Mail surveys for fishermen

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Advance Letter for Fishing Vessel Survey

Phish Erman

Address
City, state, zip
Dear Mr. Erman:
University of Alaska, Fairbanks (UAF), in cooperation with NOAA Fisheries (the National
Marine Fisheries Service), is conducting a study to learn more about commercial fishing
activity for Southwest Alaska. With your help, we can identify the important role fishing
activity plays for the economy of Southwest Alaska, and provide better information to fishery
managers to enhance fishery management practices.
Your name was selected at random from commercial fishermen who landed fish at ports in
Southwest Alaska during 2005. Very few fishermen were chosen for the study, so your help is
critical to its success. In the next few days, you will receive a survey in the mail from UAF.
The survey asks about employment and earnings of crew and skipper(s) working on your vessel.
We recognize the sensitivity of the information to be collected, and want to assure you it will be
handled confidentially. All individual surveys will be held by the researchers at UAF and
destroyed upon completion of the study.
You are one of a small number of fishermen who are fishing in waters off Alaska and landing at
ports in Southwest Alaska selected to help. To keep costs low and make sure that the
information obtained correctly represents Southwest fishing activity, we need to hear from you.
Thank you in advance for your help.

Sincerely,

Hans Geier
Project Director
University of Alaska, Fairbanks

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2.

Initial Mailing Letter for Fishing Vessel Survey

Mr. Phish Erman

Address
City, state, zip
Dear Mr. Erman:
As you know, commercial fishing plays a significant role in the economy of Southwest Alaska. One way
commercial fishing contributes to the region’s economy is through the jobs held by fishing vessel crew
and skippers, and the income these crew and skippers spend in the region. Information about employment
and income from commercial fishing is needed by local and state governments, businesses, and others
who make decisions that affect people and industries in Southwest Alaska.
To help us improve our understanding of commercial fishing’s role in Southwest Alaska’s economy, we
ask that you complete the enclosed survey. The survey is being conducted in cooperation with the
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and collects employment and income information related to
the landings by your vessel, the . The information you provide will be used to

enhance the fishery management practices of NOAA fisheries, and, thereby, increase the longrun economic benefits to those who engage in fishing activities, including you.
We recognize the sensitivity of the information being collected, and want to assure you it will be
handled confidentially. All individual surveys will be held by the researchers at University of Alaska,
Fairbanks (UAF) and destroyed upon completion of the study. Your name and address will only be used
for mailing purposes. Only summary results will be reported to the public and no data identifying you or
your individual vessel will be provided to the public, NMFS, or other agencies that receive the study
results.
Most of the information you need to complete the survey is available on your 2005 federal business tax
return documents and your crew settlement sheets. With these materials, the survey should take about 20
minutes to complete and mail back in the enclosed self-addressed stamped envelope.
You are one of only a few vessel owners being asked to participate in this study. You were randomly
selected from all vessel owners who delivered fish to seafood processing plants in Southwest Alaska. To
ensure the results of the study truly represent vessels like yours, it is very important that you complete and
return the survey.
I would be happy to answer any questions you may have about this study. Please call me at 907-4747727 or email at ffhtg@uaf.edu. Thank you very much for your assistance.

Sincerely,

Hans Geier
Project Director
University of Alaska, Fairbanks

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3.

Postcard Reminder for Fishing Vessel Survey

Last week a survey was mailed to you seeking information about your commercial fishing
activity for Southwest Alaska.
If you have already completed and returned the survey, please accept our sincere thanks. If you
have not completed and returned the survey, we ask that you do so today.
It is very important that we hear from you. You are one of a small number of fishermen
selected to participate in this study. Your response will help us improve understanding of
commercial fishing’s role in the economy of Southwest Alaska. However, a high rate of
participation is required to make sure we have a sufficient number of respondents to understand
the role fishing activity plays in the Southwest Alaska economy.
If you need another copy of the survey, please call me at 907-474-7727 and another survey
will be mailed to you.
Thank you for your help.
Hans Geier
Project Director
University of Alaska, Fairbanks

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