American Samoa Small Boat Fishery Cost-Earnings Survey

Economic Surveys of Specific US Commercial Fisheries

PIFSC IC_American Samoa Small Boat Fishery Cost-Earnings Survey MC 021522

OMB: 0648-0773

Document [docx]
Download: docx | pdf

File Name: 119214301

OMB Control No. 0648-0773 Expiration Date: xx/xx/20xx


American Samoa Small Boat Fishery Cost-Earnings Survey (202X)


Hello, please help us (NOAA) to better understand the importance of small boat fishing in American Samoa. We want to best represent American Samoa fishermen and we can only do that by hearing from as many fishermen as possible. Your details of fishing experiences and expenditures are important to ensure accurate results. While your response is voluntary, we hope that you can help us in this research.


We appreciate the confidential nature of the data being collected by this survey. NOAA’s Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) will handle individual survey data as confidential business information and a form of protected personal information and will maintain the confidentiality of the information consistent with legal authorities available to it, including but not limited to the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. Section 552a) and the Trade Secrets Act (18 U.S.C. Section 1905). The PIFSC will protect individual survey data from public disclosure to the extent permitted by law and it has instituted procedures to provide that protection.






Date of Survey _______________ Fisherman’s name _________________ Interviewer ___________________




SECTION A. YOUR FISHING EXPERIENCES


Different fishermen in American Samoa had different fishing experiences over 202X-1. Please tell us about yours.


1. In 202X-1, were you …


Boat owner (but not going out for fishing)

Owner operator

Captain (not boat owner)

Crew


2. What type of fishing trips did you take in 202X-1?


I went fishing using a boat only

Shape1 Go to Q3

I went fishing sometimes using a boat and sometimes not using a boat

Shape2 Go to Q3

I went fishing not using a boat

Shape3 Go to Q5


3. Approximately how many BOAT fishing trips did you take in 202X-1? ___________________trips

(If not sure, please provide an answer below):


0

Fewer than 12 trips (once every month or less)

12-24 trips (once every other week)

25-49 trips (once a week)

50-99 trips (once or twice a week)

100-200 trips (two or three times a week) or more






4. We understand the gear you used may have varied by trip, please indicate what percent of your BOAT fishing trips in 202X-1 you took with each type of gear: (Please check one for each type of gear)



None

(0%)

Very little (1%-9%)

Some

(10%-39%)

About half (40%-59%)

Most

(60%-89%)

Almost all

(90%-100%)

Spearfishing


Deepwater bottomfish


Nearshore/shallow bottomfish


Trolling


Nets


Other gear, please specify:










5. Approximately how many NON-BOAT fishing (shoreline) trips did you take in 202X-1? ___________________trips

(If not sure, please provide an answer below):


0

Fewer than 12 trips (once every month or less)

12-24 trips (once every other week)

25-49 trips (once a week)

50-99 trips (once or twice a week)

100-200 trips (two or three times a week) or more


6. In 202X-1, what percent of your NON-BOAT fishing (shoreline) trips did you take with each type of gear? (Please check one for each type of gear)



None

(0%)

Very little (1%-9%)

Some

(10%-39%)

About half (40%-59%)

Most

(60%-89%)

Almost all

(90%-100%)

Rod and reel (pole)

Spearfishing

Cast/throw net

Other gear, please specify:

_____________________








7. In 202X-1, what percent of your fishing time occurred in local and federal jurisdiction?



None

(0%)

Very little (1%-9%)

Some

(10%-39%)

About half (40%-59%)

Most

(60%-89%)

Almost all

(90%-100%)

Local waters (0-3 miles)


Federal waters (3 miles offshore)



8. How many people in total, including yourself, were on board for an average BOAT fishing trip? _______________ people


9. In 202X-1, approximately how many total pounds of pelagic fish (such as tunas, wahoo, mahimahi, etc.) did you catch?


None

101 - 500 pounds


1 - 50 pounds

501 - 1000 pounds


51 - 100 pounds

More than 1000 pounds Shape4

About how much? _________ pounds







10. In 202X-1, approximately how many total pounds of deepwater bottomfish (such as red snapper, black trevally, lunartail

grouper, etc.) did you catch?


None

101 - 500 pounds


1 - 50 pounds

501 - 1000 pounds


51 - 100 pounds

More than 1000 pounds Shape5

About how much? _________ pounds


11. In 202X-1, approximately how many total pounds of nearshore/shallow bottomfish (such as redgill emperor, blueline snapper,

jobfish, etc.) did you catch?


