West Coast Swordfish Survey

WEST COAST SWORDFISH FISHERY ANNUAL COST and EARNINGS SURVEY

2015-16 & 2016-17 Fishing Seasons

January 1, 2017

Instructions

To gauge economic impacts of proposed and existing regulations, federal fishery managers must have accurate baseline economic information for the West Coast Swordfish Fishery. Without this information, an accurate assessment of the potential economic impacts of fishery conservation and management cannot be made, making it difficult for fishery managers to best protect the economic interests of fishery participants.

We have developed an in-person survey to provide vital economic information about the West Coast Swordfish Fishery regarding the harvesters, fishing vessels, spotter plane pilots, aircraft, and processors. Section 1 is to be completed only by fishermen who operate drift gillnet, harpoon, longline, or deep set buoy gear fishing vessels; Sections 2, 3, 4, and 5 are specifically for participants in each of those respective fisheries; Section 6 is only for spotter plane pilots; Section 7 is only for fish processors, and Section 8 is only for completion by former swordfish participants who are no longer fishing swordfish. Section 9 is for all participants to express their opinions.

It is very important that you understand that this is a voluntary survey. Any information submitted to NMFS in response to this survey will not be disclosed at an individual level except to: (1) Dr. Doyle Hanan, the federal contractor administering the survey who is bound to release data only to NMFS; (2) NMFS employees and Pacific Fishery Management Council employees who are responsible for fishery monitoring; (3) state employees pursuant to an agreement with the Secretary of Commerce that prevents the disclosure of this information; or (4) when required by court order. The public reporting burden for completing this form is estimated to average one (1.0) hour per response. No data submitted by any participant will be publicly released in a manner which allows identification of individual proprietary information. Any publicly released information will be grouped to include no fewer than two (2) other individuals.

The survey will be conducted at your home port or other convenient location that you and Doyle Hanan choose. We will call you in the next couple weeks to set up this appointment or if we miss you, please call Doyle to set up a convenient time (858-518-2233). Thank you very much for your participation.

Dr. Doyle Hanan

Hanan & Associates, Inc.

PO Box 8914

Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067

858.518.2233

Email: [email protected]

Send comments regarding this survey or burden estimate to:

Dr. Stephen Stohs

NMFS SWFSC

8604 La Jolla Shores Drive

La Jolla, CA 92037-1508

[email protected]

858.546.7084

Section 1: Vessel Information for Drift Gillnet, Harpoon, Longline or Deep Set Buoy Gear Only

1	Owner: Operator:
2	Captain:
3	Vessel Name:
4	Position of person filling out form:
5	Contract captain used? 2015-2016 □ Yes □ No 2015-2016 % of time:		2016-2017 □ Yes □ No 2016-2017 % of time:
6	Year current captain was born		19____
7	Captain: years fishing		yrs
8	Captain: years operating current fishing vessel		yrs
9	Year vessel purchased
10	Purchase price	$
11	Estimated replacement value of vessel	$
12	Insured replacement value of vessel	$
13	Vessel purchase loan principle balance	$
14	Vessel loan payments	$ yr/mo?
15	Time remaining on this loan	Yrs Mos
16	Vessel depreciation and amortization	2015-2016 $		2016-2017 $
17	Capital Construction Fund (CCF) contributions	2015-2016 $		2016-2017 $
18	Total Insurance cost: (vessel, liability, and health combined)	2015-2016 $		2016-2017 $
19	Do you participate in a cooperative fishermen’s pool? □ Yes □ No
20	Electronics (Check all on vessel): □ INMARSAT □ Cellular phone □ VHF radio □ CB Radio □ SSB Radio □ Video plotter □ Autopilot □ Satellite navigation □ Computer □ Depth sounder □ Radar □ Sonar □ GPS □ Doppler Radar □ Temperature sensor □ Weather fax □ Other:
21	Total Electronics Cost	2015-16 $		2016-2017 $
22	Refrigeration: □ Brine Spray, □ Chiller, □ Blast Freeze	□ Other
a)	Year purchased
b)	Purchase price	$
c)	Maintenance Costs	2015-2016 $		2016-2017 $
23	Icemaker?	□ Yes □ No
a)	Year purchased
b)	Purchase price	$
24	Total crew per trip (exclude captain)	Crew:
25	Fishing shares (percentage or actual cash)	2015-2016		2016-2017
a)	Boat /Vessel	____% or $ ______		____% or $ ______
b)	Captain	____% or $ ______		____% or $ ______
c)	2nd Captain	____% or $ ______		____% or $ ______
d)	Engineer	____% or $ ______		____% or $ ______
e)	Crew	____% or $ ______		____% or $ ______

