

Appendix D - Pretest Results

OMB: 0648-0713

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APPENDIX D: PRETEST RESULTS

Introduction
The original design called for and Airport survey to estimate the number of visitors (measured in person-trips)
that visited Puerto Rico and did at least one coral reef activity on their trip. Estimates of person-trips were to be
made by region (five regions) and activity. For intensity of use measured in person-days and number of dives
by region and reef activity; expenditures; importance-satisfaction ratings; and non-market economic values and
Internet Panel was to be used. The Internet Panel was to be recruited at the airport and e-mails obtained from
those who agreed to join the panel. GfK, Inc. would implement the Internet Panel survey.
In the pre-test, GfK required that the University of Puerto Rico deliver at least 600 e-mails to get 200
completes. The 200 completes were thought necessary to design the dollar bid amounts for the stated
preference choice questions to be used to estimate non-market economic value of coral reef attributes.
The University of Puerto Rico delivered 602 e-mails to GfK along with the airport activity participation data to
make it more efficient in asking for the number of days and number of dives by activity and region. It took 714
airport completed interviews to get the 602 recruited into the Internet Panel or 84.3% agreed to join the Internet
Panel. The Tally Sheet, used to estimate the percent of all visitors that use the coral reefs for at least one coral
reef activity yielded an estimate of 13.09% of all Puerto Rico’s visitors used the coral reefs. However, we
expect this could differ by season. The cooperation rate, i.e. those who were eligible for the survey that
completed the airport survey was 78.59%.
The Internet survey was not successful. Only 30 people responded to the Internet survey even after three e-mail
follow-ups. So we had to abandon this approach and re-design the survey using an approach that has worked
successfully in the Florida Keys in 1995-96, 2000-01, and 2007-08. We designed an On-site survey to be
implemented at various sites around the island including hotels, marinas, dive shops and beaches. Puerto Rico
Sea Grant selected the sites and got permissions from the owners/managers for the University of Puerto Rico
students to access the sites and interview their customers. A Tally sheet was also designed to screen people for
being eligible for the survey. To be eligible, a visitor had to be 18 years or older (University of Puerto Rico
IRB Review requirement for human subjects), had to have done at least one recreation activity on the coral reefs
on the interview trip (see Blue Card), and had to be ending their trip the day of the interview or before Noontime the next day. We didn’t want people speculating about what they might do on the trip.
We needed to test the time it took to complete the On-site questionnaire. We wanted to keep it to an average
time of 15-20 minutes.
The first draft of the questionnaire included four choice questions as was planned for the Internet survey (see
Part B for the requirements for an optimal design of the choice questions). After testing on 30 people, we
learned that with four choice questions the survey was too long. So we re-drafted the questionnaire to include
only two choice questions per respondent. This required us to increase the number of versions from nine to 18
to meet the optimal design requirement of 36 choices.
The expenditure and importance-satisfaction information that was originally designed primarily from the
Internet survey was moved to two mailbacks in the airport survey as they have been used in the Florida Keys
successfully in 1995-95 and 2007-08. The mailbacks were already going to be used in the airport survey for
people who did not join the Internet Panel, but agreed to take the two mailbacks. These di not require pretesting
since they have been used successfully in the past.
On-site Survey Pretest Results
The On-site questionnaire was pretested at 26 sites around the island between May 28 and June 22, 2016. One
hundred and ninety-six (196) completes were obtained. The average time was within the 15-20 minute limit.

Choice Question Dollar Bid Design. Our optimal design called for six different dollar bid amounts. The
optimal design simply assigned a dollar bid price level as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. Our task was to design the dollar
amounts associated with each of the price levels.
The pretest used eight versions of the survey. This was the same design that was submitted for the pretest
application for approval (0648-0713), except the Internet had four versions with four choices per version
whereas the On-site survey had eight versions with two choices per version. We used nine different prices ($30,
$60,, $95, $125, $190, $250, $375, $500, $750, and $1,000). Prices are increases to the household per trip in
their total trip costs. These prices were assigned to different combinations of attributes (alternatives within a
choice set). Each choice has three options: 1) A=Status Quo which includes all attributes at the low level with a
cost of $0; 2) B=mix of attribute levels at a price greater than $0, and 3) C=mix of attributes at a price greater
than $0. Table D.1 shows the prices assigned to each version and each choice within a version, while Table D.2
shows the levels of attributes for each option and choice for each version. The questionnaires and cards handed
to the respondents are included at the end of this appendix.
Table D.1. Prices used in the Pretest by Version, Choice and Option
________________________________________________________________________
Choice 1
Choice 2
Version
A
B
C
A
B
C
________________________________________________________________________
!a
$0
$500
$1,000
$0
$750
$750
1b
$0
$500
$500
$0
$250
$250
2a
$0
$250
$500
$0
$375
$375
2b
$0
$250
$250
$0
$125
$125
3a
$0
$125
$250
$0
$190
$190
3b
$0
$125
$125
$0
$60
$60
4a
$0
$60
$125
$0
$95
$95
4b
$0
$60
$60
$0
$30
$30
________________________________________________________________________
A= Status Quo
Table D.2. Attribute Condition Levels by Version, Choice and Option
__________________________________________________________________________
Choice 1
Choic 2
Version
A
B
C
A
B
C
__________________________________________________________________________
1a
All Low
All M
All H
All Low
6M & 6H 6H & 6M
1b
All Low
6L & 6H
6H & 6L
All Low
6M & 6H 6H & 6M
2a
All Low
All M
All H
All Low
6M & 6H 6H & 6M
2b
All Low
6L & 6H
6H & 6L
All Low
6L & 6M 6M & 6L
3a
All Low
All M
All H
All Low
6M & 6H 6H & 6M
3b
All Low
6L & 6H
6H & 6L
All Low
6L & 6M 6M & 6L
4a
All Low
All M
All H
All Low
6M & 6H 6H & 6M
4b
All Low
6L & 6H
6H & 6L
All Low
6L & 6M 6M & 6L
_________________________________________________________________________
L = Low, M=Medium, and H=High Condition

Generally, as prices increased the percent choosing the option declined, holding mix of attributes constant. All
those presented with the lowest dollar amount never selected the Status Quo, so we set our lowest dollar amount
(price level 1) to $60. For $60, we had some choosing the Status Quo thus avoiding the “fat tails” problem. Not

everyone one selected the Status Quo for the highest dollar amount so price level 6 was set to $1,000. For price
levels 2 to 4, we approximately doubled the price levels with price level 2=$125, price level 3=$250, and price
level 4=$500. For price level 5, we went halfway between price level 5 and price level 6 or $750. This method
of setting prices has worked in many applications in the past.
Scenario Rejection/Protestors. In every application of non-market economic valuation, researchers are forced
to deal with the possibility that some people will not accept the valuation scenario and therefore not provide
their “true” willingness to pay for the goods and services being offered. Sometimes people do not like the
payment method used. Sometimes they don’t believe the information provided that provides the basis of
describing the nature of the goods and services or changes in the goods and services being offered. Sometimes
the method of supply of the goods and services are rejected. In many of this latter case, people express antigovernment attitudes. Still others believe think that in some cases of public good supply, such as natural
resources quantity and quality is a moral issue and they don’t think they should have to pay to protect and/or
restore these resources.
We included several questions to help identify scenario rejection/protestors. We defined a “protestor” as
anyone that always chose the Status Quo, that they responded they did not believe the scientific information
provided about the future conditions of the reefs if current management and policies continued (Question C3) or
in the open ended question following each choice (C7 for choice 1 and C11 for choice 2) provided a noneconomic reason for selecting the Status Quo or not answering the choice questions. Everyone in the sample
answered all the choice questions. For Choice 1, 14.72% chose the Status Quo, while 11.22% chose the Status
Quo for choice 2. Only three of those sampled were classified as “protestors” or 1.5%.
For these protestors, we further explored their responses to other questions. Questions C17a, C17c, C17d, C17e
and C17j provided more information to better understand why they were protesting. These questions used a
five-point Likert agreement scale where 1=Strongly disagree, 2=Somewhat disagree, 3=Neither agree or
disagree (neutral), 4=Somewhat agree and 5=Strongly agree.
C17a: Cost should not be a factor when protecting the environment.
Answers of agreement to this statement would reveal a person who leans towards the moral argument for
protection and is therefore rejecting our scenario. Two out of the three protestors strongly agreed with this
statement and one strongly disagreed.
C17c: I was concerned that the Puerto Rico government cannot effectively manage coral reefs.
This is a weak indicator of protests since many in the focus groups said they thought that the Puerto Rcio
government was not effectively managing the coral reefs but the reason was the lack of information on the
importance of the reefs in terms of economics. They thought the information from this study was critical to
getting the Puerto Rico government to give the reefs more attention. One of the protestors strongly agreed, one
somewhat agreed and one was neutral.
C17d: I should not have to pay more to protect or restore coral reefs in Puerto Rico.
Two of the protestors strongly agreed and one somewhat disagreed. Of the two who strongly agreed, they also
indicated in their answers to the open questions C7 and C11 that it was a moral issue or they thought they
already had paid a tourist tax and those funds should be used instead.
C17e: The public’s views as expressed in this survey should be important to the Puerto Rico government when
it chooses how to manage coral reefs.
One protestor strongly agreed and two somewhat agreed with this statement.

C17j: The government should use incentives to businesses and households to pay for environmental protections
instead of regulations that result in higher prices or taxes to businesses and households.
Agreement with this statement would support the rejection of our scenario. Two of the protestors strongly
agreed and one strongly disagreed.
Another question was asked after the choice questions that goes to accepting our scenario.
C19: How certain are you that additional funding would achieve the goals of protecting the environment?
One protestor answered they were very sure, one was moderately sure and one was not sure at all. The protestor
that was not sure at all also had responded to C17c that they strongly agreed that Puerto Rico could not
effectively manage the coral reefs.
Overall, we conclude that scenario rejection/protestors are not a significant problem.

Item Non-response
As with many applications of this survey questionnaire over the years, item non-response is very limited. The
only problems were with demographics with a higher than usual non-response to Household Income.






Four people did not provide activity data (2%)
D2 – Year born had one non-respondent of (0.5%)
D4 – Ethnicity (Latino, Hispanic or Spanish Origen) eight non-respondents (4.1%)
D5 – Race one non-respondent (0.5%)
D6 – Household Income 58 non-respondents (29.6%)

Household income is of concern since it is often related to willingness to pay. The non-response rate was
higher than that of visitors at the airport which had a non-response rate of 14%. Thus this could be an
interviewer problem that could be corrected with additional training.

Tally Sheet
On-site Survey
Hello, I am from the University of Puerto Rico and we are doing a survey on recreation-tourism in Puerto
Rico. Those who complete the survey will be entered into a sweepstakes/lottery to win free vacation
prizes. (Hand respondent gift brochure).