None

101 - 500 pounds


1 - 50 pounds

501 - 1000 pounds


51 - 100 pounds

More than 1000 pounds Shape6

About how much? _________ pounds


12. In 202X-1, approximately how many total pounds of reef fish (such as parrotfishes (fuga), surgeonfishes (alogo), unicomfishes (ume), etc.) did you catch?


None

101 - 500 pounds


1 - 50 pounds

501 - 1000 pounds


51 - 100 pounds

More than 1000 pounds Shape7

About how much? _________ pounds


13. In 202X-1, what percent of your boat fishing trips were sampled by the DMWR creel survey program?


None

(0%)

Very little

(1%-9%)

Some

(10%-39%)

About half (40%-59%)

Most

(60%-89%)

Almost all

(90%-100%)





SECTION B. MARKET PARTICIPATION


14. What was your primary motivation for fishing in 202X-1? (If you had multiple motivations, put 1 as first, 2 as second, and 3 as third)


Purely Recreational (I fished only for sport or pleasure)

Recreational Expense (I fished primarily for sport or pleasure, but I also sold a few fish to cover trip expenses)

Subsistence (I fished primarily to catch fish to feed myself/my family/my community)

Cultural (I enjoyed fishing, but I was even more concerned about keeping traditional practices alive, such as using

traditional fishing gear)

Part-time Commercial (Fishing paid some of my bills, but I still had to work at another job)

Full-time Commercial (Fishing brought in most or all of the money I made in 202X-1)

Other, please specify:_______________________________________________


15. In 202X-1, how was catch/revenue distributed among fishermen in a fishing trip?


I kept all the fish I caught (for sale/given away/self-consumption)

I kept/received __________ % of total fish caught

I kept/received __________ % of trip revenue

Don’t know/different every time

Other, please describe:__________________________________













16. In 202X-1, what percent of your catch did you use in each of the following ways?



None

(0%)

Very little

(1%-9%)

Some

(10%-39%)

About half (40%-59%)

Most

(60%-89%)

Almost all

(90%-100%)

Consumed at home


Given away


Caught and released


Sold



17. In 202x-1, did you ever sell any of the fish you caught?


Yes Shape8 Q18

No Shape9 Q22


If you did not sell any of your fish in 202X-1, please skip to Question 22.


18. In 202X-1, where did you sell your fish? (Please check all that apply)



None

(0%)

Very little

(1%-9%)

Some

(10%-39%)

About half (40%-59%)

Most

(60%-89%)

Almost all

(90%-100%)

Fagatogo Market Place

Restaurants/stores


Roadside/farmers’ market


Friends/neighbors/coworkers

Other, please specify :_______________________


19. In 202X-1, what was the approximate value of all the fish you sold?


$1 - $100

$1,001 - $2,000

$10,001 - $20,000

$101 - $500

$2,001 - $5,000

$20,001 - $50,000

$501 - $1,000

$5,001 - $10,000

More than $50,000, specify

$_____________________


20. In 202X-1, what percent of the value of fish sold (question 19) came from the sale of pelagic fish, deepwater bottomfish,

nearshore/shallow bottomfish, and reef fish?



None

(0%)

Very little

(1%-9%)

Some

(10%-39%)

About half (40%-59%)

Most

(60%-89%)

Almost all

(90%-100%)

Pelagic fish


Deepwater bottomfish


Nearshore/shallow bottomfish


Reef fish


21. In 202X-1, after expenses, what percent of your personal income came from the sale of fish?


None

(0%)

Very little

(1%-9%)

Some

(10%-39%)

About half (40%-59%)

Most

(60%-89%)

Almost all

(90%-100%)





SECTION C. YOUR BOAT


In this section, we want to better understand the boat and gear characteristics of the boat based fishery in American Samoa in 202X-1.


22. Did you own the boat that you fished on in 202X-1?


YesShape10 Go to Q23

No Shape11 If NO, did you always fish on the same boat?

Yes Shape12 Go to Q30

No Shape13 Go to Q30


23. In 202X-1, what percent of time did other people (other than family members) use that boat without you?


None

(0%)

Very little

(1%-9%)

Some

(10%-39%)

About half (40%-59%)

Most

(60%-89%)

Almost all

(90%-100%)


24. What was the length of your boat? _______________ feet


25. What was the total horsepower? _______________hp


26. In what year was that boat built? _______________


27. In what year did you purchase the boat you fished on in 202X-1? _______________

(If homebuilt – when did you complete it?)


