Vessel survey

Cover 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 Southeast Alaska (SE Alaska)
economy. 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. Another way the fishing industry contributes to the region's economy is through other
spending to own and operate a vessel. Information about jobs and spending by the commercial
fishing industry is needed by local and state governments, businesses, and others who make
decisions that affect people and industries in SE Alaska.
To help us improve our understanding of commercial fishing's role in the SE Alaska economy,
we ask that you complete the enclosed voluntary survey. The survey is being conducted by the
Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) and collects employment and income information
related to the landings by your vessel, . The information you provide will be
useful to fishery management decision makers, and, thereby, increase the long-run economic
benefits to those who engage in fishing activities. If you choose to fill out your questionnaire
using the optional on-line form hosted on a secure internet website, the url is:
Your unique password for accessing the secure online form is included on the attached
questionnaire.
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 AFSC 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, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
or other agencies that receive the study results.
Most of the information you need to complete the survey is available on your 2009 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 the

Southeast region of 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
(541) 758-1432 or email at shannon_davis@class.oregonvos.net. Thank you very much for your
assistance.
Sincerely,

Shannon Davis
Survey Director
The Research Group