Example of socioeconomic survey for background

Attachment 06: Follow-up Economic Mail Survey

Saltwater Sportfishing Survey
Help us improve your sportfishing
experience.

What Do You Think?

Sponsored by
NOAA Fisheries
(National Marine Fisheries Service)
Questions? Email xxxx.xxxxxx@noaa.gov
This survey is voluntary.
All responses are anonymous and confidential.

Block 48

OMB Control Number 0648-0052 expires 11/30/04

Section A: Your Recent Sport Fishing Activities
Your opinions are important. The questions in this survey are about YOU and YOUR
recreational saltwater fishing activities and preferences. Except when asked, please do not
include any information from other household members or other fishing party members.
When completing the questionnaire please print clearly.

A1 Over the past year, how often have you targeted each of the following saltwater species?
Never Rarely
Target Target

Saltwater Species

Frequently Always
Target
Target

Grouper
Red Snapper
Other Snapper (NOT Red Snapper)
Tuna (yellowfin, bluefin, blackfin,etc.)
Dolphin (mahi-mahi)
Cobia
King mackerel
Spanish mackerel

A1.a If you target any other fish not listed above, please write them in the
space provided.

A2 What are your preferences for keeping the following saltwater fish? Please
mark only one choice for each species.

Saltwater
Species

Have
not
caught

I keep all
that I am
legally
allowed

I keep some
of what I am
legally
allowed

I keep none
of what I
am legally
allowed

Grouper
Red Snapper
Other Snapper
Tuna
Dolphin
Cobia
King mackerel
Spanish mackerel

Questions? email us at xxxx.xxxxxx@noaa.gov

2

A3 On your most recent saltwater fishing trip, how much did you personally
spend during that trip? Please do not include any costs paid by others.
Type of Expenditure
Auto/truck fuel
Airfare or other
public transportation
Auto/RV rental
Lodging
Food and drinks from grocery/
convenience stores
Food and drink from
restaurants and bars

Personal Expenditure

$
$
$
$

Boat fuel

$

Fishing gear or tackle used
only on this trip

$

Bait

Party, charter, or guide fees
(include tips)

$
$
$
$
$

Other: ____________________

$

Ice
Equipment rental
Access/boat launching fees

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

$
$

A4 During the past two months, how many fishing trips have you taken in:
Freshwater
Saltwater

A5 During the past two months, how many saltwater fishing trips have you
taken from:
Beach or bank

Privately owned boat

Pier, bridge, or jetty

Charter, party, or head boat

Questions? call xxx xxxxxxx at 1.xxx.xxx.xxxx

3

A6 Below are several reasons why you may release fish you could have legally
kept. Indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following
reasons.
“I release some fish I could
have legally kept because...”

Strongly
Agree
Agree

Feel
Strongly
Disagree
Neutral
Disagree

...I don’t like to eat some types of fish.
...even though they are of legal size
they are too small to keep.
...I already caught what I plan to eat.
...I enjoy the sport of catching and
releasing fish.
...I am interested in fisheries
conservation.
...I don’t want to catch my limit too
quickly.
...some are too big and don’t taste as
good.
...some look damaged or not in good
shape.
...of some other reason
(please specify).

A7 Please indicate the extent to which you support or oppose the following
conservation measures.
Conservation Measure

Support

Somewhat
Support

Feel
Somewhat
Oppose
Neutral
Oppose

Minimum size limits
Maximum size limits
Slot limits (combined maximum
and minimum size limits)
Bag limits
Area closures to protect key habitat
Seasonal closures to protect spawning
or other seasonal aggregations
Restrictions on the type of fishing
gear that can be used
Harvest moratorium/closure for
species in trouble