28. How much did you pay to purchase that boat? $________________

(If homebuilt – how much did it cost to build it?)


29. In 202X-1, what was the current market value of the electronics you used to fish? $ _________________


30. In 202X-1, what was the current market value of the gear you used to fish (not including electronics)? $ ________________


If you owned the boat that you fished on:

31. In 202X_1, what was the current market value of that boat? $____________________

(Considering age and current condition and including motor(s) and trailer, but not including electronics or gear mentioned

above)

If you owned the boat that you fished on:

32. Please enter the most recent year in which you made any major improvement to that boat _________________


SECTION D. YOUR FISHING TRIP COSTS


We now want to understand your per trip costs for fishing.

Please remember that all your answers are strictly confidential.


33. In 202X-1, what was the primary gear used for your most common type of fishing trip with a BOAT? (Please check one)

Spearfishing

Trolling

Deepwater bottomfish

Nets

Nearshore/shallow bottomfish

Other gear, specify ____________________


33a. On average per trip, how much money did you spend on your most common (question 33) type of fishing trip with a BOAT?


Type of Expenditure


Trip Expenditure

Amount


Boat fuel (average for a trip)


$_____________________________

___________gallons

Truck fuel (round-trip)


$_____________________________

___________gallons

Oil (average for a trip)


$_____________________________


Ice


$_____________________________

___________lbs

Bait


$_____________________________

___________case(s)

Food and beverage


$_____________________________


Daily maintenance and repair


$_____________________________


Gear lost


$_____________________________


Other, please specify:

_________________________

$_____________________________



33b. Were the costs in Q33a the total trip costs for all fishermen in a trip, or just the portion you paid?

Total costs for all fishermen in a trip

Only the portion I paid, and they were approximately _________ % of the total trip costs


34. In 202X-1, what was your second most common gear used for fishing trip with a BOAT? (Please check one)

Spearfishing

Trolling

Deepwater bottomfish

Nets

Nearshore/shallow bottomfish

Other gear, specify ____________________



34a. On average per trip, how much money did you spend on your second most common (question 34) type of fishing trip with a BOAT?


Type of Expenditure


Trip Expenditure

Amount


Boat fuel (average for a trip)


$_____________________________

___________gallons

Truck fuel (round-trip)


$_____________________________

___________gallons

Oil (average for a trip)


$_____________________________


Ice


$_____________________________

___________lbs

Bait


$_____________________________

___________case(s)

Food and beverage


$_____________________________


Daily maintenance and repair


$_____________________________


Gear lost


$_____________________________


Other, please specify:

_________________________

$_____________________________




34b. Were the costs in Q34a the total trip costs for all fishermen in a trip, or just the portion you paid?

Total costs for all fishermen in a trip

Only the portion I paid, and they were approximately _________ % of the total trip costs




SECTION E. 202X-1 FISHING EXPENDITURES (for boat owner only)


In an effort to better understand your economic contribution to American Samoa’s economy, we would like to ask about your fishing-related expenditures in 202X-1. In the table below please indicate how much, if any, was spent on the following items during 202X-1.


Enter “0” if you did not have any expenses in a category. Please do not leave blank.

Remember that all your answers are strictly confidential.


35. Cost Category 202X-1 Expenditure (dollars)


Boat insurance ……………………………………………………..


$____________________

per month per year

Loan payments ..……………………………………………………

$_____________________

per month per year

Mooring fees ………………………………………………………...


$_____________________

per month per year

Gear replacement/repair from wear and tear

(lines, lures, gaffs, rods, electric/hydraulic reels, spears, wetsuits, coolers, safety equipment, etc.) The cost of lost gear was reported above as a trip cost. …………………………


$_____________________


Annual boat and trailer repair, maintenance, and improvements (exclude daily expenses).................................


$_____________________


Fees (registration for truck and trailer, safety, dry dock fees, etc.) ….………………………………………………………………..


$_____________________


Financial service……..…………………………………………......


$____________________


Other, please specify: ..…………………………………………...

_________________________

$_____________________




SECTION F. ABOUT YOU


Different people had different fishing experiences and different motivations for fishing.

The following questions help us to better understand these differences.


