OMB Control No. 0648-0773 Expiration Date: xx/xx/20XX
American Samoa Small Boat Fishery Cost-Earnings Survey (2021)
Hello, please help us (NOAA) to better understand the importance of small boat fishing in American Samoa. We want to best represent American Samoa fishermen and we can only do that by hearing from as many fishermen as possible. Your details of fishing experiences and expenditures are important to ensure accurate results. While your response is voluntary, we hope that you can help us in this research.
We appreciate the confidential nature of the data being collected by this survey. NMFS will handle individual survey data as confidential business information and a form of protected personal information and will maintain the confidentiality of the information consistent with legal authorities available to it, 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). NMFS will protect individual survey data from public disclosure to the extent permitted by law and it has instituted procedures to provide that protection.
Date of Survey _______________ Fisherman’s name _________________ Surveyer (staff) ____________________
SECTION A. YOUR FISHING EXPERIENCES
Different fishermen in American Samoa had different fishing experiences over 2020. Please tell us about yours.
1. Are you …
Boat owner (but not going out for fishing) |
Owner operator |
Captain (not boat owner) |
Crew |
2. What type of fishing trips did you take in 2020?
I went fishing using a boat only |
Go to Q3 |
I went fishing sometimes using a boat and sometimes not using a boat |
Go to Q3 |
I went fishing not using a boat |
Go to Q5 |
3. Approximately how many BOAT fishing trips did you take in 2020? ___________________trips
(If not sure, please provide answer below):
0 |
Fewer than 12 trips (once every month or less) 12-24 trips (once every other week) |
25-49 trips (once a week) |
50-99 trips (once or twice a week) |
100-200 trips (two or three times a week) or more |
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4. We understand you may use multiple gears in a trip, please estimate in 2020, what percent of your BOAT fishing trips were:
(please check one for each gear type)
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None (0%) |
Very little (1%-9%) |
Some (10%-39%) |
About half (40%-59%) |
Most (60%-89%) |
Almost all (90%-100%) |
Spearfishing
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Deepwater bottomfish
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Nearshore/shallow bottomfish
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Trolling
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Nets
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Other gear, please specify:
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5. Approximately how many NON-BOAT fishing (shoreline) trips did you take in 2020?
0 |
Fewer than 12 trips (once every month or less) 12-24 trips (once every other week) |
25-49 trips (once a week) |
50-99 trips (once or twice a week) |
100-200 trips (two or three times a week) or more |
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6. In 2020, what percent of your NON-BOAT fishing (shoreline) trips were: (please check one for each gear type)
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None (0%) |
Very little (1%-9%) |
Some (10%-39%) |
About half (40%-59%) |
Most (60%-89%) |
Almost all (90%-100%) |
Rod and reel (pole) |
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Spearfishing |
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Cast/throw net |
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Other gear, please specify: |
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_____________________ |
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7. In 2020, what percent of your fishing time occurred in local and federal jurisdiction?
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None (0%) |
Very little (1%-9%) |
Some (10%-39%) |
About half (40%-59%) |
Most (60%-89%) |
Almost all (90%-100%) |
Local waters (0-3 miles)
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Federal waters (3 miles offshore)
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8. How many people in total, including yourself, are on board for an average fishing trip? _______________ people
9. In 2020, approximately how many total pounds of pelagic fish (such as tunas, wahoo, mahimahi, etc.) did you catch?
None |
101 - 500 pounds |
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1 - 50 pounds |
501 - 1000 pounds |
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51 - 100 pounds |
More than 1000 pounds |
About how much? _________ pounds |
10. In 2020, approximately how many total pounds of deepwater bottomfish (such as red snapper, black trevally, lunartail
grouper, etc.) did you catch?
None |
101 - 500 pounds |
|
1 - 50 pounds |
501 - 1000 pounds |
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51 - 100 pounds |
More than 1000 pounds |
About how much? _________ pounds |
11. In 2020, approximately how many total pounds of nearshore/shallow bottomfish (such as redgill emperor, blueline snapper,
jobfish, etc.) did you catch?