Are you a permanent resident of Puerto Rico?
Yes

Thank you. We are only interviewing nonresidents of Puerto Rico.
(Place tic mark in column 4)

Are you ending your trip to the Puerto Rico today?
Yes
No
Thank you. We are only interviewing people at the
end of their trip to the Puerto Rico.
(Place tic mark in column 5)
> Did you do any recreation/tourist
activities on the coral reefs on this visit
to Puerto Rico?
(show recreation/tourist
No
Thank you. We are only interviewing visitors that did
activity Blue Card)
recreation/tourist activities on coral reefs. (Place tic
mark in column 6)
Yes
Will you participate in a
short 15-20 minute
interview about your visit
to Puerto Rico?

Thank you. (Place tic mark in column 7)

Yes

(Place tic mark in column 8)

Site

Date

3
Time
Period

4
Permanent
Resident

5
Non Exit
Visitor

Non Reef
Using
Recreating/
Tourist
Visitor

Reef User
Recreating
Visitor
Refusal or
Language
Barrier

Reef Using
Recreating
Visitor
Interviewed

Blue Card
REEF ACTIVITIES LIST
Number ____________________Water-based Activities_______________________
Snorkeling
100A
Snorkeling from charter/party boat (pay operation and includes snorkeling tours)
101A
Snorkeling from a rental boat
102A
Snorkeling from private boat (your boat or friend or relative’s boat)
10A
Snorkeling from shore

200A
201A
202A
11A

Scuba Diving
Scuba diving from charter/party boat (pay operation)
Scuba diving from a rental boat
Scuba diving from a private boat (your boat or friend or relative’s boat)
Scuba diving from shore

300
301
303

Special Activities while Snorkeling or Scuba Diving
Diving for lobsters
Underwater photography
Spear fishing

404A
405A
406A

407A
408A
409A
410A
14A

Fishing – Inshore or Light Tackle Fishing
Fishing from charter/party boat or guide (pay operation) – inshore or light tackle
Fishing from rental boat – inshore or light tackle
Fishing from a private boat (your boat or friend or relative’s boat) – inshore or light
tackle
Other Fishing
Other fishing from charter boat (pay operation, usually six persons or less)
Other fishing from party or head boat (pay operation, charge per person)
Other fishing from a rental boat
Other fishing from a private boat (your boat or friends or relative’s boat)
Fishing from shore (beach, bank, pier, bridge, jetty, dock)

502A
503
504
505

Viewing Nature and Wildlife
Glass bottom boat rides (pay operation)
Inshore boating excursions (pay operation/guided service/NOT FISHING, including
kayaking)
Viewing nature and wildlife from private or rental boat
Bioluminescent Bays
Ocean kayaking
Whale watching

13A
15A
18A

Other Activities on the Reefs
Surfing
Swimming
Paddle boarding, wind surfing or kite boarding

500A
501A

Economic Valuation of
Puerto Rico’s Coral ReefAssociated Tourism and
Recreation
Sweepstakes Lottery Gifts for Visitors
Grand Prize—in Vieques
Lodging (a room for two for 3 nights) - provided by Esperanza Inn
Dive tour for 2 - provided by Isla Nena Scuba
½ day fishing trip - provided by Vieques Sport Fishing (Capt. J. Ferguson)
Coffee table book (Beneath the Waves) - provided by PR Sea Grant
Reusable Gore Tex shopping bag - provided by Surfrider Foundation Rincón
Children’s Book (Adventures of Pelican) - provided by Jobos Bay National
Estuarine Reserve
Puerto Rico T-shirt - provided by Puerto Rico Tourism Company

First Prize
Dive trip for 2 certified divers from Fajardo reefs - provided by Sea Ventures
Inc.
1/2 day deep sea fishing trip (1/2 price) - from Fajardo - provided by Light
Tackle Paradise (Capt. Marcos Hanke)
Coffee table book (Beneath the Waves) - provided by PR Sea Grant
Reusable Gore Tex shopping bag - provided by Surfrider Foundation Rincón
Children’s Book (Adventures of Pelican) - provided by Jobos Bay National
Estuarine Reserve

Second Prize
1/2 day fishing trip (in-shore) in Cabo Rojo - provided by Light Tackle
Adventures (Capt. Pochy Rosario)
Coffee table book (Beneath the Waves) - provided by PR Sea Grant
Reusable Gore Tex shopping bag - provided by Surfrider Foundation Rincón
Children’s Book (Adventures of Pelican) - provided by Jobos Bay National
Estuarine Reserve
Puerto Rico T-shirt - provided by Puerto Rico Tourism Company

Consolation Prizes
Reusable Gore Tex shopping bag - provided by Surfrider Foundation Rincón
Puerto Rico T-shirt - provided by Puerto Rico Tourism Company
National Geographic Society logo shopping bag - provided by National
Geographic Society
Book (On Assignment ) - provided by National Geographic Society

Sweepstakes Lottery is being
conducted by Ridge to Reefs, Inc.
For Further information, contact:
Glenis Padilla Plaza (Project Lead) University
of Puerto Rico – Mayagüez Campus
Telephone: (787) 508-2475
[email protected]

Green Card
RESPONDENT CARD
ABOUT THE INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE STATEMENT
Your participation in this interview is voluntary. There are no penalties for not answering some
or all of the questions, but since each interviewed person will represent many others not
interviewed, your cooperation is extremely important. This study is being conducted by the
University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez Puerto Rico Sea Grant, the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Uses of the
information include the evaluation of present recreation uses and planning for future visitation.
At the end of the study any materials identifying you as an individual will be destroyed.
This is a cooperative research project of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Public
reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 4 minutes including
time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the
data need, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments
regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including
suggestions for reducing this burden, to U.S. Department of Commerce, Clearance Officer,
Office of Chief Information Officer, Rm. 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington,
DC 20230. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the law, no person is required to respond to,
nor shall any person be subject to penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information
subject to requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of information
displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.
SECTION 1: Primary Purpose of Trip to Puerto Rico
A
B
C
D
E

Recreation or vacation
Visit family or friends
Business trip
Business and pleasure
Other (specify)

SECTION 2: Race (Select All that Apply)
A
B
C
D
E

White
Black or African American
American Indian or Alaska Native
Asian
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

SECTION 3: HOUSEHOLD INCOME CATEGORIES (Annual Income before taxes)
A
I
B
C
D
E
F

Less than $5,000
$40,000 to $44,999
$5,000 to $9,999
$10,000 to $14,999
$15,000 to $19,999
$20,000 to $24,999
$25,000 to $29,999

G
H
J
K
L
M
N

$30,000 to $39,999
O $150,000 or more
$35,000 to $39,999
$45,000 to $49,999
$50,000 to $59,999
$60,000 to $74,999
$75,000 to $99,999
$100,000 to $149,999

OMB Approval #: 0648-07130
Expiration Date: 4/30/2018

On-site Survey – Version 1a
On-site Survey Number:

Screening Criteria: 1) Visiting PR and did reef activities
(See Tally Sheet)
2) Meets Exit condition

Site: __________________________________
Month

Day

Time

Number of People in Party: ______ (# of people)

(a) How many people in your party are ages 18 or older? ______ (# of People)
(b) How many people in your party are under 18?) _____ (# of People)

Where is your primary residence?

City or Nearest City

County

State

Zip Code

Country:
U.S.A
Canada
Mexico
Central Am./South Am.

Australia/Oceania
Japan
Other Far East
United Kingdom

Other Europe
Middle East
Africa
Other

On this trip to the Puerto Rico, when did you first arrive?
Month

Day

Time

Including this trip, how many times have you visited Puerto Rico for all recreation/tourist reef activities in
the last 12 months, that is since (date last year)?
Times
5.

Including this trip, how many days have you spent in Puerto Rico where you did some recreation/
tourist reef activities in the last 12 months?
Days
If overnight visitor, hand respondent maps of Puerto Rico. If not overnight visitor, skip to next section.

Looking at the map, could you tell me how many nights you spent on this trip to Puerto Rico in
Region 1

Region 2
# nights

Region 3
# nights

Region 4
# nights

Region 5
# nights

# nights

Interviewer: Make sure if answer to Q.4. is greater than one, that answer to Q.6. is not equal to Q.5.

Page 1

Part B: C o r a l reef use in the Puerto Rico during this trip.
Hand respondent Blue Card with Activities List for reef use and maps of the Puerto Rico Regions
B1.

Which activities did you or someone in your household do on natural/coral reefs during this trip
in northwest Puerto Rico (Region 1), southwest Puerto Rico (Region 2), southeast Puerto Rico
(Region 3), northeast Puerto Rico (Region 4) and the islands of Culebra and Vieques (Region
5)?
If respondent did not do anything in a region, check the box indicating no reef use in the region

B2.

Did you, yourself, do (read activity) during this trip in Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4,
Region 5.

B3.

How many others in your party did each activity on the reefs in Region 1, Region 2, Region 3,
Region 4, Region 5 during the past 12 months?

B4.

On how many different days did you, yourself, participate in each activity on the reefs in
Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4, Region 5 during this trip?
Note: Count any part of a day as a whole day for each activity.

B5.

How many different dives did you, yourself, make for each type of diving activity you did on the
reefs in Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4, Region 5 during this trip?
Diving activities include all snorkeling and scuba diving activities on the Blue Card-Activities List (Reef)
A dive is defined as an entry and exit from the water to snorkel or scuba dive

Please refer to Questions B1 – B5 when filling in the tables on the following two pages
There is one table for each of the five regions of the Puerto Rico
(Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4, Region 5)

Interview Number:

No Reef Use

Region 1

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Respondent
# of days

No Reef Use

Respondent
# dives

Region 2

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Respondent
# of days

No Reef Use

B5
Respondent
# of dives

Region 3

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Respondent
# of days

Page 3

B5
Respondent
# of dives

Interview Number:

No Reef Use
B1
Activity

B2
Resp.

Region 4
B3
#
Others

B4
B5
Respondent Respondent
# days
# of dives
# days

No Reef Use

Region 5

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Page 4

Respondent Respondent
# of days # of dives

Part C. Economic Valuation of Puerto Rico’s Coral Reef Ecosystems
In this section of the survey, I will first present to you some definitions and scientific facts about
Puerto Rico’s coral reef ecosystems. I will then present you with different reef conditions and the cost
to your household to achieve those conditions. I will then ask you to choose among a set of different
conditions and the cost to your household.
First, here are some definitions of what we mean by coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems.
Hand respondent the Reef Definitions and Conditions Information Card.

Please read the Reef Definitions and Conditions Card.

C1. Do you have any questions about these definitions or reef conditions?

After answering questions, show respondent cards with examples of the kinds of stony corals,
soft corals, sponges, fish and macroinvertebrates that have been observed on Puerto Rico’s coral
reef ecosystems.
After respondent finishes viewing the cards, present the Management Solutions card.
Please read the information on the card and tell me when you are done.
C2. Do you have any questions before we proceed?