Questions? email us at xxxx.xxxxxx@noaa.gov

4

Section B: Your Preferences for
Saltwater Fishing Trips
In this section we want to know about your preferences for
different types of saltwater fishing trips. Each question will
ask you to compare two single day fishing trips that vary in
the following ways:
• Target species: The species of fish you expect to catch
on the trip.
• Total number of fish caught per trip: Your expected total
catch of the target species. Your total may be restricted by
the bag limit and/or the minimum size limit.
• Bag limit: The number of fish of the target species that
you are legally allowed to keep per fishing trip.
• Minimum size limit: The minimum length of the target
species that you may keep. You are not legally allowed to
keep fish that measure less than this length.
• Catch at or above minimum size: Your expected catch
of the target species that are equal to or longer than the
minimum size limit.
• Trip cost: Includes your personal share of the costs
associated with gas, wear and tear on your vehicle, tolls,
ferries, parking, access fees, food, ice, bait, and fishing
equipment used on this trip.
• Other fish: Any fish you might expect to catch on a fishing
trip for the target species (not including the target species).
These definitions are also provided on each of the following pages for
your reference. Please refer to them as needed.
Questions? call xxx xxxxxxx at 1.xxx.xxx.xxxx

5

Fishing Trips

B1 Please look at the table, compare all the features of
each fishing trip, and then answer the question below.
B
Definitions
• Target species: The species
of fish you expect to catch on
the trip.
• Total number of fish caught
per trip: Your expected total
catch of the target species.
Your total may be restricted
by the bag limit and/or the
minimum size limit.
• Bag limit: The number of the
target species that you are
legally allowed to keep per
fishing trip.
• Minimum size limit: The
minimum length of the target
species that you may keep.
You are not legally allowed to
keep fish that measure less
than this length.
• Catch at or above minimum
size: Your expected catch of
the target species that are
equal to or longer than the
minimum size limit.
• Trip cost: Includes your
personal share of the costs
associated with gas, wear
and tear on your vehicle,
tolls, ferries, parking, access
fees, food, ice, bait, and
fishing equipment used on
this trip.
• Other fish: Any fish you might
expect to catch on a fishing
trip for the target species (not
including the target species).

Features

Trip A

Trip B

Target species

King Mackerel

Grouper

Total number caught per
trip

5 King Mackerel

6 Grouper

Bag limit

1 King Mackerel

2 Grouper

Minimum size limit

20 inches

18 inches

Catch at or above the
minimum size

3 King Mackerel

2 Grouper

Trip cost

$70

$45

Catch of target
species you are legally
allowed to keep

1 King Mackerel

2 Grouper

Catch of other fish you
are legally allowed to
keep

1 fish

1 fish

No Trip

Do
something else,
but not take a
saltwater fishing
trip.

Would you choose trip A, trip B or no trip at all? Please
select only one.
Trip A
Trip B
No Trip

Questions? email us at xxxx.xxxxxx@noaa.gov

6

Fishing Trips

B2 Please look at the table, compare all the features of
each fishing trip, and then answer the question below.
Definitions
• Target species: The species
of fish you expect to catch on
the trip.
• Total number of fish caught
per trip: Your expected total
catch of the target species.
Your total may be restricted
by the bag limit and/or the
minimum size limit.
• Bag limit: The number of the
target species that you are
legally allowed to keep per
fishing trip.
• Minimum size limit: The
minimum length of the target
species that you may keep.
You are not legally allowed to
keep fish that measure less
than this length.
• Catch at or above minimum
size: Your expected catch of
the target species that are
equal to or longer than the
minimum size limit.
• Trip cost: Includes your
personal share of the costs
associated with gas, wear
and tear on your vehicle,
tolls, ferries, parking, access
fees, food, ice, bait, and
fishing equipment used on
this trip.
• Other fish: Any fish you might
expect to catch on a fishing
trip for the target species (not
including the target species).

Features

Trip A

Trip B

Target species

Red Snapper

Grouper

Total number caught per
trip

2 Red Snapper

6 Grouper

Bag limit

5 Red Snapper

2 Grouper

Minimum size limit

16 inches

24 inches

Catch at or above the
minimum size

1 Red Snapper

6 Grouper

Trip cost

$105

$105

Catch of target
species you are legally
allowed to keep

1 Red Snapper

2 Grouper

Catch of other fish you
are legally allowed to
keep

1 fish

3 fish

No Trip

Do
something else,
but not take a
saltwater fishing
trip.

