West Coast Saltwater Fishing Survey

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
National Marine Fisheries Service
NORTHWEST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER

Washington
Sport Fishing
Survey

Dear :
Enclosed is the survey we mentioned in our previous letter to you. The Washington Sport Fishing Survey is
being conducted by NOAA Fisheries (National Marine Fisheries Service). This is your chance to help improve
recreational fishing in Washington State.
Your answers can be used to:

• Help fishery managers understand what anglers like and dislike

• Enhance your fishing experience, and

• Improve the management of recreational fishing in the region.

Your answers are completely anonymous and will be released only as summaries in which no individual’s
answers can be identified. There are no right or wrong answers and even if you’ve never fished in Washington
saltwater, it is important that we hear your opinions.
If you have any questions please call me at 1-206-302-2403.
Thank you very much for your help!
Sincerely,

[SIGNATURE HERE IN BLUE INK]
Leif Anderson
Project Director
NOAA Fisheries | Northwest Fisheries Science Center

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
National Marine Fisheries Service
NORTHWEST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER

Washington
Sport Fishing
Survey

Dear :
About three weeks ago we sent you a questionnaire that asked you about recreational saltwater fishing in
Washington State. As of today, we have not received your questionnaire. If you have already mailed it to us,
we thank you for your assistance.
The comments of other people who have already responded include a wide variety of fishing experiences and
preferences. We think the results are going to be very useful to managers.
We are writing you again because of the importance that your questionnaire has for helping to get accurate
results. Your name was drawn through a scientific sampling process in which every individual who purchased
a Washington license had an equal chance of being selected. Because only a small number of people were
chosen for the study, your participation is essential if the results are to be truly representative of the opinions,
preferences, and activities of all anglers.
•

It doesn’t matter how often you fish in saltwater, your answers are valuable.

•

Even if you’ve never fished in Washington saltwater, please return the survey so we can more
accurately measure participation.

We hope you will fill out and return the questionnaire soon, but if for any reason you prefer not to answer it,
please let us know by returning a note or blank questionnaire in the enclosed stamped envelope.
Thank you very much for your help.

[SIGNATURE HERE IN BLUE INK]
Leif Anderson
Project Director
NOAA Fisheries - Northwest Fisheries Science Center
P.S. If you have any questions, please call me toll free at 1-206-302-2403.

If you have already completed and returned it to us please accept our
sincere thanks. If not, please do so today. The questionnaire has been
sent to only a small, but representative, sample of residents who fish in
Washington. It is extremely important that yours also be included in the
study if the results are to be representative.

If by some chance you did not receive the questionnaire,

or it got misplaced, please call

REMINDER

Sponsored by
NOAA Fisheries

1-206-302-2403

Washington
Sport
Fishing
Survey

Last week a questionnaire about your recreational saltwater fishing in
Washington was mailed to you. Your name was selected at random from
everyone who purchased a Washington license.
If you have already completed and returned it to us please accept our
sincere thanks. If not, please do so today. The questionnaire has been
sent to only a small, but representative, sample of residents who fish in
Washington. It is extremely important that yours also be included in the
study if the results are to be representative.

If by some chance you did not receive the questionnaire,

or it got misplaced, please call

1-206-302-2403

REMINDER

Last week a questionnaire about your recreational saltwater fishing in
Washington was mailed to you. Your name was selected at random from
everyone who purchased a Washington license.

Sponsored by
NOAA Fisheries

Washington
Sport
Fishing
Survey

Last week a questionnaire about your recreational saltwater fishing in
Washington was mailed to you. Your name was selected at random from
everyone who purchased a Washington license.
If you have already completed and returned it to us please accept our
sincere thanks. If not, please do so today. The questionnaire has been
sent to only a small, but representative, sample of residents who fish in
Washington. It is extremely important that yours also be included in the
study if the results are to be representative.

If by some chance you did not receive the questionnaire,

or it got misplaced, please call

Sponsored by
NOAA Fisheries

REMINDER

REMINDER

Sponsored by
NOAA Fisheries

Washington
Sport
Fishing
Survey

1-206-302-2403

Washington
Sport
Fishing
Survey

Last week a questionnaire about your recreational saltwater fishing in
Washington was mailed to you. Your name was selected at random from
everyone who purchased a Washington license.
If you have already completed and returned it to us please accept our
sincere thanks. If not, please do so today. The questionnaire has been
sent to only a small, but representative, sample of residents who fish in
Washington. It is extremely important that yours also be included in the
study if the results are to be representative.

If by some chance you did not receive the questionnaire,

or it got misplaced, please call

1-206-302-2403

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
National Marine Fisheries Service
NORTHWEST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER

Washington
Sport Fishing
Survey

Dear :
A few days from now you will receive a short questionnaire for an important study being conducted by NOAA
Fisheries (National Marine Fisheries Service).
The Washington Sport Fishing Survey will help us learn more about your interest and success in saltwater
fishing in Washington State. This study will be used to improve fishery management through a better
understanding of the activities and preferences of anglers like you. Even if you have not fished in saltwater, it is
important that we hear from you.
We need your help. Your response will provide important information to fishery managers. This information can
be used to:

 Improve your recreational fishing experience and opportunities, and

 Enhance sound management practices.
Your name was selected at random from people who purchased a Washington fishing license. Very few people
were chosen for the study, so your help is critical to its success. We will send you a questionnaire through
[CONTRACTOR NAME], a nationally recognized survey research firm who is our partner in conducting the
survey. Simply complete the questionnaire, and return it in the postage paid envelope provided.
If you would like to learn more about this important survey, or have any questions, please call me at 1-206-3022403.
Thank you very much for your help!
Sincerely,

[SIGNATURE HERE IN BLUE INK]
Leif Anderson
Project Director
NOAA Fisheries | Northwest Fisheries Science Center