After answering respondents questions, proceed.
C3. Did you believe the information by coral scientists that in 10 to 20 years if current management practices continue
that nearly all the coral reefs in Puerto Rico would be in a poor or low condition?
a. Yes
b. No (Go to C4)
C4. If we don’t change current management practices (Status Quo), do you think that the coral reefs conditions in 10 to
20 years in Puerto Rico will
a. Stay the same
b. Improve
c. Worsen
I now will present to you a set of reef conditions at different prices and will ask you for your most preferred option.

The Status Quo means no change in the management of the coral reef ecosystems and choosing this option will cost
your household nothing ($0), but will result in the poorest or lowest conditions of coral reef ecosystems on all Puerto
Rico’s coral reefs, except a few places that are already specially protected.
In each set of options, you will always have the option of choosing the Status Quo as your most preferred option.
Remember when making your choices on how much you are willing to pay that you only have so much income and if
you pay to improve reef conditions you will have less to spend on other goods, services, and social issues that are
important to you.
Also, even under the low conditions there are three coral reefs within Puerto Rico that have strong protections that
you could use, in addition to coral reefs outside Puerto Rico.

Hand the respondent the card with Choice Set Number 1.
Please review the three options. Option A is the Status Quo and costs you Nothing, but all reef conditions are in a low
condition. For Option B, all the reef conditions are at a medium level of condition and will cost your household $500
per trip. For Option C, all reef conditions are improved to the highest condition and will cost your household $1,000
per trip.
C5. Which option do you prefer? _______
C6. How many days would you use Puerto Rico’s Coral Reefs under the reef conditions for the option you prefer?
_________ (number of days per year)
C7. Please provide a brief comment that helps us understand why you chose the option as your most preferred
option? __________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Hand respondent the Economic Valuations Card

C8. How sure are you that the option you chose as your most preferred among the three options is your most
preferred, not sure at all, slightly sure, moderately sure, very sure, or extremely sure? Please refer to Section 1 of the
Economics Valuation Card and tell me the letter corresponding to your answer. Select one answer only.
______ (letter)

Hand respondent the card with Choice Set Number 2.
Please review the three options. Option A is the Status Quo and costs you Nothing, but all reef conditions are in a low
condition. For Option B, some reef conditions are at a medium level and some at the high level of condition and will
cost your household $750 per trip. For Option C, some reef conditions are at the medium level and some are
improved to the highest condition and this will cost your household $750 per trip.

C9. Which option do you prefer? _______
C10. How many days would you use Puerto Rico’s Coral Reefs under the reef conditions for the option you prefer?
_________ (number of days per year)
C11. Please provide a brief comment that helps us understand why you chose the option as your most preferred
option? _____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
C12. How sure are you that the option you chose as your most preferred among the three options is your most
preferred, not sure at all, slightly sure, moderately sure, very sure, or extremely sure? Please refer to Section 1 of the
Economics Valuation Card and tell me the letter corresponding to your answer. Select one answer only.
_____(letter)
C13. Did you understand that the dollar amount for each alternative was the per trip cost to your household?
a. Yes
b. No
C14. There are different ways for people to pay for new programs to protect the environment. One way is for the
government to pay the cost. This will raise everyone’s taxes. The other way is for businesses to pay the cost. This
will make prices go up for everyone. Another way is for the government to create incentives for investment in
environmental protection. Still another way is for businesses to pay the cost. This will make prices go up for
everyone.
If you had to choose, would you prefer to pay for new environmental programs through higher taxes, the cost of
incentives to businesses and households, or through higher prices? Please refer to Section 2 of the Economics
Valuation Card and tell me the letter corresponding to your answer. Select one answer only.
___ (letter)
C15. Who do you think should manage the additional funding obtained for reef management?
___ The Federal government ___ the Territorial government ____ Non Government Organization like The Nature
Conservancy or Protectores de Cuencas, a local organization ___ Other (Specify _________________
C16. Would you say you think of yourself as not an environmentalist at all, slightly an environmentalist, a moderate
environmentalist, a strong environmentalist or a very strong environmentalist? Please refer to Section 2 of the
Economics Valuation Card and tell me the letter corresponding to your answer. Select on answer only. ___ (letter)

C17. We would like to learn more about how you reacted to the questions that asked you to choose between various
options of reef conditions. Please refer to Section 4 of the Economics Valuation Card. As I read each statement tell
me the letter corresponding to your answer.

Check the box corresponding to the respondent’s answer for each statement.
Statement

Strongly Somewhat Neither
Disagree Disagree
agree
(a)
(b)
nor
disagree
(c)

Somewhat Strongly
Agree
Agree
(d)
(e)

Costs should not be a factor when
protecting the environment.
I found it difficult to select an option of reef
conditions I preferred.
I was concerned that the Puerto Rico
government cannot effectively
Manage coral reefs.
I should not have to pay more to protect or
restore coral reefs in Puerto Rico.
The public’s views as expressed in this
survey should be important to the Puerto
Rico government when it chooses how to
manage coral reefs.
I understood the different alternatives
presented in each choice question.
The different reef attribute levels in each
alternative were clear and I was able to
distinguish the difference across the “Status
Quo” and alternatives B and C in making my
choice.
The illustrations of coral reef conditions
helped me distinguish the low, medium and
high conditions for all reef attributes.
The pictures of different levels of crowding
helped me distinguish low, medium and high
crowding conditions.
The government should use incentives to
businesses and households to pay for
environmental protections instead of

D1.

regulations that result in higher prices or
taxes to businesses and households.

C18. What condition are the reefs in that you personally visit or use?
a. Low
b. Medium
c. High
C19. How certain are you that additional funding would achieve the goals of protecting the environment? Please refer
to Section 5 of the Economic Valuation Card and tell me the letter corresponding to your answer. Select one answer
only. ___ (letter)
C20. Please provide us any other comments you would like to make to help us understand your views about coral
reefs in Puerto Rico and your responses to this survey.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Go to Part D: Demographics
Part D: Demographic Profile
In this final section, we need to know information about you and your household to make sure we have a representative
sample of Puerto Rico visitors.
Again, your privacy will be protected and any information identifying you or your household will not be revealed to
anyone.

Hand respondent Green Card
Please refer to Section 2 on your green card and tell me which reason best describes the primary purpose
of your trip to the Puerto Rico.
A
B

Recreation or vacation
Visit family or friends

C
D

Business trip
Business/pleasure

Other (specify)

Finally, for statistical purposes, we need to know a few things about yourself.
D2.

In what year were you born? (Code last two digits)

D3.

Sex

D4.

Are you Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino?

male

female
Yes

No
9

D5.

D6.

Please refer to Section 3 on your green card and tell me the letters corresponding to all the descriptors that
describe your race.
A __ White
B __ Black or African American
C __ American Indian or Alaskan Native
D __ Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
Please refer to Section 4 on your green card and tell me which of the income categories best describes your
annual household income last year before taxes. Please give the letter on the card that is the closest.
a

refused

Thank You that is the end of our Survey.
If you would like to be included in the sweepstakes/lottery, if you could provide us contact information to award the prizes.
Telephone ____________________

e-mail _________________________________

Mailing address: _________________________________________________________________________________

OMB Approval #: 0648-07130
Expiration Date: 4/30/2018

On-site Survey – Version 1b
On-site Survey Number:

Screening Criteria: 1) Visiting PR and did reef activities
(See Tally Sheet)
2) Meets Exit condition

Site: __________________________________
Month

Day

Time

Number of People in Party: ______ (# of people)

(a) How many people in your party are ages 18 or older? ______ (# of People)
(b) How many people in your party are under 18?) _____ (# of People)

Where is your primary residence?

City or Nearest City

County

State

Zip Code

Country:
U.S.A
Canada
Mexico
Central Am./South Am.

Australia/Oceania
Japan
Other Far East
United Kingdom

Other Europe
Middle East
Africa
Other

On this trip to the Puerto Rico, when did you first arrive?
Month

Day

Time

Including this trip, how many times have you visited Puerto Rico for all recreation/tourist reef activities in
the last 12 months, that is since (date last year)?
Times
5.

Looking at the map, could you tell me how many nights you spent on this trip to Puerto Rico in
Region 1

Region 2
# nights

Region 3
# nights

Region 4
# nights

Region 5
# nights

# nights

Interviewer: Make sure if answer to Q.4. is greater than one, that answer to Q.6. is not equal to Q.5.

Page 1

Part B: C o r a l reef use in the Puerto Rico during this trip.
Hand respondent Blue Card with Activities List for reef use and maps of the Puerto Rico Regions
B1.

B2.

Did you, yourself, do (read activity) during this trip in Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4,
Region 5.

B3.

How many others in your party did each activity on the reefs in Region 1, Region 2, Region 3,
Region 4, Region 5 during the past 12 months?

B4.

B5.

Interview Number:

No Reef Use

Region 1

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Respondent
# of days

No Reef Use

Respondent
# dives

Region 2

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Respondent
# of days

No Reef Use

B5
Respondent
# of dives

Region 3

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Respondent
# of days

Page 3

B5
Respondent
# of dives

Interview Number:

No Reef Use
B1
Activity

B2
Resp.

Region 4
B3
#
Others

B4
B5
Respondent Respondent
# days
# of dives
# days

No Reef Use

Region 5

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Page 4

Respondent Respondent
# of days # of dives

Please read the Reef Definitions and Conditions Card.

C1. Do you have any questions about these definitions or reef conditions?

Hand the respondent the card with Choice Set Number 1.
Please review the three options. Option A is the Status Quo and costs you Nothing, but all reef conditions are in a low
condition. For Option B, some reef conditions are at the low level and some at the high level of condition and will
cost your household $500 per trip. For Option C, some reef conditions are at the low level some are improved to the
highest condition and this will cost your household $500 per trip.
C5. Which option do you prefer? _______
C6. How many days would you use Puerto Rico’s Coral Reefs under the reef conditions for the option you prefer?
_________ (number of days per year)
C7. Please provide a brief comment that helps us understand why you chose the option as your most preferred
option? __________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Hand respondent the Economic Valuations Card

Hand respondent the card with Choice Set Number 2.
Please review the three options. Option A is the Status Quo and costs you Nothing, but all reef conditions are in a low
condition. For Option B, some reef conditions are at a low level and some at the medium level of condition and
will cost your household $250 per trip. For Option C, some reef conditions are at the medium level and some are
the low condition and this will cost your household $250 per trip.

Check the box corresponding to the respondent’s answer for each statement.
Statement

Strongly Somewhat Neither
Disagree Disagree
agree
(a)
(b)
nor
disagree
(c)

Somewhat Strongly
Agree
Agree
(d)
(e)

D1.

regulations that result in higher prices or
taxes to businesses and households.