Which trip would you choose? Please select only one.
Trip A
Trip B
No Trip

Questions? call xxx xxxxxxx at 1.xxx.xxx.xxxx

7

Fishing Trips

B3 Please look at the table, compare all the features of
each fishing trip, and then answer the question below.
Definitions
• Target species: The species
of fish you expect to catch on
the trip.
• Total number of fish caught
per trip: Your expected total
catch of the target species.
Your total may be restricted
by the bag limit and/or the
minimum size limit.
• Bag limit: The number of the
target species that you are
legally allowed to keep per
fishing trip.
• Minimum size limit: The
minimum length of the target
species that you may keep.
You are not legally allowed to
keep fish that measure less
than this length.
• Catch at or above minimum
size: Your expected catch of
the target species that are
equal to or longer than the
minimum size limit.
• Trip cost: Includes your
personal share of the costs
associated with gas, wear
and tear on your vehicle,
tolls, ferries, parking, access
fees, food, ice, bait, and
fishing equipment used on
this trip.
• Other fish: Any fish you might
expect to catch on a fishing
trip for the target species (not
including the target species).

Features

Trip A

Trip B

Target species

Grouper

King Mackerel

Total number caught per
trip

6 Grouper

1 King Mackerel

Bag limit

3 Grouper

5 King Mackerel

Minimum size limit

20 inches

28 inches

Catch at or above the
minimum size

6 Grouper

1 King Mackerel

Trip cost

$140

$140

Catch of target
species you are legally
allowed to keep

3 Grouper

1 King Mackerel

Catch of other fish you
are legally allowed to
keep

3 fish

6 fish

No Trip

Do
something else,
but not take a
saltwater fishing
trip.

Which trip would you choose? Please select only one.
Trip A
Trip B
No Trip

Questions? email us at xxxx.xxxxxx@noaa.gov

8

Fishing Trips

B4 Please look at the table, compare all the features of
each fishing trip, and then answer the question below.
Definitions
• Target species: The species
of fish you expect to catch on
the trip.
• Total number of fish caught
per trip: Your expected total
catch of the target species.
Your total may be restricted
by the bag limit and/or the
minimum size limit.
• Bag limit: The number of the
target species that you are
legally allowed to keep per
fishing trip.
• Minimum size limit: The
minimum length of the target
species that you may keep.
You are not legally allowed to
keep fish that measure less
than this length.
• Catch at or above minimum
size: Your expected catch of
the target species that are
equal to or longer than the
minimum size limit.
• Trip cost: Includes your
personal share of the costs
associated with gas, wear
and tear on your vehicle,
tolls, ferries, parking, access
fees, food, ice, bait, and
fishing equipment used on
this trip.
• Other fish: Any fish you might
expect to catch on a fishing
trip for the target species (not
including the target species).

Features

Trip A

Trip B

Target species

Grouper

Dolphin

Total number caught per
trip

6 Grouper

10 Dolphin

Bag limit

2 Grouper

20 Dolphin

Minimum size limit

24 inches

18 inches

Catch at or above the
minimum size

2 Grouper

6 Dolphin

Trip cost

$45

$140

Catch of target
species you are legally
allowed to keep

2 Grouper

6 Dolphin

Catch of other fish you
are legally allowed to
keep

6 fish

6 fish

No Trip

Do
something else,
but not take a
saltwater fishing
trip.

Which trip would you choose? Please select only one.
Trip A
Trip B
No Trip

Questions? call xxx xxxxxxx at 1.xxx.xxx.xxxx

9

Fishing Trips

B5 Please look at the table, compare all the features of
each fishing trip, and then answer the question below.
Definitions
• Target species: The species
of fish you expect to catch on
the trip.
• Total number of fish caught
per trip: Your expected total
catch of the target species.
Your total may be restricted
by the bag limit and/or the
minimum size limit.
• Bag limit: The number of the
target species that you are
legally allowed to keep per
fishing trip.
• Minimum size limit: The
minimum length of the target
species that you may keep.
You are not legally allowed to
keep fish that measure less
than this length.
• Catch at or above minimum
size: Your expected catch of
the target species that are
equal to or longer than the
minimum size limit.
• Trip cost: Includes your
personal share of the costs
associated with gas, wear
and tear on your vehicle,
tolls, ferries, parking, access
fees, food, ice, bait, and
fishing equipment used on
this trip.
• Other fish: Any fish you might
expect to catch on a fishing
trip for the target species (not
including the target species).