36. What is your gender?


Male

Female


37. What is your age?


Less than 25 years

45 to 54 years

25 to 34 years

55 to 64 years

35 to 44 years

More than 64 years


38. In what village did you live in 202X-1? _____________________


39. Are you Hispanic or Latino?

Yes, Hispanic or Latino

No, not Hispanic or Latino


40. How would you describe your race? (Please check all that apply)


Samoan

Black or African American

American Indian or Alaska Native

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

Asian

White


41. What is the highest level of education you have completed?


Less than 9th grade

Associates degree or technical school

Some high school (no diploma)

College graduate (bachelor degree)

High school graduate (including GED)

Advanced, professional, or doctoral degree

Some college (no degree)



42. What was your total household income, before taxes, in 202X-1, including fishing income?


Less than $10,000

$50,000 to $99,999

$10,000 to $24,999

$100,000 to $249,999

$25,000 to $49,999

$250,000 or more



SECTION G. WHAT DO YOU THINK?


43. Given your experience, do you think in the next year more people will be doing each of the following types of fishing? (Please check one for each type of fishing)


Pelagic Fishing

Deepwater

Bottomfish Fishing

Nearshore/Shallow Bottomfish Fishing

Reef Fishing

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

No


44. Why do you feel this way? _____________________________________________________________________________








45. What were the top three (3) species you targeted for each of the following uses in 202X-1?



1

2

3

To sell?





To keep for self-consumption?





To give away?











46. Please state how much you agree or disagree with the following statements:



Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly Agree

As someone who fishes, I am respected by the community

Fishing is an important part of who I am

Fishing is an important part of my culture



47. How important is each of the following for managing fisheries in American Samoa?



Not at all Important

Slightly Important

Moderately Important

Very Important

Extremely Important

Rules are followed and enforced

My voice is included in decision making

Managers know how many fish there are

Managers know how healthy the reef / other habitats are

Managers know about the fishermen and fishing community (income, culture, etc.)

Local agencies build or maintain fisheries infrastructure (boat ramps, harbors, etc.)

Other, please specify:


48. Please state how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements:


Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly Agree

Rules are followed and enforced

My voice is included in decision making

Managers know how many fish there are

Managers know how healthy the reef / other habitats are

Managers know about the fishermen and fishing community (income, culture, etc.)

Local agencies build or maintain fisheries infrastructure (boat ramps, harbors, etc.)

Other, please specify:





49. Do you have any suggestions for how American Samoa’s fisheries should be managed or topics that you feel need further

study?


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


50. Did you substantially change your fishing activities in 202X?


Yes

No


If YES in Q50, please answer the following questions.

50a. How did you change your fishing activities in 202X?


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



50b. What were the main reasons you made those changes?


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



50c. By how much did each of the following increase or decrease for your vessel(s) in 202X due to those changes? (Please enter “0” if there was no change)


Landings decreased by ______% OR increased by______%

Fishing revenues decreased by ______% OR increased by______%

Total operating costs decreased by ______% OR increased by______%

Crew size decreased by #______ crew OR increased by #______ crew








Thank you for participating in this survey.

The information you have provided will improve our understanding of the importance of fishing in American Samoa.








Would you like to receive a copy of the final report for this study? (All personal information will be kept strictly confidential)


Yes


Name: _______________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________

No

Email address:____________________________________


May we contact you if we have any questions about your survey responses?


Yes


Phone: _________________________ Best time to contact you: ___________________________________

No

Email address: ______________________________________(if not provided above)

(Your phone number and email address will be kept strictly confidential)




Shape14

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement. The PIFSC is collecting this economic information to improve its ability to conduct the analyses required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) and other applicable law. The PIFSC and the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council will use this information to monitor, explain and predict changes in the economic performance and impacts of the American Samoa small boat fishery. Among other things, this will enable fisheries managers and the public to more fully consider the economic effects of proposed and existing regulations for this important fishery.


A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with an information collection subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 unless the information collection has a currently valid OMB Control Number. The approved OMB Control Number for this information collection is 0648-0773 and its expiration date is XX/XX/20XX. Without this approval, we could not conduct this information collection. Public reporting for this information collection is estimated to be approximately 45 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the information collection. All responses to this information collection are voluntary. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this information collection, including suggestions for reducing this burden to the NOAA Fisheries at: 1845 Wasp Blvd., Building 176, Honolulu, HI 96818, Attn: Justin Hospital, and [email protected] if desired.










File Typeapplication/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document
File Modified0000-00-00
File Created0000-00-00

© 2024 OMB.report | Privacy Policy