Hand respondent Green Card
Please refer to Section 2 on your green card and tell me which reason best describes the primary purpose
of your trip to the Puerto Rico.
A
B

Recreation or vacation
Visit family or friends

C
D

Business trip
Business/pleasure

Other (specify)

Finally, for statistical purposes, we need to know a few things about yourself.
D2.

In what year were you born? (Code last two digits)

D3.

Sex

D4.

Are you Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino?

male

female
Yes

No
9

D5.

D6.

refused

Thank You that is the end of our Survey.
If you would like to be included in the sweepstakes/lottery, if you could provide us contact information to award the prizes.
Telephone ____________________

e-mail _________________________________

Mailing address: _________________________________________________________________________________

OMB Approval #: 0648-07130
Expiration Date: 4/30/2018

On-site Survey – Version 2a
On-site Survey Number:

Screening Criteria: 1) Visiting PR and did reef activities
(See Tally Sheet)
2) Meets Exit condition

Site: __________________________________
Month

Day

Time

Number of People in Party: ______ (# of people)

(a) How many people in your party are ages 18 or older? ______ (# of People)
(b) How many people in your party are under 18?) _____ (# of People)

Where is your primary residence?

City or Nearest City

County

State

Zip Code

Country:
U.S.A
Canada
Mexico
Central Am./South Am.

Australia/Oceania
Japan
Other Far East
United Kingdom

Other Europe
Middle East
Africa
Other

On this trip to the Puerto Rico, when did you first arrive?
Month

Day

Time

Including this trip, how many times have you visited Puerto Rico for all recreation/tourist reef activities in
the last 12 months, that is since (date last year)?
Times
5.

Looking at the map, could you tell me how many nights you spent on this trip to Puerto Rico in
Region 1

Region 2
# nights

Region 3
# nights

Region 4
# nights

Region 5
# nights

# nights

Interviewer: Make sure if answer to Q.4. is greater than one, that answer to Q.6. is not equal to Q.5.

Page 1

Part B: C o r a l reef use in the Puerto Rico during this trip.
Hand respondent Blue Card with Activities List for reef use and maps of the Puerto Rico Regions
B1.

B2.

Did you, yourself, do (read activity) during this trip in Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4,
Region 5.

B3.

How many others in your party did each activity on the reefs in Region 1, Region 2, Region 3,
Region 4, Region 5 during the past 12 months?

B4.

B5.

Interview Number:

No Reef Use

Region 1

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Respondent
# of days

No Reef Use

Respondent
# dives

Region 2

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Respondent
# of days

No Reef Use

B5
Respondent
# of dives

Region 3

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Respondent
# of days

Page 3

B5
Respondent
# of dives

Interview Number:

No Reef Use
B1
Activity

B2
Resp.

Region 4
B3
#
Others

B4
B5
Respondent Respondent
# days
# of dives
# days

No Reef Use

Region 5

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Page 4

Respondent Respondent
# of days # of dives

Please read the Reef Definitions and Conditions Card.

C1. Do you have any questions about these definitions or reef conditions?

Hand the respondent the card with Choice Set Number 1.
Please review the three options. Option A is the Status Quo and costs you Nothing, but all reef conditions are in a low
condition. For Option B, all the reef conditions are at a medium level of condition and will cost your household $250
per trip. For Option C, all reef conditions are improved to the highest condition and will cost your household $500 per
trip.
C5. Which option do you prefer? _______
C6. How many days would you use Puerto Rico’s Coral Reefs under the reef conditions for the option you prefer?
_________ (number of days per year)
C7. Please provide a brief comment that helps us understand why you chose the option as your most preferred
option? __________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Hand respondent the Economic Valuations Card

Hand respondent the card with Choice Set Number 2.
Please review the three options. Option A is the Status Quo and costs you Nothing, but all reef conditions are in a low
condition. For Option B, some reef conditions are at a medium level and some at the high level of condition and will
cost your household $375 per trip. For Option C, some reef conditions are at the medium level and some are
improved to the highest condition and this will cost your household $375 per trip.

Check the box corresponding to the respondent’s answer for each statement.
Statement

Strongly Somewhat Neither
Disagree Disagree
agree
(a)
(b)
nor
disagree
(c)

Somewhat Strongly
Agree
Agree
(d)
(e)

D1.

regulations that result in higher prices or
taxes to businesses and households.

Hand respondent Green Card
Please refer to Section 2 on your green card and tell me which reason best describes the primary purpose
of your trip to the Puerto Rico.
A
B

Recreation or vacation
Visit family or friends

C
D

Business trip
Business/pleasure

Other (specify)

Finally, for statistical purposes, we need to know a few things about yourself.
D2.

In what year were you born? (Code last two digits)

D3.

Sex

D4.

Are you Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino?

male

female
Yes

No
9

D5.

D6.

refused

Thank You that is the end of our Survey.
If you would like to be included in the sweepstakes/lottery, if you could provide us contact information to award the prizes.
Telephone ____________________

e-mail _________________________________

Mailing address: _________________________________________________________________________________

OMB Approval #: 0648-07130
Expiration Date: 4/30/2018

On-site Survey – Version 2b
On-site Survey Number:

Screening Criteria: 1) Visiting PR and did reef activities
(See Tally Sheet)
2) Meets Exit condition

Site: __________________________________
Month

Day

Time

Number of People in Party: ______ (# of people)

(a) How many people in your party are ages 18 or older? ______ (# of People)
(b) How many people in your party are under 18?) _____ (# of People)

Where is your primary residence?

City or Nearest City

County

State

Zip Code

Country:
U.S.A
Canada
Mexico
Central Am./South Am.

Australia/Oceania
Japan
Other Far East
United Kingdom

Other Europe
Middle East
Africa
Other

On this trip to the Puerto Rico, when did you first arrive?
Month

Day

Time

Including this trip, how many times have you visited Puerto Rico for all recreation/tourist reef activities in
the last 12 months, that is since (date last year)?
Times
5.

Looking at the map, could you tell me how many nights you spent on this trip to Puerto Rico in
Region 1

Region 2
# nights

Region 3
# nights

Region 4
# nights

Region 5
# nights

# nights

Interviewer: Make sure if answer to Q.4. is greater than one, that answer to Q.6. is not equal to Q.5.

Page 1

Part B: C o r a l reef use in the Puerto Rico during this trip.
Hand respondent Blue Card with Activities List for reef use and maps of the Puerto Rico Regions
B1.

B2.

Did you, yourself, do (read activity) during this trip in Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4,
Region 5.

B3.

How many others in your party did each activity on the reefs in Region 1, Region 2, Region 3,
Region 4, Region 5 during the past 12 months?

B4.

B5.

Interview Number:

No Reef Use

Region 1

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Respondent
# of days

No Reef Use

Respondent
# dives

Region 2

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Respondent
# of days

No Reef Use

B5
Respondent
# of dives

Region 3

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Respondent
# of days

Page 3

B5
Respondent
# of dives

Interview Number:

No Reef Use
B1
Activity

B2
Resp.

Region 4
B3
#
Others

B4
B5
Respondent Respondent
# days
# of dives
# days

No Reef Use

Region 5

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Page 4

Respondent Respondent
# of days # of dives

Please read the Reef Definitions and Conditions Card.

C1. Do you have any questions about these definitions or reef conditions?

Hand the respondent the card with Choice Set Number 1.
Please review the three options. Option A is the Status Quo and costs you Nothing, but all reef conditions are in a low
condition. For Option B, some reef conditions are at a low level and some at the high level of condition and will
cost your household $250 per trip. For Option C, some reef conditions are at the low level and some are improved
to the highest condition and this will cost your household $250 per trip.
C5. Which option do you prefer? _______
C6. How many days would you use Puerto Rico’s Coral Reefs under the reef conditions for the option you prefer?
_________ (number of days per year)
C7. Please provide a brief comment that helps us understand why you chose the option as your most preferred
option? __________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Hand respondent the Economic Valuations Card

Hand respondent the card with Choice Set Number 2.
Please review the three options. Option A is the Status Quo and costs you Nothing, but all reef conditions are in a low
condition. For Option B, some reef conditions are at a low level and some at the medium level of condition and
will cost your household $125 per trip. For Option C, some reef conditions are at the medium level and some are
the low condition and this will cost your household $125 per trip.

Check the box corresponding to the respondent’s answer for each statement.
Statement

Strongly Somewhat Neither
Disagree Disagree
agree
(a)
(b)
nor
disagree
(c)

Somewhat Strongly
Agree
Agree
(d)
(e)

D1.

regulations that result in higher prices or
taxes to businesses and households.

Hand respondent Green Card
Please refer to Section 2 on your green card and tell me which reason best describes the primary purpose
of your trip to the Puerto Rico.
A
B

Recreation or vacation
Visit family or friends

C
D

Business trip
Business/pleasure

Other (specify)

Finally, for statistical purposes, we need to know a few things about yourself.
D2.

In what year were you born? (Code last two digits)

D3.

Sex

D4.

Are you Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino?

male

female
Yes

No
9

D5.

D6.

refused

Thank You that is the end of our Survey.
If you would like to be included in the sweepstakes/lottery, if you could provide us contact information to award the prizes.
Telephone ____________________

e-mail _________________________________

Mailing address: _________________________________________________________________________________

OMB Approval #: 0648-07130
Expiration Date: 4/30/2018

On-site Survey – Version 3a
On-site Survey Number:

Screening Criteria: 1) Visiting PR and did reef activities
(See Tally Sheet)
2) Meets Exit condition

Site: __________________________________
Month

Day

Time

Number of People in Party: ______ (# of people)

(a) How many people in your party are ages 186 or older? ______ (# of People)
(b) How many people in your party are under 18?) _____ (# of People)

Where is your primary residence?

City or Nearest City

County

State

Zip Code

Country:
U.S.A
Canada
Mexico
Central Am./South Am.

Australia/Oceania
Japan
Other Far East
United Kingdom

Other Europe
Middle East
Africa
Other

On this trip to the Puerto Rico, when did you first arrive?
Month

Day

Time

Including this trip, how many times have you visited Puerto Rico for all recreation/tourist reef activities in
the last 12 months, that is since (date last year)?
Times
5.

Looking at the map, could you tell me how many nights you spent on this trip to Puerto Rico in
Region 1

Region 2
# nights

Region 3
# nights

Region 4
# nights

Region 5
# nights

# nights

Interviewer: Make sure if answer to Q.4. is greater than one, that answer to Q.6. is not equal to Q.5.

Page 1

Part B: C o r a l reef use in the Puerto Rico during this trip.
Hand respondent Blue Card with Activities List for reef use and maps of the Puerto Rico Regions
B1.

B2.

Did you, yourself, do (read activity) during this trip in Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4,
Region 5.

B3.