Features

Trip A

Trip B

Target species

King Mackerel

King Mackerel

Total number caught per
trip

1 King Mackerel

2 King Mackerel

Bag limit

3 King Mackerel

3 King Mackerel

Minimum size limit

24 inches

24 inches

Catch at or above the
minimum size

1 King Mackerel

2 King Mackerel

Trip cost

$140

$70

Catch of target
species you are legally
allowed to keep

1 King Mackerel

2 King Mackerel

Catch of other fish you
are legally allowed to
keep

6 fish

3 fish

No Trip

Do
something else,
but not take a
saltwater fishing
trip.

Which trip would you choose? Please select only one.
Trip A
Trip B
No Trip

Questions? email us at xxxx.xxxxxx@noaa.gov

10

Fishing Trips

B6 Please look at the table, compare all the features of
each fishing trip, and then answer the question below.
Definitions
• Target species: The species
of fish you expect to catch on
the trip.
• Total number of fish caught
per trip: Your expected total
catch of the target species.
Your total may be restricted
by the bag limit and/or the
minimum size limit.
• Bag limit: The number of the
target species that you are
legally allowed to keep per
fishing trip.
• Minimum size limit: The
minimum length of the target
species that you may keep.
You are not legally allowed to
keep fish that measure less
than this length.
• Catch at or above minimum
size: Your expected catch of
the target species that are
equal to or longer than the
minimum size limit.
• Trip cost: Includes your
personal share of the costs
associated with gas, wear
and tear on your vehicle,
tolls, ferries, parking, access
fees, food, ice, bait, and
fishing equipment used on
this trip.

Features

Trip A

Trip B

Target species

Red Snapper

Dolphin

Total number caught per
trip

3 Red Snapper

6 Dolphin

Bag limit

1 Red Snapper

6 Dolphin

Minimum size limit

16 inches

20 inches

Catch at or above the
minimum size

2 Red Snapper

6 Dolphin

Trip cost

$45

$140

Catch of target
species you are legally
allowed to keep

1 Red Snapper

6 Dolphin

Catch of other fish you
are legally allowed to
keep

1 fish

3 fish

No Trip

Do
something else,
but not take a
saltwater fishing
trip.

Which trip would you choose? Please select only one.

• Other fish: Any fish you might
expect to catch on a fishing
trip for the target species (not
including the target species).

Trip A
Trip B
No Trip

Questions? call xxx xxxxxxx at 1.xxx.xxx.xxxx

11

Fishing Trips

B7 Please look at the table, compare all the features of
each fishing trip, and then answer the question below.
Definitions
• Target species: The species
of fish you expect to catch on
the trip.
• Total number of fish caught
per trip: Your expected total
catch of the target species.
Your total may be restricted
by the bag limit and/or the
minimum size limit.
• Bag limit: The number of the
target species that you are
legally allowed to keep per
fishing trip.
• Minimum size limit: The
minimum length of the target
species that you may keep.
You are not legally allowed to
keep fish that measure less
than this length.
• Catch at or above minimum
size: Your expected catch of
the target species that are
equal to or longer than the
minimum size limit.
• Trip cost: Includes your
personal share of the costs
associated with gas, wear
and tear on your vehicle,
tolls, ferries, parking, access
fees, food, ice, bait, and
fishing equipment used on
this trip.
• Other fish: Any fish you might
expect to catch on a fishing
trip for the target species (not
including the target species).

