Mariner Survey

Right Whale Mandatory Ship Reporting System: What do you think?

The National Marine Fisheries Service, the federal agency responsible for the stewardship of living marine resources and their habitat, is sponsoring a survey to obtain mariner’s feedback on the North Atlantic right whale mandatory ship reporting (MSR) system.

This is a voluntary survey. Your feedback will be used to evaluate and improve the North Atlantic right whale MSR system. All survey responses are anonymous and confidential.

OMB Control No. 0648-xxxx. Expiration Date: xx/xx/xxxx. Public reporting burden for this information collection is estimated to average 10 minutes per response. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or other suggestions for reducing this burden to Kristy Wallmo, 301-427-8190 or Kristy.Wallmo@noaa.gov.

Information will not be released for public use except in aggregate statistical form without identification as to its source. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subjected to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.  

1. Are you aware of the North Atlantic right whale MSR system?

• Yes

• No. If box is checked survey will skip to Q7.

2. During the year, about how many times do you enter one of the North Atlantic right whale MSR areas?

• I enter one of the North Atlantic right whale MSR areas on a regular basis

If box above is checked, survey will prompt: Approximately _____ times per year

• I have entered one of the North Atlantic right whale MSR areas but not on a regular basis

• I have not entered one of the North Atlantic right whale MSR areas. If checked, survey will skip to Q6, the third part.

3. Which North Atlantic right whale MSR area do you enter most frequently?

• North MSR area

• South MSR area

• About the same amount for both areas

4. When you enter a North Atlantic right whale MSR area, how often do you send a report as part of the North Atlantic right whale MSR system?

• Always

• Most of the time

• Some of the time

• Rarely

5. After sending in a report to the North Atlantic right whale MSR system, have you received a message about right whale regulations and tips on how to avoid interactions with right whales?

• Yes

• No

6. Please check the box that best represents your level of agreement with each statement.

	Strongly Agree	Somewhat Agree	Neither Agree nor Disagree	Somewhat Disagree	Strongly Disagree
After entering one of the North Atlantic right whale MSR areas…
…it is relatively easy to send in the required report					
…I generally follow the report format exactly as specified in the instructions					
…I send in the report as soon as possible					
…sending in the required report takes time away from other duties I have on the ship					
After receiving the automated message about right whale regulations and tips on avoiding interactions with right whales…
…I generally don’t have time to read the entire message					
…I am more alert about avoiding or watching for right whales					
…I find the information to be useful for the captain and crew					
…some aspect of the ship’s operation may change (e.g. speed, post extra lookouts) to avoid an interaction					
In my opinion the North Atlantic right whale MSR system…
… is important for right whale conservation					
…is an unnecessary requirement for ships					

7. How many years have you worked in the maritime industry? ______________

1. How many years as a crew member? ___________________________

2. How many years as a captain? ________________________________

8. What type of ship do you work on? __________________________________

9. Please add any additional comments you have concerning the MSR system in this box.

Type comments here