How many others in your party did each activity on the reefs in Region 1, Region 2, Region 3,
Region 4, Region 5 during the past 12 months?

B4.

B5.

Interview Number:

No Reef Use

Region 1

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Respondent
# of days

No Reef Use

Respondent
# dives

Region 2

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Respondent
# of days

No Reef Use

B5
Respondent
# of dives

Region 3

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Respondent
# of days

Page 3

B5
Respondent
# of dives

Interview Number:

No Reef Use
B1
Activity

B2
Resp.

Region 4
B3
#
Others

B4
B5
Respondent Respondent
# days
# of dives
# days

No Reef Use

Region 5

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Page 4

Respondent Respondent
# of days # of dives

Please read the Reef Definitions and Conditions Card.

C1. Do you have any questions about these definitions or reef conditions?

Hand the respondent the card with Choice Set Number 1.
Please review the three options. Option A is the Status Quo and costs you Nothing, but all reef conditions are in a low
condition. For Option B, all the reef conditions are at a medium level of condition and will cost your household
$125 per trip. For Option C, all reef conditions are improved to the highest condition and will cost your
household$250 per trip.
C5. Which option do you prefer? _______
C6. How many days would you use Puerto Rico’s Coral Reefs under the reef conditions for the option you prefer?
_________ (number of days per year)
C7. Please provide a brief comment that helps us understand why you chose the option as your most preferred
option? __________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Hand respondent the Economic Valuations Card

Hand respondent the card with Choice Set Number 2.
Please review the three options. Option A is the Status Quo and costs you Nothing, but all reef conditions are in a low
condition. For Option B, some reef conditions are at a medium level and some at the high level of condition and
will cost your household $190 per trip. For Option C, some reef conditions are at the medium level and some are
improved to the highest condition and this will cost your household $190 per trip.

Check the box corresponding to the respondent’s answer for each statement.
Statement

Strongly Somewhat Neither
Disagree Disagree
agree
(a)
(b)
nor
disagree
(c)

Somewhat Strongly
Agree
Agree
(d)
(e)

D1.

regulations that result in higher prices or
taxes to businesses and households.

Hand respondent Green Card
Please refer to Section 2 on your green card and tell me which reason best describes the primary purpose
of your trip to the Puerto Rico.
A
B

Recreation or vacation
Visit family or friends

C
D

Business trip
Business/pleasure

Other (specify)

Finally, for statistical purposes, we need to know a few things about yourself.
D2.

In what year were you born? (Code last two digits)

D3.

Sex

D4.

Are you Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino?

male

female
Yes

No
9

D5.

D6.

refused

Thank You that is the end of our Survey.
If you would like to be included in the sweepstakes/lottery, if you could provide us contact information to award the prizes.
Telephone ____________________

e-mail _________________________________

Mailing address: _________________________________________________________________________________

OMB Approval #: 0648-07130
Expiration Date: 4/30/2018

On-site Survey – Version 3b
On-site Survey Number:

Screening Criteria: 1) Visiting PR and did reef activities
(See Tally Sheet)
2) Meets Exit condition

Site: __________________________________
Month

Day

Time

Number of People in Party: ______ (# of people)

(a) How many people in your party are ages 18 or older? ______ (# of People)
(b) How many people in your party are under 18?) _____ (# of People)

Where is your primary residence?

City or Nearest City

County

State

Zip Code

Country:
U.S.A
Canada
Mexico
Central Am./South Am.

Australia/Oceania
Japan
Other Far East
United Kingdom

Other Europe
Middle East
Africa
Other

On this trip to the Puerto Rico, when did you first arrive?
Month

Day

Time

Including this trip, how many times have you visited Puerto Rico for all recreation/tourist reef activities in
the last 12 months, that is since (date last year)?
Times
5.

Looking at the map, could you tell me how many nights you spent on this trip to Puerto Rico in
Region 1

Region 2
# nights

Region 3
# nights

Region 4
# nights

Region 5
# nights

# nights

Interviewer: Make sure if answer to Q.4. is greater than one, that answer to Q.6. is not equal to Q.5.

Page 1

Part B: C o r a l reef use in the Puerto Rico during this trip.
Hand respondent Blue Card with Activities List for reef use and maps of the Puerto Rico Regions
B1.

B2.

Did you, yourself, do (read activity) during this trip in Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4,
Region 5.

B3.

How many others in your party did each activity on the reefs in Region 1, Region 2, Region 3,
Region 4, Region 5 during the past 12 months?

B4.

B5.

Interview Number:

No Reef Use

Region 1

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Respondent
# of days

No Reef Use

Respondent
# dives

Region 2

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Respondent
# of days

No Reef Use

B5
Respondent
# of dives

Region 3

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Respondent
# of days

Page 3

B5
Respondent
# of dives

Interview Number:

No Reef Use
B1
Activity

B2
Resp.

Region 4
B3
#
Others

B4
B5
Respondent Respondent
# days
# of dives
# days

No Reef Use

Region 5

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Page 4

Respondent Respondent
# of days # of dives

Please read the Reef Definitions and Conditions Card.

C1. Do you have any questions about these definitions or reef conditions?

Hand the respondent the card with Choice Set Number 1.
Please review the three options. Option A is the Status Quo and costs you Nothing, but all reef conditions are in a low
condition. For Option B, some reef conditions are at a low level and some at the high level of condition and will
cost your household $125 per trip. For Option C, some reef conditions are at the low level and some are improved
to the highest condition and this will cost your household $125 per trip.
C5. Which option do you prefer? _______
C6. How many days would you use Puerto Rico’s Coral Reefs under the reef conditions for the option you prefer?
_________ (number of days per year)
C7. Please provide a brief comment that helps us understand why you chose the option as your most preferred
option? __________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Hand respondent the Economic Valuations Card

Hand respondent the card with Choice Set Number 2.
Please review the three options. Option A is the Status Quo and costs you Nothing, but all reef conditions are in a low
condition. For Option B, some reef conditions are at a low level and some at the medium level of condition and
will cost your household $60 per trip. For Option C, some reef conditions are at the medium level and some are the
low condition and this will cost your household $60 per trip.

Check the box corresponding to the respondent’s answer for each statement.
Statement

Strongly Somewhat Neither
Disagree Disagree
agree
(a)
(b)
nor
disagree
(c)

Somewhat Strongly
Agree
Agree
(d)
(e)

D1.

regulations that result in higher prices or
taxes to businesses and households.

Hand respondent Green Card
Please refer to Section 2 on your green card and tell me which reason best describes the primary purpose
of your trip to the Puerto Rico.
A
B

Recreation or vacation
Visit family or friends

C
D

Business trip
Business/pleasure

Other (specify)

Finally, for statistical purposes, we need to know a few things about yourself.
D2.

In what year were you born? (Code last two digits)

D3.

Sex

D4.

Are you Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino?

male

female
Yes

No
9

D5.

D6.

refused

Thank You that is the end of our Survey.
If you would like to be included in the sweepstakes/lottery, if you could provide us contact information to award the prizes.
Telephone ____________________

e-mail _________________________________

Mailing address: _________________________________________________________________________________

OMB Approval #: 0648-07130
Expiration Date: 4/30/2018

On-site Survey – Version 4a
On-site Survey Number:

Screening Criteria: 1) Visiting PR and did reef activities
(See Tally Sheet)
2) Meets Exit condition

Site: __________________________________
Month

Day

Time

Number of People in Party: ______ (# of people)

(a) How many people in your party are ages 18 or older? ______ (# of People)
(b) How many people in your party are under 18?) _____ (# of People)

Where is your primary residence?

City or Nearest City

County

State

Zip Code

Country:
U.S.A
Canada
Mexico
Central Am./South Am.

Australia/Oceania
Japan
Other Far East
United Kingdom

Other Europe
Middle East
Africa
Other

On this trip to the Puerto Rico, when did you first arrive?
Month

Day

Time

Including this trip, how many times have you visited Puerto Rico for all recreation/tourist reef activities in
the last 12 months, that is since (date last year)?
Times
5.

Looking at the map, could you tell me how many nights you spent on this trip to Puerto Rico in
Region 1

Region 2
# nights

Region 3
# nights

Region 4
# nights

Region 5
# nights

# nights

Interviewer: Make sure if answer to Q.4. is greater than one, that answer to Q.6. is not equal to Q.5.

Page 1

Part B: C o r a l reef use in the Puerto Rico during this trip.
Hand respondent Blue Card with Activities List for reef use and maps of the Puerto Rico Regions
B1.

B2.

Did you, yourself, do (read activity) during this trip in Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4,
Region 5.

B3.

How many others in your party did each activity on the reefs in Region 1, Region 2, Region 3,
Region 4, Region 5 during the past 12 months?

B4.

B5.

Interview Number:

No Reef Use

Region 1

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Respondent
# of days

No Reef Use

Respondent
# dives

Region 2

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Respondent
# of days

No Reef Use

B5
Respondent
# of dives

Region 3

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Respondent
# of days

Page 3

B5
Respondent
# of dives

Interview Number:

No Reef Use
B1
Activity

B2
Resp.

Region 4
B3
#
Others

B4
B5
Respondent Respondent
# days
# of dives
# days

No Reef Use

Region 5

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Page 4

Respondent Respondent
# of days # of dives

Please read the Reef Definitions and Conditions Card.

C1. Do you have any questions about these definitions or reef conditions?

Hand the respondent the card with Choice Set Number 1.
Please review the three options. Option A is the Status Quo and costs you Nothing, but all reef conditions are in a low
condition. For Option B, all the reef conditions are at a medium level of condition and will cost your household $60
per trip. For Option C, all reef conditions are improved to the highest condition and will cost your household $125
per trip.
C5. Which option do you prefer? _______
C6. How many days would you use Puerto Rico’s Coral Reefs under the reef conditions for the option you prefer?
_________ (number of days per year)
C7. Please provide a brief comment that helps us understand why you chose the option as your most preferred
option? __________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Hand respondent the Economic Valuations Card

Hand respondent the card with Choice Set Number 2.
Please review the three options. Option A is the Status Quo and costs you Nothing, but all reef conditions are in a low
condition. For Option B, some reef conditions are at a medium level and some at the high level of condition and
will cost your household $95 per trip. For Option C, some reef conditions are at the medium level and some are
improved to the highest condition and this will cost your household $95 per trip.

Check the box corresponding to the respondent’s answer for each statement.
Statement

Strongly Somewhat Neither
Disagree Disagree
agree
(a)
(b)
nor
disagree
(c)

Somewhat Strongly
Agree
Agree
(d)
(e)

D1.

regulations that result in higher prices or
taxes to businesses and households.

Hand respondent Green Card
Please refer to Section 2 on your green card and tell me which reason best describes the primary purpose
of your trip to the Puerto Rico.
A
B

Recreation or vacation
Visit family or friends

C
D

Business trip
Business/pleasure

Other (specify)

Finally, for statistical purposes, we need to know a few things about yourself.
D2.