Features

Trip A

Trip B

Target species

Dolphin

Grouper

Total number caught per
trip

3 Dolphin

6 Grouper

Bag limit

15 Dolphin

3 Grouper

Minimum size limit

24 inches

18 inches

Catch at or above the
minimum size

1 Dolphin

6 Grouper

Trip cost

$70

$105

Catch of target
species you are legally
allowed to keep

1 Dolphin

3 Grouper

Catch of other fish you
are legally allowed to
keep

3 fish

6 fish

No Trip

Do
something else,
but not take a
saltwater fishing
trip.

Which trip would you choose? Please select only one.
Trip A
Trip B
No Trip

Questions? email us at xxxx.xxxxxx@noaa.gov

12

Fishing Trips

B8 Please look at the table, compare all the features of
each fishing trip, and then answer the question below.
Definitions
• Target species: The species
of fish you expect to catch on
the trip.
• Total number of fish caught
per trip: Your expected total
catch of the target species.
Your total may be restricted
by the bag limit and/or the
minimum size limit.
• Bag limit: The number of the
target species that you are
legally allowed to keep per
fishing trip.
• Minimum size limit: The
minimum length of the target
species that you may keep.
You are not legally allowed to
keep fish that measure less
than this length.
• Catch at or above minimum
size: Your expected catch of
the target species that are
equal to or longer than the
minimum size limit.
• Trip cost: Includes your
personal share of the costs
associated with gas, wear
and tear on your vehicle,
tolls, ferries, parking, access
fees, food, ice, bait, and
fishing equipment used on
this trip.
• Other fish: Any fish you might
expect to catch on a fishing
trip for the target species (not
including the target species).

Features

Trip A

Trip B

Target species

King Mackerel

Red Snapper

Total number caught per
trip

3 King Mackerel

3 Red Snapper

Bag limit

2 King Mackerel

2 Red Snapper

Minimum size limit

24 inches

18 inches

Catch at or above the
minimum size

1 King Mackerel

1 Red Snapper

Trip cost

$105

$70

Catch of target
species you are legally
allowed to keep

1 King Mackerel

1 Red Snapper

Catch of other fish you
are legally allowed to
keep

6 fish

1 fish

No Trip

Do
something else,
but not take a
saltwater fishing
trip.

Which trip would you choose? Please select only one.
Trip A
Trip B
No Trip

Questions? call xxx xxxxxxx at 1.xxx.xxx.xxxx

13

Section C: About You and Your Household
Different types of anglers may have different preferences for fisheries
management. The following basic demographic questions will help fishery
managers understand the opinions of different types of anglers. The
information you provide will remain strictly confidential, and you will not
be identified with your answers.

C1 Are you........?
Male

Female

C2 What is the highest level of education you have completed?
Some high school
High school graduate
2-year degree or technical school
Some college
College graduate
Professional or doctoral degree

C3 What best describes your employment status? Please check all that apply.
Employed full-time
Employed part-time
Full time homemaker
Retired
Student (part-time)
Student (full-time)
Unemployed
Other (specify)_______________________

Questions? email us at xxxx.xxxxxx@noaa.gov

14

C4 What year were you born?

Year:

C5

What is your race?
White
Black/African American
Hispanic/Spanish
Asian/Pacific Islander
American Indian
Other:__________________________________

C6 Which of the following categories best describes your household’s total annual income
before taxes in 2002?
Less than $15,599
$15,600 - $31,199
$31,200 - $46,799
$46,800 - $62,399
$62,400 - $77,999
$78,000 - $93,599
$93,600 - $109,199
$109,200 - $124,799
$124,800 - $139,999
Greater than $140,000

C7 Was this survey completed by the person to whom it was mailed?
Yes

No

Questions? call xxx xxxxxxx at 1.xxx.xxx.xxxx

15

Thank You for Participating!
Please use the space below to make any additional comments you may have. If you
have any questions regarding the survey, please call 1.xxx.xxx.xxxx or email
xxxx.xxxxxx@noaa.gov

Notwithstanding any other provisions of the law; no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to
the requirement of the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. Public reporting burden for this survey is estimated to
average 30 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information. Send comments regarding thsi burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to xxx xxxxxxx, NMFS F/ST1, 1315
East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20901.

Questions? email us at xxxx.xxxxxx@noaa.gov

16