Rapid and longterm assessments

NOAA Fisheries Office of Science and Technology  |  Disaster FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions:
An Assessment of the Social and Economic Impact of
Hurricanes and Other Climate-Related Natural Disasters
on Commercial and Recreational Fishing Industries in
the Eastern, Gulf Coast, and Caribbean Territories of the
United States

Office of
Science and
Technology

What is the purpose of the survey?

This survey is an effort by NOAA Fisheries Office of Science and Technology- Economics
and Social Analysis Division in Silver Spring, MD to evaluate the social and economic
impacts of hurricanes and other climate-related disasters on the commercial and
recreational fishing industries of the U.S. Eastern and Gulf Coast Regions and
Caribbean Territories. The project involves the implementation of two types of surveys:
rapid and long-term. The rapid assessment is intended to identify the short-term economic
and socio-economic impacts within 60-days of a disaster event. Following the rapid, the
one-year assessment will then identify long-term impacts and impediments to recovery.

Why does your participation matter?

The results of this survey will help fisheries managers understand impacts of natural
disasters on the commercial and recreational fishing industries and will provide information
that can be used in better assisting their responses to disasters in the future. Your
participation is extremely valuable in shaping future decisions to improve disaster response
and recovery of those involved in the fishing industry.

What type of information is being collected?

Social and economic information will be collected from commercial and recreational (for
hire) fishermen and fishing related businesses. Examples of information collected on the
survey include: economic and physical losses to businesses and operations, as well as aspects
of community recovery, individual well-being, and adaptation to natural disasters.

U.S. Department of Commerce  |  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration  |  National Marine Fisheries Service

NOAA Fisheries Office of Science and Technology  |  Disaster FAQ

Who are we asking to participate?

Survey participants include commercial and for hire fishermen and fishing-related
businesses including bait and tackle stores, seafood dealers, marinas/boat repair/marine
supply businesses, and seafood processing and aquaculture facilities. Participants will be
randomly selected from a list complied by NOAA Fisheries.

Who is conducting this survey?

NOAA Fisheries Office of Science and Technology-Economics and Social Analysis
Division is conducting this survey. We conduct applied economic and sociocultural
research on the management of commercial and recreational fisheries. It is our commitment
to perform independent, relevant, and accessible research aimed at providing useful input to
the decision-making process in fisheries management.

When is this survey being conducted?

The rapid assessment survey will be conducted on an as needed basis following major
hurricane and other climate related disasters. The first long-term assessment survey
will begin in August 2018 and last approximately two to three months. This survey will
investigate the long-term impacts from Hurricane Harvey, Irma, and Maria that occurred in
August and September 2017 in Texas, Florida, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.

How long will this survey take?

The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. However, times may vary.

How do I benefit from participating?

Information you share will be anonymous and combined with data from other respondents.
It will be used, in aggregate form, in an assessment to evaluate long-term impacts
of Hurricane Harvey, Irma, and Maria on the commercial and recreational fishing
industries in Texas, Florida, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.

How will I be sure my data is confidential?

Data collected will be kept anonymous and will not be released for public use except in
aggregate statistical form without identification as to its source. Participation or lack of
participation in the survey will remain anonymous. All economic data will be aggregated
into statistical form for all reports.
For more information contact:

Lisa Colburn, [email protected], 401-782-3253

U.S. Department of Commerce  |  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration  |  National Marine Fisheries Service