In what year were you born? (Code last two digits)

D3.

Sex

D4.

Are you Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino?

male

female
Yes

No
9

D5.

D6.

refused

Thank You that is the end of our Survey.
If you would like to be included in the sweepstakes/lottery, if you could provide us contact information to award the prizes.
Telephone ____________________

e-mail _________________________________

Mailing address: _________________________________________________________________________________

OMB Approval #: 0648-07130
Expiration Date: 4/30/2018

On-site Survey – Version 4b
On-site Survey Number:

Screening Criteria: 1) Visiting PR and did reef activities
(See Tally Sheet)
2) Meets Exit condition

Site: __________________________________
Month

Day

Time

Number of People in Party: ______ (# of people)

(a) How many people in your party are ages 18 or older? ______ (# of People)
(b) How many people in your party are under 18?) _____ (# of People)

Where is your primary residence?

City or Nearest City

County

State

Zip Code

Country:
U.S.A
Canada
Mexico
Central Am./South Am.

Australia/Oceania
Japan
Other Far East
United Kingdom

Other Europe
Middle East
Africa
Other

On this trip to the Puerto Rico, when did you first arrive?
Month

Day

Time

Including this trip, how many times have you visited Puerto Rico for all recreation/tourist reef activities in
the last 12 months, that is since (date last year)?
Times
5.

Looking at the map, could you tell me how many nights you spent on this trip to Puerto Rico in
Region 1

Region 2
# nights

Region 3
# nights

Region 4
# nights

Region 5
# nights

# nights

Interviewer: Make sure if answer to Q.4. is greater than one, that answer to Q.6. is not equal to Q.5.

Page 1

Part B: C o r a l reef use in the Puerto Rico during this trip.
Hand respondent Blue Card with Activities List for reef use and maps of the Puerto Rico Regions
B1.

B2.

Did you, yourself, do (read activity) during this trip in Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4,
Region 5.

B3.

How many others in your party did each activity on the reefs in Region 1, Region 2, Region 3,
Region 4, Region 5 during the past 12 months?

B4.

B5.

Interview Number:

No Reef Use

Region 1

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Respondent
# of days

No Reef Use

Respondent
# dives

Region 2

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Respondent
# of days

No Reef Use

B5
Respondent
# of dives

Region 3

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Respondent
# of days

Page 3

B5
Respondent
# of dives

Interview Number:

No Reef Use
B1
Activity

B2
Resp.

Region 4
B3
#
Others

B4
B5
Respondent Respondent
# days
# of dives
# days

No Reef Use

Region 5

Activity

Resp.

#
Others

Page 4

Respondent Respondent
# of days # of dives

Please read the Reef Definitions and Conditions Card.

C1. Do you have any questions about these definitions or reef conditions?

Hand the respondent the card with Choice Set Number 1.
Please review the three options. Option A is the Status Quo and costs you Nothing, but all reef conditions are in a low
condition. For Option B, some reef conditions are at a low level and some at the high level of condition and will
cost your household $60 per trip. For Option C, some reef conditions are at the low level and some are improved to
the highest condition and this will cost your household $60 per trip.
C5. Which option do you prefer? _______
C6. How many days would you use Puerto Rico’s Coral Reefs under the reef conditions for the option you prefer?
_________ (number of days per year)
C7. Please provide a brief comment that helps us understand why you chose the option as your most preferred
option? __________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Hand respondent the Economic Valuations Card

Hand respondent the card with Choice Set Number 2.
Please review the three options. Option A is the Status Quo and costs you Nothing, but all reef conditions are in a low
condition. For Option B, some reef conditions are at a low level and some at the medium level of condition and
will cost your household $30 per trip. For Option C, some reef conditions are at the medium level and some are the
low condition and this will cost your household $30 per trip.

Check the box corresponding to the respondent’s answer for each statement.
Statement

Strongly Somewhat Neither
Disagree Disagree
agree
(a)
(b)
nor
disagree
(c)

Somewhat Strongly
Agree
Agree
(d)
(e)

D1.

regulations that result in higher prices or
taxes to businesses and households.

Hand respondent Green Card
Please refer to Section 2 on your green card and tell me which reason best describes the primary purpose
of your trip to the Puerto Rico.
A
B

Recreation or vacation
Visit family or friends

C
D

Business trip
Business/pleasure

Other (specify)

Finally, for statistical purposes, we need to know a few things about yourself.
D2.

In what year were you born? (Code last two digits)

D3.

Sex

D4.

Are you Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino?

male

female
Yes

No
9

D5.

D6.

refused

Thank You that is the end of our Survey.
If you would like to be included in the sweepstakes/lottery, if you could provide us contact information to award the prizes.
Telephone ____________________

e-mail _________________________________

Mailing address: _________________________________________________________________________________

Part C: Economic Value of Puerto Rico’s Coral Reef Ecosystems – Version 1a, Choice Set 1
Option A: Status Quo – No changes
in management
Corals and Sponges
No stony corals, only soft corals
and sponges

Option B: Coral Reefs In Medium
Level of Condition
Corals and Sponges
Up to 4 species of stony corals
covering 5 to 20% of hard-bottom
with 60 to 90% live coral tissue.

Up to 4 species of soft corals for a
total of 14 to 25 square centimeters
per 10 square meters
Up to 4 species of sponges for a total
of 7 to 15 square centimeters per
square meter
Fish and Wildlife
Up to two species of consumptive
fish for a total of 3 fish per 10 square
meters with no fish of legal size to
keep
Up to 3 species of
tropical/ornamental fish with a total
of 3 fish per 10 square meters

Up to 3 species of soft corals for a
total of 4 to 14 square centimeters
per 10 square meters.
Up to 3 species of sponges for a total
of 2 to 7 square centimeters per
square meter.
Fish and Wildlife
3 to 6 species of consumptive fish
for a total of 10 fish per 10 square
meters with up to 50% of legal size
to keep.
4 to 10 species of
tropical/ornamental fish with a total
of 10 fish per 10 square meters.

No Macroinvertebrates (conch,
lobster or urchins)

1 species of Macroinvertebrates with
1 to 20 per 10 square meters
(urchins).

No opportunity to see large wildlife
(sharks, rays, turtles, manatees,
dolphins)
No opportunity to see or catch
Sport/Trophy fish (ladyfish, permit,
bonefish, tarpon, snook, jacks)
Water Conditions
Clarity/Visibility: Less than 10 feet

Cleanliness: Not healthy for
swimming
Depth of Reefs: Greater than 60
feet
Crowdedness: 21 or more people
$0
(Cost to your household per trip)

Cleanliness: Healthy for swimming

Option C: Coral Reefs in High
Level of Condition
Corals and Sponges
5 to 17 species of stony corals
covering more than 20% and up to
100% of hard-bottom with over 90%
to 100% live coral tissue.
1 species of soft corals for a total of
less than 4 square centimeters per 10
square meters.
1 species of sponges for a total of
less than 2 square centimeters per
square meter.
Fish and Wildlife
Up to 15 species of consumptive fish
for a total of 100 or more fish per 10
square meters with 75 to 100% of
legal size to keep.
25 to 30 species of
tropical/ornamental fish for a total of
20 to 100 or more fish per 10 square
meters.
2 or more species of
Macroinvertebrates (conch, lobster
or urchins) 1 lobster, 1 conch, and
20 or more urchins per 10 square
meters.
Opportunity to see large wildlife
(sharks, rays, turtles, manatees,
dolphins)
Opportunity to catch or see
Sport/Trophy fish (ladyfish, permit,
bonefish, tarpon, snook, jacks)
Water Conditions
Clarity/Visibility: Greater than 50
feet
Cleanliness: Healthy for swimming

Depth of Reefs: 20 to 60 feet

Depth of Reefs: less than 20 feet

Crowdedness: 11 to 20 people
$ 500
(Cost to your household per trip)

Crowdedness: 0 to 10 people
$ 1,000
(Cost to your household per trip)

Version1a, Choice 2
Option A: Status Quo – No changes
in management
Corals and Sponges
No stony corals, only soft corals
and sponges

Option B: 6M & 6H

Option C: 6H & 6M

Corals and Sponges
M:.Up to 4 species of stony corals
covering 5 to 20% of hard-bottom
with 60 to 90% live coral tissue.

M: Up to 3 species of soft corals for
a total of 4 to 14 square centimeters
per 10 square meters.
M: Up to 3 species of sponges for a
total of 2 to 7 square centimeters per
10 square meters.
Fish and Wildlife
M: 3 to 6 species of consumptive
fish for a total of 10 fish per 10
square meters with up to 50% of
legal size to keep.
M: 4 to 10 species of
tropical/ornamental fish with a total
of 10 fish per square meter.
M: 1 species of Macroinvertebrates
(urchins) with 1 to 20 per 10 square
meters.

H: Opportunity to see large wildlife
(sharks, rays, turtles, manatees,
dolphins)
H: Opportunity to catch or see
Sport/Trophy fish (ladyfish, permit,
bonefish, tarpon, snook, jacks)
Water Conditions
H: Clarity/Visibility: Greater than
50 feet
H: Cleanliness: Healthy for
swimming
H: Depth of Reefs: Less than 20
feet
H: Crowdedness: 0 to 10 people
$ 750
(Cost to your household per trip)

Cleanliness: Not healthy for
swimming
Depth of Reefs: Greater than 60 feet
Crowdedness: 21 or more people
$0
(Cost to your household per trip)

tropical/ornamental fish for a total of 20
to 100 or more fish per square meter.