None |
101 - 500 pounds |
|
1 - 50 pounds |
501 - 1000 pounds |
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51 - 100 pounds |
More than 1000 pounds |
About how much? _________ pounds |
12. In 2020, approximately how many total pounds of reef fish (such as parrotfishes (fuga), surgeonfishes (alogo), unicomfishes
(ume), etc.) did you catch?
None |
101 - 500 pounds |
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1 - 50 pounds |
501 - 1000 pounds |
|
51 - 100 pounds |
More than 1000 pounds |
About how much? _________ pounds |
13. In 2020, what percent of your fishing trips were sampled by the biosampling program?
None (0%) |
Very little (1%-9%) |
Some (10%-39%) |
About half (40%-59%) |
Most (60%-89%) |
Almost all (90%-100%) |
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SECTION B. MARKET PARTICIPATION
14. What is your primary motivation for fishing? (if multiple applies to you, put 1 as primary, 2 as secondary, and 3 as tertiary)
Purely Recreational (I fished only for sport or pleasure)
Recreational Expense (I fished primarily for sport or pleasure, but I also sell a few fish to cover trip expenses)
Subsistence (I fish primarily to catch fish to feed myself/my family/my community)
Cultural (I enjoy fishing, but I am even more concerned about keeping traditional practices alive, such as using traditional
fishing gear)
Part-time Commercial (Fishing pays some of my bills, but I still have to work at another job)
Full-time Commercial (Fishing brings in most or all of the money I make in a year)
Other, please specify:_______________________________________________
15. In 2020, how was catch distributed among fishermen in a fishing trip? (please check one and estimate percentage)
I kept all the fish I caught (for sale/given away/self-consumption) |
I kept/received __________ % of total fish caught |
I kept/received __________ % of trip revenue |
Don’t know/different every time |
Other, please describe:__________________________________ |
16. In 2020, what percent of your catch was:
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None (0%) |
Very little (1%-9%) |
Some (10%-39%) |
About half (40%-59%) |
Most (60%-89%) |
Almost all (90%-100%) |
Consumed at home
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Given away
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Caught and released
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Sold
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17. In 2020, did you ever sell any of the fish you caught?
Yes Q18 |
No Q22 |
If you sold any of your fish…
18. In 2020, where did you sell your fish?
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Fagatogo Market Place |
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Restaurants/stores |
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Roadside/farmers’ market |
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Friends/neighbors/coworkers |
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Other, please specify |
__________________________ |
If you sold any of your fish…
19. In 2020, what was the approximate value of all the fish you sold?
$1 - $100 |
$1,001 - $2,000 |
$10,001 - $20,000 |
$101 - $500 |
$2,001 - $5,000 |
$20,001 - $50,000 |
$501 - $1,000 |
$5,001 - $10,000 |
More than $50,000, specify $_____________________ |
If you sold any of your fish…
20. In 2020, what percent of the value of fish sold (question 19) came from the sale of pelagic fish, deepwater bottomfish,
nearshore/shallow bottomfish, and reef fish?
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None (0%) |
Very little (1%-9%) |
Some (10%-39%) |
About half (40%-59%) |
Most (60%-89%) |
Almost all (90%-100%) |
Pelagic fish |
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Deepwater bottomfish |
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Nearshore/shallow bottomfish |
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Reef fish |
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If you sold any of your fish…
21. In 2020, after expenses, what percent of your personal income came from the sale of fish?
None (0%) |
Very little (1%-9%) |
Some (10%-39%) |
About half (40%-59%) |
Most (60%-89%) |
Almost all (90%-100%) |
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SECTION C. YOUR VESSEL
In this section, we want to better understand the vessel and gear characteristics of boat based fishery in American Samoa.
22. Do you own the boat that you fish on?
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Yes Go to Question 23 |
No Go to Question 31 |
If you own the boat that you fish on…
23. In 2020, what percent of time did other people (other than family members) use the boat without you?
None (0%) |
Very little (1%-9%) |
Some (10%-39%) |
About half (40%-59%) |
Most (60%-89%) |
Almost all (90%-100%) |
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24. What is the length of your boat? _______________ feet
25. What is the total horsepower? _______________hp
26. In what year was the boat built? _______________
27. In what year did you purchase the boat you fish on? _______________
(If homebuilt – when did you complete it?)