Section 1: Continued

2015-2016 ↓ 2016-2017 ↓

26	Annual mooring or slip / berthing fees (if charged separately)	$	$
27	Shipping costs	$	$
28	Annual fuel and oil costs If Total:	$	$
a)	Fuel If Separate:	$	$
b)	Oil If Separate:	$	$
29	Annual food costs	$	$
30	Engine replacement costs Year	$	$
31	Annual total vessel repairs and maintenance	$	$
a)	Does this include haul out fees?	□ Yes □ No	□ Yes □ No
b)	Haul out fee if charged	$	$
32	Fishing association membership dues (Please circle month or year)	$ Mo/Yr	$ Mo/Yr
33	Total license fees (local, state, federal, combined)	$	$
34	Total County or Landing, vessel and berthing fees	$	$
35	Total business travel (car, airplane, train, other____________________)	$	$
36	Total vehicle expenses	$	$
a)	Cost of new vehicle if purchased	$	$
37	Off-vessel fish storage/refrigeration expenses	$	$
38	Office expenses	$	$
39	Total fishing trips per year this vessel (all types of commercial fishing)	trips	trips
40	Total days per trip on average	days	days
41	Total days fished per trip on average	days	days
42	Did you use a spotter plane?	□ Yes □ No	□ Yes □ No
43	For how many trips did you use a spotter plane?	trips	trips
44	Do you own the plane? (If yes please fill out Section 6)	□ Yes □ No	□ Yes □ No
45	If rental plane, what was the rental fee?	$ per	$ per
46	Who is responsible for paying for fuel and oil for the plane?
a)	Total fuel cost (if known):	$	$
b)	Total oil cost (if known):	$	$
c)	Total if combined (if known):	$	$
47	If pilot was paid a share or percentage of catch/gross/etc. please provide:	_­­__% or $____	___% or $___
48	If pilot was paid a flat-rate, please provide:	$ per___	$ per___
49	Do you share the cost of a spotter plane or pilot with others? □Yes□ No indicate your share as a percentage or dollar amount (please circle units)	_­­_­­_% or $____ per: Day/Mo/Yr	_­­__% or $­___ per: Day/Mo/Yr
50	How did you decide to use the spotter plane? □ Weather □ Availability □ Spotter Ability □ Cost □ Increased catch (Check all that apply)	□ Other:	□ Other:
51	Did increased catch justify the cost of using the plane?	□ Yes □ No	□ Yes □ No

Section 2: Questions for Drift Gillnet Fishery (DGN) Participants Only

2015-2016 ↓ 2016-2017 ↓

1	Total fishing trips per year this vessel (DGN fishing)						trips			trips
2	Total days per trip on average (DGN)						days			days
3	Total days fished per trip on average (DGN)						days			days
4	Net configurations used during 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 and Targeted species:
	In 2015-2016 net used for what fishery/species (SWD, Shark, Bluefin, Yellowfin, other) List Target Fish↓
a)	Net 1: Length (ft/fm)	Depth (ft/fm)		Mesh (inches)
b)	Net 2: Length (ft/fm)	Depth (ft/fm)		Mesh (inches)
c)	Net 3: Length (ft/fm)	Depth (ft/fm)		Mesh (inches)
	In 2016-2017 net used for what fishery/species (SWD, Shark, Bluefin, Yellowfin, other) List Target Fish ↓
d)	Net 1: Length (ft/fm)	Depth (ft/fm)		Mesh (inches)
e)	Net 2: Length (ft/fm)	Depth (ft/fm)		Mesh (inches)
f)	Net 3: Length (ft/fm)	Depth (ft/fm)		Mesh (inches)
5	How much extra net (auxiliary or for repair) kept on vessel? Length: (ft/fm)
6	Current drift net total initial cost					$
7	Current drift net year purchased					Year:
a)	Current drift net remaining useful life expectancy					years
b)	Current pingers brand and remaining useful life expectancy					years
c)	Drift net equipment costs		2015-2016 $			2016-2017 $
d)	Drift net maintenance & repair cost		2015-2016 $			2016-2017 $
e)	Lost gear, depredation, other costs, Please Specify:		2015-2016 $			2016-2017 $
8	Total Catch & Revenue Drift Gillnet Fishery		2015-2016 CATCH (Specify Units)		2015-2016 REVENUE	2016-2017 CATCH (Specify Units)			2016-2017 REVENUE
a)	Swordfish				$				$
b)	Shark				$				$
c)	Tuna				$				$
d)	Other (list)				$				$

