West Coast Open Access Groundfish, Non-tribal Salmon, Crab, and Shrimp Fisheries

105304201

National Marine Fisheries Service

Northwest Fisheries Science Center

2725 Montlake Blvd E.

Seattle, WA 98112

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We recently invited you to participate in a cost earnings survey of commercial fishing vessel owners being conducted by the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission in cooperation with the National Marine Fisheries Service. This survey targets vessel owners who (1) participate in the West Coast groundfish, salmon, crab, and shrimp fisheries and (2) do no hold a limited entry permit. This survey was designed through industry collaboration and updates a similar survey conducted during 2014. Our goal is to support fisheries management decision-making and to generate information that is required to help meet legal and regulatory requirements.

Data will be collected through in-person or telephone interviews and mail questionnaires. Based on the lack of availability of a telephone number, you have been selected for a mail questionnaire. A copy of the mail questionnaire is enclosed. Please complete the questionnaire and return it in the enclosed self-addressed stamped envelope. If you would rather complete the survey in-person of by phone, please contact Jerry Leonard at the number below.

Because you and other vessel owners are the only ones that can provide this information, we encourage you to participate in this survey. Your participation is voluntary and you are not required to participate in this survey. However, by collecting information from vessel owners like you, we can better understand average fleet characteristics as well as diversity within the fleet. With this information, fisheries managers will be better able to consider the effect of regulations.

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to speaking with you.

Sincerely,

Jerry Leonard

National Marine Fisheries Service

jerry.leonard@noaa.gov

(206)-302-1742

Confidentiality

We appreciate the confidential nature of the data being collected by this survey. The NWFSC will maintain the confidentiality of the information consistent with legal authorities available to the NWFSC, 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). In the event that the NWFSC receives a formal request for the information pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. Section 552) the NWFSC will protect confidentiality to the extent possible under Exemption 4 of the FOIA.