28. How much did you pay to purchase the boat you fish on? $________________
(If homebuilt – how much did it cost to build it?)
29. What is the approximate market value of your boat?
(considering age and current condition and including motor(s) and trailer) $____________________
30. Please enter the year in which you made any major improvement to you vessel _________________
SECTION D. YOUR FISHING TRIP COSTS
We now want to understand your per trip costs for fishing.
Please remember that all your answers are strictly confidential.
31. In 2020, what was the primary gear usage for your most common trip (please check one)?
Spearfishing |
Trolling |
Deepwater bottomfish |
Nets |
Nearshore/shallow bottomfish |
Other gear, specify ____________________ |
31a. On average per trip, how much money did you spend on your most common (question 31) gear type trip?
Type of Expenditure
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Trip Expenditure |
Amount |
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Boat fuel
|
$_____________________________ |
___________gallons |
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Truck fuel (round-trip)
|
$_____________________________ |
___________gallons |
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Oil
|
$_____________________________ |
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Ice
|
$_____________________________ |
___________lbs |
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Bait
|
$_____________________________ |
___________case(s) |
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Food and beverage
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$_____________________________ |
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Daily maintenance and repair
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$_____________________________ |
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Gear lost
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$_____________________________ |
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Other, please specify: _________________________ |
$_____________________________ |
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31b. Is the cost in Q31a the total trip costs for all fishermen in a trip, or just the portion you paid? |
Total costs for all fishermen in a trip |
Only the portion I paid, and it is approximately _________ % of the total trip costs
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32. In 2020, what was your second most common gear usage (please check one)?
Spearfishing |
Trolling |
Deepwater bottomfish |
Nets |
Nearshore/shallow bottomfish |
Other gear, specify ____________________ |
32a. On average per trip, how much money did you spend on your second most common (question 32) gear type trip?
Type of Expenditure
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Trip Expenditure |
Amount |
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Boat fuel
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$_____________________________ |
___________gallons |
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Truck fuel (round-trip)
|
$_____________________________ |
___________gallons |
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Oil
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$_____________________________ |
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Ice
|
$_____________________________ |
___________lbs |
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Bait
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$_____________________________ |
___________case(s) |
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Food and beverage
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$_____________________________ |
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Daily maintenance and repair
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$_____________________________ |
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Gear lost
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$_____________________________ |
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Other, please specify: _________________________ |
$_____________________________ |
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32b. Is the cost in Q32a the total trip costs for all fishermen in a trip, or just the portion you paid? |
Total costs for all fishermen in a trip |
Only the portion I paid, and it is approximately _________ % of the total trip costs
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SECTION E. 2020 FISHING EXPENDITURES (for boat owner only)
In an effort to better understand your economic contribution to American Samoa’s economy, we would like to ask about your fishing-related expenditures in 2020. In the table below please indicate how much, if any, was spent on the following items during 2020.
Enter “0” if you did not have any expenses in a category. Please do not leave blank.
Remember that all your answers are strictly confidential.
33. Cost Category 2020 Expenditure (dollars)
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Boat insurance ……………………………………………………..
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$____________________ |
per month per year |
Loan payments ..…………………………………………………… |
$_____________________ |
per month per year |
Mooring fees ………………………………………………………...
|
$_____________________ |
per month per year |
Gear replacement/repair from wear and tear (lines, lures, gaffs, rods, electric/hydraulic reels, spears, wetsuits, coolers, safety equipment, etc.) …………………………
|
$_____________________ |
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Annual boat and trailer repair, maintenance, and improvements (exclude daily expenses).................................
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$_____________________ |
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Fees (registration for truck and trailer, safety, dry dock fees, etc.) ….………………………………………………………………..
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$_____________________ |
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Financial service……..…………………………………………......
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$____________________ |
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Other, please specify: ..…………………………………………... _________________________ |
$_____________________ |
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SECTION F. ABOUT YOU
Different people have different fishing experiences and different motivations for fishing.
The following questions help us to better understand these differences.
34. What is your gender?
Male |
Female |
35. What is your age?
Less than 25 years |
45 to 54 years |
25 to 34 years |
55 to 64 years |
35 to 44 years |
More than 64 years |
36. What village do you live in? _____________________
37.