Section 3: Questions for Harpoon Fishery Participants Only

2015-2016 ↓ 2016-2017 ↓

1	Total fishing trips per year this vessel (HPN fishing)			trips		trips
2	Total days per trip on average (HPN)			days		days
3	Total days fished per trip on average (HPN)			days		days
4	Why do you harpoon? (Check all that apply) □ Primary source of income □ Opportunistic/supplemental □ Recreational □ Tax write-off Income □ Lower fuel costs □ Most cost efficient method of fishing □ Other:
5	Percentage of your fishing income from harpooning			2015-2016 %		2016-2017 %
6	How many harpooning trips did you fish other gear?			2015-2016		2016-2017
a)	Troll			Trips		Trips
b)	Hook and Line			Trips		Trips
c)	Longline			Trips		Trips
d)	Pots			Trips		Trips
e)	Other			Trips		Trips
7	Total harpoon gear costs? (gun, retrofitting, plank, floats, line, and other ________________________)			$		$
8	Other fishing costs, Please Specify:			$		$
9	Total Catch & Revenue Harpoon Fishery	2015-2016 CATCH Specify Units (#, lbs, or both)	2015-2016 REVENUE		2016-2017 CATCH Specify Units (#, lbs, or both)		2016-2017 REVENUE
a)	Swordfish		$				$
b)	Shark		$				$
c)	Tuna (Specify___________)		$				$
d)	Other (please list):		$				$

Section 4: Questions for Longline Participants Only

2015-2016 ↓ 2016-2017 ↓

1	Total fishing trips per year this vessel (LL fishing)			trips			trips
2	Total days per trip on average (LL)			days			days
3	Total days fished per trip on average (LL)			days			days
4	Longline gear purchase price					$
a)	Year purchased
b)	Expected longevity					Yrs
c)	Longline length					Miles
5	Annual longline operating costs Total if combined:					$
a)	Gangion/branch lines If separate:					$
b)	Hooks If separate:					$
c)	Bait If separate:					$
d)	Trans-shipment costs If separate:					$
6	Total Catch & Revenue Longline Fishery	2015-2016 CATCH (Specify Units)	2015-2016 REVENUE		2016-2017 CATCH (Specify Units)			2016-2017 REVENUE
a)	Swordfish		$					$
b)	Shark		$					$
c)	Tuna		$					$
d)	Other (list)		$					$

Section 5: Questions for Deep Set Buoy Gear Participants Only

2015-2016 ↓ 2016-2017 ↓

1	Total fishing trips per year this vessel (DSBG fishing)			trips		trips
2	Total days per trip on average (DSBG)			days		days
3	Total days fished per trip on average (DSBG)			days		days
4	Buoy Gear purchase price					$
a)	Year purchased
b)	Expected longevity					Yrs
c)	Main Line length					Miles
5	Annual buoy gear operating costs Total if combined:					$
a)	Gangion/branch lines If separate:
b)	Hooks If separate:					$
c)	Bait If separate:					$
d)	Trans-shipment costs If separate:					$
6	Total Catch & Revenue Longline Fishery	2015-2016 CATCH (Specify Units)	2015-2016 REVENUE		2016-2017 CATCH (Specify Units)		2016-2017 REVENUE
a)	Swordfish		$				$
b)	Shark		$				$
c)	Tuna		$				$
d)	Other (list)		$				$

Section 6: Questions for Spotter Plane Pilot or Owner Only

1	Owner: Operator:
2	Year pilot was born							19____
3	Years as a spotter pilot							yrs
4	Type of airplane
5	Year built
6	Year purchased
7	Purchase price							$
8	Estimated replacement value of airplane							$
9	Insured replacement value of airplane							$
10	Airplane purchase loan principle balance							$
11	Airplane loan payments							$ per
12	Time remaining on this loan							yrs mos
13	Airplane depreciation and amortization							$
14	Electronics (Check all on airplane): □ INMARSAT □ Cellular phone □ VHF radio □ CB Radio □ SSB Radio □ Computer □ Radar □ GPS □ Other:
15	Total Electronics Cost
16	Total Insurance cost: (vessel, liability, and health combined)				2015-2016 $		2016-2017 $
	Total Annual Cost (book keeping and tax preparation)				2015-2016 $		2016-2017 $
17	Engine(s) horse power				hp		hp
18	Fuel consumption				gal/hr		gal/hr
19	Annual Operating Costs:
a)	Number of gallons of fuel and oil (combined or split)				gal.		gal.
b)	Total fuel and oil costs while fishing (combined)				2015-2016 $		2016-2017 $
c)	Maintenance				2015-2016 $		2016-2017 $
d)	Parts (tires, brakes, engine, etc.)				2015-2016 $		2016-2017 $
f)	Transit of the plane to/from fishing grounds				2015-2016 $		2016-2017 $
g)	Equipment (GPS, binoculars, software, etc.)				2015-2016 $		2016-2017 $
20	Total Flight Days and Hrs Spotting:	2015-2016				2016-2017
a)	Swordfish	Days Ave Hrs/day				Days Ave Hrs/day
b)	Shark	Days Ave Hrs/day				Days Ave Hrs/day
c)	Tuna	Days Ave Hrs/day				Days Ave Hrs/day
d)	Small Pelagics (Anch/Sard/Mac)	Days Ave Hrs/day				Days Ave Hrs/day
e)	Other	Days Ave Hrs/day				Days Ave Hrs/day
21	Total Catch & Revenue Spotter Plane		2015-2016 CATCH (Specify Units)	2015-2016 Spotter Plane Revenue		2016-2017 CATCH (Specify Units)			2016-2017 Spotter Plane Revenue
a)	Swordfish			$					$
b)	Shark			$					$
c)	Tuna			$					$
d)	Small Pelagics			$					$
e)	Other: Explain:

Section 7: Questions for Processor Participants Only

1	Owner:
2	Operator:
3	Business Name:
4	Position of person filling out form:
5	Corporation Type:
6	Year incorporated:
7	Year purchased:
8	Purchase price: $
		2015-2016	2016-2017
9	Annual accountant fees	$	$
10	Annual Rent, Lease, or Mortgage costs (circle which applies)	$	$
11	Outstanding loan amounts	$	$
12	Total annual labor costs	$	$
13	Building & equipment maintenance	$	$
14	Insurance costs:
a)	FDIC	$	$
b)	Workers comp	$	$
c)	Health insurance costs	$	$
d)	Longshore & Harbor workers	$	$
e)	Pension funding	$	$
15	Harbor fees	$	$
16	Telephone costs	$	$
17	Vehicle costs
a)	Maintenance (non-vehicular)	$	$
b)	Insurance	$	$
c)	Fuel	$	$
d)	New purchases	$	$
18	Maintenance costs	$	$
19	Total swordfish purchased (please specify number or weight)
20	Total cost swordfish purchased	$	$

Section 8: Questions for Former Swordfish Participant/Operator Only

1	Name owner/operator:
2	Were you the Captain		□ Yes □ No
3	Vessel Name
4	Position person filling out form
5	Last year fished
6	Year captain was born		19____
7	Captain: years fishing		yrs
8	Captain: years operating fishing vessel		yrs
9	Do you currently participate in a commercial fishery? □Yes □No	If yes, which fishery(s) ­­­­­
10	Why did you leave the Swordfish fishery (please briefly describe)? Economics? □Yes □No Regulations? □Yes □No Other? □Yes □No

Section 9: Additional West Coast Swordfish Fishery Survey

Questions for All Participants

1. How have you participated in the swordfish fishery either up to the present or in the past? Check all that apply.

□ Longline fisherman

□ Drift gillnet fisherman

□ Harpoon fisherman

□ Spotter pilot

□ Processor plant manager or equivalent

□ Skipper

□ Vessel owner

□ Other __________________________

2. From your perspective, what impact has regulation of the west coast swordfish fishery had on the fishery in which you participate? (Please be specific regarding regulations and their impacts.)

3. What gears should be authorized for use to target swordfish off the West Coast?

□ Longline

□ Drift gillnet

□ Harpoon

□ Buoy

□ Other __________________________

Section 9: Continued

4. Are hard caps for marine mammal and sea turtle species an effective bycatch management tool?

□ Yes

□ No

In a few words, please explain why you answered “Yes” or “No”

5. Did you know the PFMC is soliciting applications for, and has issued Exempted Fishing Permits to target swordfish using deep-set buoy gear in California over the last few years?

6. Do you have any interest in applying for an Exempted Fishing Permit to target swordfish using deep-set buoy gear?

□ Yes

□ No

In a few words, please explain why you answered “Yes” or “No”

Section 9: Continued

7. Should the level of commercial swordfish fishing activity on the West Coast of the U.S. change?

□ Yes, commercial swordfish fishing activity on the U.S. West Coast should increase.

□ No, commercial swordfish fishing on the U.S. West Coast should stay the same or decrease.

In a few words, please explain why you answered “Yes” or “No”

8. Are you concerned that changing environmental conditions (weather, local target or protected species abundance, etc.) will affect the operation of the West Coast Swordfish Fishery or the related fishing community?

□ Yes, environmental change will affect the operation of the West Coast Swordfish Fishery.

□ No, environmental change will have no effect.

If yes, in a few words, what are some impacts that you expect?

Section 9: Continued

9. If the Pacific Fishery Management Council amended the Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan to authorize shallow or deep-set longline fishing within the West Coast Exclusive Economic Zone to target swordfish, would you potentially be interested in participating?

□ Yes, I would potentially be interested to participate in a West Coast Shallow-set Longline Swordfish Fishery.

□ No, I would not be interested to participate.

Explain in a few words why or why not.

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