H: 2 or more species of
Macroinvertebrates (conch, lobster
or urchins) 1 lobster, 1 conch, and
20 or more urchins per 10 square
meters.
M: No opportunity to see large
wildlife (sharks, rays, turtles,
manatees, dolphins)
M: No opportunity to see or catch
Sport/Trophy fish (ladyfish, permit,
bonefish, tarpon, snook, jacks)
Water Conditions
M: Clarity/Visibility: 10 to 50 feet
M: Cleanliness: Healthy for
swimming
M: Depth of Reefs: 20 to 60 feet
M: Crowdedness: 11 to 20 people
$ 750
(Cost to your household per trip)

Version 1b, Choice 1
Option A: Status Quo – No changes
in management
Corals and Sponges
No stony corals, only soft corals
and sponges

Option B: 6L and 6H

Option C: 6 H and 6L

Corals and Sponges
L: No stony corals, only soft corals
and sponges

Corals and Sponges
H: 5 to 17 species of stony corals
covering more than 20% and up to
100% of hard-bottom with over 90%
to 100% live coral tissue.
H: 1 species of soft corals for a total
of less than 4 square centimeters per
10 square meters.
H: 1 species of sponges for a total of
less than 2 square centimeters per 10
square meters.
Fish and Wildlife
H: Up to 15 species of consumptive
fish for a total of 100 or more fish
per 10 square meters with 75 to
100% of legal size to keep.
H: 25 to 30 species of
tropical/ornamental fish for a total of
20 to 100 or more fish per 10 square
meters.
H: 2 or more species of
Macroinvertebrates (conch, lobster
or urchins) 1 lobster, 1 conch, and
20 or more urchins per 10 square
meters.
L: No opportunity to see large
wildlife (sharks, rays, turtles,
manatees, dolphins)
L: No opportunity to see or catch
Sport/Trophy fish (ladyfish, permit,
bonefish, tarpon, snook, jacks)
Water Conditions
L: Clarity/Visibility: Less than 10
feet
L: Depth of Reefs: Greater than 60
feet
L: Crowdedness: 21 or more people
$ 500
(Cost to your household per trip)

No Macroinvertebrates (conch,
lobster or urchins)

L: No Macroinvertebrates (conch,
lobster or urchins)

H: Opportunity to see large wildlife
(sharks, rays, turtles, manatees,
dolphins)
H: Opportunity to catch or see
Sport/Trophy fish (ladyfish, permit,
bonefish, tarpon, snook, jacks)
Water Conditions
H: Clarity/Visibility: Greater than
50 feet
H: Depth of Reefs: Less than 20
feet
H: Crowdedness: 0 to 10 people
$ 500
(Cost to your household per trip)

Depth of Reefs: Greater than 60 feet
Crowdedness: 21 or more people
$0
(Cost to your household per trip)

Version 1b, Choice 2
Option A: Status Quo – No changes
in management
Corals and Sponges
No stony corals, only soft corals
and sponges

Option B: 6L and 6 M

Option C: 6M and 6 L

Corals and Sponges
L: No stony corals, only soft corals
and sponges

Corals and Sponges
M: Up to 4 species of stony corals
covering 5 to 20% of hard-bottom
with 60 to 90% live coral tissue.
M: Up to 3 species of soft corals for
a total of 4 to 14 square centimeters
per 10 square meters
M: Up to 3 species of sponges for a
total of 2 to 7 square centimeters per
10 square meters.
Fish and Wildlife
M: 3 to 6 species of consumptive
fish for a total of 10 fish per 10
square meters with up to 50% of
legal size to keep.
M: 4 to 10 species of
tropical/ornamental fish with a total
of 10 fish per 10 square meters.
M: 1 species of Macroinvertebrates with

Up to 4 species of soft corals for a
total of 14 to 25 square centimeters
per 10 square meters
Up to 4 species of sponges for a total
of 7 to 15 square centimeters per 10
square meters
Fish and Wildlife
Up to two species of consumptive
fish for a total of 3 fish per 10 square
meters with no fish of legal size to
keep
Up to 3 species of
tropical/ornamental fish with a total
of 3 fish per 10 square meters
No Macroinvertebrates (conch,
lobster or urchins)
No opportunity to see large wildlife
(sharks, rays, turtles, manatees,
dolphins)
No opportunity to see or catch
Sport/Trophy fish (ladyfish, permit,
bonefish, tarpon, snook, jacks)
Water Conditions
Clarity/Visibility: Less than 10 feet

L: Up to 4 species of soft corals for
a total of 14 to 25 square centimeters
per 10 square meters
L: Up to 4 species of sponges for a
total of 7 to 15 square centimeters
per 10 square meters
Fish and Wildlife
L: Up to two species of
consumptive fish for a total of 3 fish
per 10 square meters with no fish of
legal size to keep
L: Up to 3 species of
tropical/ornamental fish with a total
of 3 fish per 10 square meters
L: No Macroinvertebrates (conch,
lobster or urchins)
M: No opportunity to see large
wildlife (sharks, rays, turtles,
manatees, dolphins)
M: No opportunity to see or catch
Sport/Trophy fish (ladyfish, permit,
bonefish, tarpon, snook, jacks)
Water Conditions
M: Clarity/Visibility: 10 to 50 feet

Cleanliness: Not healthy for
swimming
Depth of Reefs: Greater than 60 feet

M: Cleanliness: Healthy for
swimming
M: Depth of Reefs: 11 to 20 feet

Crowdedness: 21 or more people
$0
(Cost to your household per trip)

M: Crowdedness: 11 to 20 people
$ 250
(Cost to your household per trip)

1 to 20 per square meter (urchins).

L: No opportunity to see large
wildlife (sharks, rays, turtles,
manatees, dolphins)
L: No opportunity to see or catch
Sport/Trophy fish (ladyfish, permit,
bonefish, tarpon, snook, jacks)
Water Conditions
L: Clarity/Visibility: Less than 10
feet
L: Cleanliness: Not healthy for
swimming
L: Depth of Reefs: Greater than 60
feet
L: Crowdedness: 21 or more people
$ 250
(Cost to your household per trip)

Part C: Economic Value of Puerto Rico’s Coral Reef Ecosystems – Version 2a, Choice Set 1
Option A: Status Quo – No changes
in management
Corals and Sponges
No stony corals, only soft corals
and sponges

Option B: Coral Reefs In Medium
Level of Condition
Corals and Sponges
Up to 4 species of stony corals
covering 5 to 20% of hard-bottom
with 60 to 90% live coral tissue.

No Macroinvertebrates (conch,
lobster or urchins)

1 species of Macroinvertebrates with
1 to 20 per 10 square meters
(urchins).

Cleanliness: Not healthy for
swimming
Depth of Reefs: Greater than 60
feet
Crowdedness: 21 or more people
$0
(Cost to your household per trip)

Cleanliness: Healthy for swimming

Depth of Reefs: 20 to 60 feet

Depth of Reefs: less than 20 feet

Crowdedness: 11 to 20 people
$ 250
(Cost to your household per trip)

Crowdedness: 0 to 10 people
$ 500
(Cost to your household per trip)

Version 2a, Choice 2
Option A: Status Quo – No changes
in management
Corals and Sponges
No stony corals, only soft corals
and sponges

Option B: 6M & 6H

Option C: 6H & 6M

Corals and Sponges
M:.Up to 4 species of stony corals
covering 5 to 20% of hard-bottom
with 60 to 90% live coral tissue.

Cleanliness: Not healthy for
swimming
Depth of Reefs: Greater than 60 feet
Crowdedness: 21 or more people
$0
(Cost to your household per trip)

tropical/ornamental fish for a total of 20
to 100 or more fish per square meter.

Version 2b, Choice 1
Option A: Status Quo – No changes
in management
Corals and Sponges
No stony corals, only soft corals
and sponges

Option B: 6L and 6H

Option C: 6 H and 6L

Corals and Sponges
L: No stony corals, only soft corals
and sponges

No Macroinvertebrates (conch,
lobster or urchins)

L: No Macroinvertebrates (conch,
lobster or urchins)

H: Opportunity to see large wildlife
(sharks, rays, turtles, manatees,
dolphins)
H: Opportunity to catch or see
Sport/Trophy fish (ladyfish, permit,
bonefish, tarpon, snook, jacks)
Water Conditions
H: Clarity/Visibility: Greater than
50 feet
H: Depth of Reefs: Less than 20
feet
H: Crowdedness: 0 to 10 people
$ 250
(Cost to your household per trip)

Depth of Reefs: Greater than 60 feet
Crowdedness: 21 or more people
$0
(Cost to your household per trip)

Version 2b, Choice 2
Option A: Status Quo – No changes
in management
Corals and Sponges
No stony corals, only soft corals
and sponges

Option B: 6L and 6 M

Option C: 6M and 6 L

Corals and Sponges
L: No stony corals, only soft corals
and sponges

Cleanliness: Not healthy for
swimming
Depth of Reefs: Greater than 60 feet

M: Cleanliness: Healthy for
swimming
M: Depth of Reefs: 11 to 20 feet

Crowdedness: 21 or more people
$0
(Cost to your household per trip)

M: Crowdedness: 11 to 20 people
$ 125
(Cost to your household per trip)

1 to 20 per square meter (urchins).

Part C: Economic Value of Puerto Rico’s Coral Reef Ecosystems – Version 3a, Choice Set 1
Option A: Status Quo – No changes
in management
Corals and Sponges
No stony corals, only soft corals
and sponges

Option B: Coral Reefs In Medium
Level of Condition
Corals and Sponges
Up to 4 species of stony corals
covering 5 to 20% of hard-bottom
with 60 to 90% live coral tissue.

No Macroinvertebrates (conch,
lobster or urchins)

1 species of Macroinvertebrates with
1 to 20 per 10 square meters
(urchins).

Cleanliness: Not healthy for
swimming
Depth of Reefs: Greater than 60
feet
Crowdedness: 21 or more people
$0
(Cost to your household per trip)

Cleanliness: Healthy for swimming

Depth of Reefs: 20 to 60 feet

Depth of Reefs: less than 20 feet

Crowdedness: 11 to 20 people
$ 125
(Cost to your household per trip)

Crowdedness: 0 to 10 people
$ 250
(Cost to your household per trip)

Version 3a, Choice 2
Option A: Status Quo – No changes
in management
Corals and Sponges
No stony corals, only soft corals
and sponges

Option B: 6M & 6H

Option C: 6H & 6M

Corals and Sponges
M:.Up to 4 species of stony corals
covering 5 to 20% of hard-bottom
with 60 to 90% live coral tissue.

Cleanliness: Not healthy for
swimming
Depth of Reefs: Greater than 60 feet
Crowdedness: 21 or more people
$0
(Cost to your household per trip)

tropical/ornamental fish for a total of 20
to 100 or more fish per square meter.

Version 3b, Choice 1
Option A: Status Quo – No changes
in management
Corals and Sponges
No stony corals, only soft corals
and sponges

Option B: 6L and 6H

Option C: 6 H and 6L

Corals and Sponges
L: No stony corals, only soft corals
and sponges

No Macroinvertebrates (conch,
lobster or urchins)

L: No Macroinvertebrates (conch,
lobster or urchins)

H: Opportunity to see large wildlife
(sharks, rays, turtles, manatees,
dolphins)
H: Opportunity to catch or see
Sport/Trophy fish (ladyfish, permit,
bonefish, tarpon, snook, jacks)
Water Conditions
H: Clarity/Visibility: Greater than
50 feet
H: Depth of Reefs: Less than 20
feet
H: Crowdedness: 0 to 10 people
$ 125
(Cost to your household per trip)

Depth of Reefs: Greater than 60 feet
Crowdedness: 21 or more people
$0
(Cost to your household per trip)

Version 3b, Choice 2
Option A: Status Quo – No changes
in management
Corals and Sponges
No stony corals, only soft corals
and sponges

Option B: 6L and 6 M

Option C: 6M and 6 L

Corals and Sponges
L: No stony corals, only soft corals
and sponges

Cleanliness: Not healthy for
swimming
Depth of Reefs: Greater than 60 feet

M: Cleanliness: Healthy for
swimming
M: Depth of Reefs: 11 to 20 feet

Crowdedness: 21 or more people
$0
(Cost to your household per trip)

M: Crowdedness: 11 to 20 people
$ 60
(Cost to your household per trip)

1 to 20 per square meter (urchins).