Are you Hispanic or Latino?
Yes, Hispanic or Latino |
No, not Hispanic or Latino |
38. How would you describe your race? (check all that apply)
Samoan |
Black or African American |
American Indian or Alaska Native |
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander |
Asian |
White |
39. What is the highest level of education you have completed?
Less than 9th grade |
Associates degree or technical school |
Some high school (no diploma) |
College graduate (bachelor degree) |
High school graduate (including GED) |
Advanced, professional, or doctoral degree |
Some college (no degree) |
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40. What was your total household income, before taxes, in 2020, including fishing income?
Less than $10,000 |
$50,000 to $99,999 |
$10,000 to $24,999 |
$100,000 to $249,999 |
$25,000 to $49,999 |
$250,000 or more |
SECTION G. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
41. Given your experience, do you think in the next year more people will be going … (please check one for each)
Pelagic Fishing |
Deepwater Bottomfish Fishing |
Nearshore/Shallow Bottomfish Fishing |
Reef Fishing |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
42. Why do you feel this way? _____________________________________________________________________________
43. What are the top three (3) species you target …
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1 |
2 |
3 |
To sell?
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To keep for self-consumption?
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To give away?
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44. Please state how much you agree or disagree with the following statements:
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Strongly Disagree |
Disagree |
Neutral |
Agree |
Strongly Agree |
As someone who fishes I am respected by the community |
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Fishing is an important part of who I am |
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Fishing is an important part of my culture |
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45. How important are the following for managing fisheries in American Samoa?
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Not at all Important |
Slightly Important |
Moderately Important |
Very Important |
Extremely Important |
Rules are followed and enforced |
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My voice is included in decision making |
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Managers know how many fish there are |
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Managers know how healthy the reef / other habitats are |
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Managers know about the fisher(men) and fishing community (income, culture, etc.) |
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Managers build or maintain fisheries infrastructure (boat ramps, harbors, etc.) |
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Other, please specify: |
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46. Please state how much you agree or disagree that following management is being done well:
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Strongly Disagree |
Disagree |
Neutral |
Agree |
Strongly Agree |
Rules are followed and enforced |
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My voice is included in decision making |
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Managers know how many fish there are |
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Managers know how healthy the reef / other habitats are |
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Managers know about the fisher(men) and fishing community (income, culture, etc.) |
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Managers build or maintain fisheries infrastructure (boat ramps, harbors, etc.) |
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Other, please specify: |
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47. Do you have any suggestions for how American Samoa’s fisheries should be managed or topics that you feel need further
study?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
48. How have you changed your fishing activities due to COVID-19?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
49. What are the main reasons you made those changes?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for participating in this survey.
The information you have provided will improve our understanding of the importance of fishing in American Samoa.
Would you like to receive a copy of the final report for this study? (all personal information will be kept strictly confidential)
Yes |
Name: _______________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________ |
No |
Email address:____________________________________ |
May
we contact you if we have any questions about your survey responses?
Yes |
Phone: _________________________ Best time to reach you: ___________________________________ |
No |
(your phone number will be kept strictly confidential) |
Paperwork
Reduction Act Statement. NOAA’s
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is collecting this economic
information to improve its ability to conduct the analyses required
by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
(MSA) and other applicable law. NMFS and the Regional Fishery
Management Councils will use this information to monitor, explain
and predict changes in the economic performance and impacts of
commercial fisheries. Among other things, this will enable
fisheries managers and the public to more fully consider the
economic effects of proposed and existing regulations for federally
managed fisheries.
A
Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty
for failure to comply with an information collection subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 unless the
information collection has a currently valid OMB Control Number.
The approved OMB Control Number for this information collection is
0648-0773 and its expiration data is XX/XX/2023. Without this
approval, we could not conduct this information collection. Public
reporting for this information collection is estimated to be
approximately 45 minutes per response, including
the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data
sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing
and reviewing the information collection. All
responses to this information collection are voluntary. Send
comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this
information collection, including suggestions for reducing this
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File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
File Title | NOAA’s Survey |
Subject | Samoan Version |
Author | Tero M. Talamoa |
File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
File Created | 2021-01-13 |