Part C: Economic Value of Puerto Rico’s Coral Reef Ecosystems – Version 4a, Choice Set 1
Option A: Status Quo – No changes
in management
Corals and Sponges
No stony corals, only soft corals
and sponges

Option B: Coral Reefs In Medium
Level of Condition
Corals and Sponges
Up to 4 species of stony corals
covering 5 to 20% of hard-bottom
with 60 to 90% live coral tissue.

No Macroinvertebrates (conch,
lobster or urchins)

1 species of Macroinvertebrates with
1 to 20 per 10 square meters
(urchins).

Cleanliness: Not healthy for
swimming
Depth of Reefs: Greater than 60
feet
Crowdedness: 21 or more people
$0
(Cost to your household per trip)

Cleanliness: Healthy for swimming

Depth of Reefs: 20 to 60 feet

Depth of Reefs: less than 20 feet

Crowdedness: 11 to 20 people
$ 60
(Cost to your household per trip)

Crowdedness: 0 to 10 people
$ 125
(Cost to your household per trip)

Version 4a, Choice 2
Option A: Status Quo – No changes
in management
Corals and Sponges
No stony corals, only soft corals
and sponges

Option B: 6M & 6H

Option C: 6H & 6M

Corals and Sponges
M:.Up to 4 species of stony corals
covering 5 to 20% of hard-bottom
with 60 to 90% live coral tissue.

Cleanliness: Not healthy for
swimming
Depth of Reefs: Greater than 60 feet
Crowdedness: 21 or more people
$0
(Cost to your household per trip)

tropical/ornamental fish for a total of 20
to 100 or more fish per square meter.

Version 4b, Choice 1
Option A: Status Quo – No changes
in management
Corals and Sponges
No stony corals, only soft corals
and sponges

Option B: 6L and 6H

Option C: 6 H and 6L

Corals and Sponges
L: No stony corals, only soft corals
and sponges

No Macroinvertebrates (conch,
lobster or urchins)

L: No Macroinvertebrates (conch,
lobster or urchins)

H: Opportunity to see large wildlife
(sharks, rays, turtles, manatees,
dolphins)
H: Opportunity to catch or see
Sport/Trophy fish (ladyfish, permit,
bonefish, tarpon, snook, jacks)
Water Conditions
H: Clarity/Visibility: Greater than
50 feet
H: Depth of Reefs: Less than 20
feet
H: Crowdedness: 0 to 10 people
$ 60
(Cost to your household per trip)

Depth of Reefs: Greater than 60 feet
Crowdedness: 21 or more people
$0
(Cost to your household per trip)

Version 4b, Choice 2
Option A: Status Quo – No changes
in management
Corals and Sponges
No stony corals, only soft corals
and sponges

Option B: 6L and 6 M

Option C: 6M and 6 L

Corals and Sponges
L: No stony corals, only soft corals
and sponges

Cleanliness: Not healthy for
swimming
Depth of Reefs: Greater than 60 feet

M: Cleanliness: Healthy for
swimming
M: Depth of Reefs: 11 to 20 feet

Crowdedness: 21 or more people
$0
(Cost to your household per trip)

M: Crowdedness: 11 to 20 people
$ 30
(Cost to your household per trip)

1 to 20 per square meter (urchins).

RESIDENT - CORAL REEF DEFINITIONS and CONDITIONS CARD

Definitions


Coral reefs are colonies of connected skeletons of millions of small animals called
corals.



Coral reef ecosystems include the coral reefs, neighboring areas of sea bottom,
ocean waters, sponges, algae, seagrasses and mangroves.



Coral reef ecosystems provide a place to live for many ocean species including, fish,
sea turtles, conchs, lobsters, crabs, sponges, urchins, sea plants and marine
mammals like dolphins and manatees.



Most coral reef ecosystems in Puerto Rico are in water less than 60 feet deep.

Conditions



Research by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has measured the abundance
and diversity (number of different species) of stony corals, soft corals, sponges, fish,
macroinvertebrates (conch, spiny lobster, and urchins) on Puerto Rico’s coral reefs.



Measures of abundance and diversity were measured on how much was there per
square meter of coral reef area.



For abundance, the following measures were taken:




Stony corals: Percent (%) of hard-bottom covered per square meter and
percent of the coral tissue is alive.
Soft corals and Sponges: Square centimeters per square meter of reef area.
Fish: Number per square meter.

Fish were classified into fish people eat (consumptive) and fish that people just view
(Tropical/Ornamental fish). A few fish that normally would be classified as
consumptive were not counted as consumptive because of ciguatera poisoning. Fish
were also classified as Sport/Trophy fish (Ladyfish, Permit, Bonefish, Tarpon,

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Barracuda, Jacks). Some of these may be known to have ciguatera poisoning but
are still fun to catch.




Consumptive fish: Puerto Rico has only a few species with limits on length to be
legal for keeping (Yellowtail Snapper, White Grunt, Silk Snapper, and Black
Snapper). Some are permanently closed (Nassau Grouper and Goliath
Grouper). Still others have closed seasons (Silk, Vermillion, Black and Blackfin
Snappers Oct. – Dec.; Mutton and Lane Snappers April-May; Red Hind Dec. –
Feb.). We present the number of consumptive fish that meet legal size for
keeping per square meter of reef area. Tropical/Ornamental fish: Number of fish
per square meter.
 Sport/Trophy fish: Opportunity to catch or see trophy fish on the entire reef not
the number per square meter.
Macroinvertebrates (conchs, spiny lobsters, and urchins): The number per square
meter. For conchs, the maximum number observed was 3 per square meter, while for
spiny lobster, the maximum observed was 1 per square meter. Urchins tend to be
observed in much higher numbers. For Long-spined urchins, the maximum observed
was 8 per square meter, while for smaller species of urchins as many as 37 per square
meter have been observed. Seasonal closure of Queen Conch is July – Sept.
CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEM HEALTH



Urchins are known to increase the health of reefs for stony corals.



Stony corals predominate in the healthiest reefs.



Soft Corals and Sponges tend to dominate in reef areas where the water quality is
relatively poor. Scientists have found that soft corals and sponges are more able than
stony corals to thrive in relatively poor water quality and move into places where stony
corals have died.



Soft Corals and Sponges are often very colorful, serve as important habitat for fish, and
help improve water quality by filtering nutrients thereby reducing algal growth that
can smother reefs and improving water clarity/visibility.



Most of the coral reef ecosystems in Puerto Rico are currently in a poor or fair
condition. Overfishing, water pollution, careless anchoring, and sediments from runoff
from development and agricultural areas have been the most important factors
damaging the coral reef ecosystems.

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VISITOR'S - MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS CARD


If current management practices continue in the future (Status Quo), in 10 to 20 years scientists
expect that all but the few areas that are receiving special protection will be in a poor or low condition
with respect to the corals, sponges, fish, and water clarity/visibility. If rules and regulations are not
enforced even the specially protected areas will be in poor or low condition.



If management is changed to improve reef conditions, it will require both public and private
investments to protect and restore the coral reef ecosystems, which would include enforcement of
rules and regulations.



In the next section of the survey, you will be presented with several sets of coral reef ecosystem
conditions. There is an estimated cost to your household per year that would be required to achieve
each condition.



The cost per trip is based on the costs that will be paid by businesses and households to pay for
investments that protect and restore the coral reef ecosystems like improved sewage treatment,
filtering and cleaning urban run-off, erosion control from agricultural areas and development
projects, installation of mooring buoys to protect reefs from anchor damage, restoration of reefs, and
enforcement of rules and regulations.



The costs per trip would be paid by all residents and visitors to Puerto Rico through increased prices
of goods and services. This might also include increases in local sales taxes to cover government costs
to pay for protection and restoration.



The Option A: Status Quo (No change in management), will cost your household nothing ($0 per
year), but will result in low reef condition on all of Puerto Rico’s coral reef ecosystems, except for the
few specially protected areas if rules and regulations are enforced.



You will always have the option of choosing the Status Quo (Option A).



Remember when making your choices on how much you are willing to pay that you only have so
much income and if you pay to improve reef conditions you will have less to spend on other goods,
services, and social issues that are important to you.



Also, even under the low conditions there are three coral reefs within Puerto Rico that have strong
protections that you could use, in addition to coral reefs outside Puerto Rico.

VISITORS - ECONOMIC VALUATION CARD

SECTION 1. How sure are you that the option you chose as your most preferred among the
three options is your most preferred?

Select one answer only
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Not sure at all
Slightly sure
Moderately sure
Very sure
Extremely sure

SECTION 2. Would you prefer to pay for new environmental programs through higher taxes, the
cost of incentives to businesses and households, or through higher prices?

Select one answer only
a.
b.
c.
d.

Through higher taxes
Through the cost of incentives to businesses and households
Though higher prices
No preference
SECTION 3. Would you say you think of yourself as not an environmentalist at all, slightly an
environmentalist, a moderate environmentalist, a strong environmentalist or a very strong
environmentalist?

Select one answer only
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Not an environmentalist at all
Slightly an environmentalist
A moderate environmentalist
A strong environmentalist
A very strong environmentalist

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SECTION 4. Agreement with Statements
Statement

Strongly

Somewhat

Neither

Somewhat

Strongly

Disagree

agree
nor

Agree

(a)

(b)

disagree
(c)
Costs should not be a factor when protecting the
environment.
I found it difficult to select an option of reef conditions I
preferred.
I was concerned that the Puerto Rico government cannot
effectively manage coral reefs.
I should not have to pay more to protect or restore coral
reefs in Puerto Rico.
The public’s views as expressed in this survey should be
important to the Puerto Rico government when it chooses
how to manage coral reefs.
I understood the different alternatives presented in each
choice question.
The different reef attribute levels in each alternative were
clear and I was able to distinguish the difference across the
“Status Quo” and alternatives B and C in making my choice.
The illustrations of coral reef conditions helped me
distinguish the low, medium and high conditions for all reef
attributes.
The pictures of different levels of crowding helped me
distinguish low, medium and high crowding conditions.
The government should use incentives to businesses and
households to pay for environmental protections instead of
regulations that result in higher prices or taxes to
businesses and households.

(d)

(e)

SECTION 5. How certain are you that additional funding would achieve the goals of protecting the
environment?

Select one answer only.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Very certain
Certain
Somewhat certain
Uncertain
Very uncertain

Stony Corals

Soft Corals and Sponges

Reef Fish

Invertebrates

Mega Fauna

File Type	application/pdf
Author	NOSTEMP
File Modified	2016-07-17
File Created	2016-07-17