American Samoa Small Boat Fishery Cost-Earnings Survey

Economic Surveys of Specific US Commercial Fisheries

PI IC form for American Samoa Small Boat Fishery 070620

American Samoa Small Boat Fishery

OMB: 0648-0773

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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

Shape1 Go to Q3

I went fishing sometimes using a boat and sometimes not using a boat

Shape2 Go to Q3

I went fishing not using a boat

Shape3 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






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)



None

(0%)

Very little (1%-9%)

Some

(10%-39%)

About half (40%-59%)

Most

(60%-89%)

Almost all

(90%-100%)

Spearfishing


Deepwater bottomfish


Nearshore/shallow bottomfish


Trolling


Nets


Other gear, please specify:










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


6. In 2020, what percent of your NON-BOAT fishing (shoreline) trips were: (please check one for each gear type)



None

(0%)

Very little (1%-9%)

Some

(10%-39%)

About half (40%-59%)

Most

(60%-89%)

Almost all

(90%-100%)

Rod and reel (pole)

Spearfishing

Cast/throw net

Other gear, please specify:

_____________________








7. In 2020, what percent of your fishing time occurred in local and federal jurisdiction?



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)


Federal waters (3 miles offshore)



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


1 - 50 pounds

501 - 1000 pounds


51 - 100 pounds

More than 1000 pounds Shape4

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


51 - 100 pounds

More than 1000 pounds Shape5

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


51 - 100 pounds

More than 1000 pounds Shape6

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


1 - 50 pounds

501 - 1000 pounds


51 - 100 pounds

More than 1000 pounds Shape7

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%)



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:



None

(0%)

Very little

(1%-9%)

Some

(10%-39%)

About half (40%-59%)

Most

(60%-89%)

Almost all

(90%-100%)

Consumed at home


Given away


Caught and released


Sold



17. In 2020, did you ever sell any of the fish you caught?


Yes Shape8 Q18

No Shape9 Q22


If you sold any of your fish…

18. In 2020, where did you sell your fish?



Fagatogo Market Place



Restaurants/stores



Roadside/farmers’ market



Friends/neighbors/coworkers


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?



None

(0%)

Very little

(1%-9%)

Some

(10%-39%)

About half (40%-59%)

Most

(60%-89%)

Almost all

(90%-100%)

Pelagic fish


Deepwater bottomfish


Nearshore/shallow bottomfish


Reef fish


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%)





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?


Yes Shape10 Go to Question 23

No Shape11 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%)


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


Trip Expenditure

Amount


Boat fuel


$_____________________________

___________gallons

Truck fuel (round-trip)


$_____________________________

___________gallons

Oil


$_____________________________


Ice


$_____________________________

___________lbs

Bait


$_____________________________

___________case(s)

Food and beverage


$_____________________________


Daily maintenance and repair


$_____________________________


Gear lost


$_____________________________


Other, please specify:

_________________________

$_____________________________



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


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


Trip Expenditure

Amount


Boat fuel


$_____________________________

___________gallons

Truck fuel (round-trip)


$_____________________________

___________gallons

Oil


$_____________________________


Ice


$_____________________________

___________lbs

Bait


$_____________________________

___________case(s)

Food and beverage


$_____________________________


Daily maintenance and repair


$_____________________________


Gear lost


$_____________________________


Other, please specify:

_________________________

$_____________________________




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




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)


Boat insurance ……………………………………………………..


$____________________

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.) …………………………


$_____________________


Annual boat and trailer repair, maintenance, and improvements (exclude daily expenses).................................


$_____________________


Fees (registration for truck and trailer, safety, dry dock fees, etc.) ….………………………………………………………………..


$_____________________


Financial service……..…………………………………………......


$____________________


Other, please specify: ..…………………………………………...

_________________________

$_____________________




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)



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 …


1

2

3

To sell?





To keep for self-consumption?





To give away?











44. Please state how much you agree or disagree with the following statements:



Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly Agree

As someone who fishes I am respected by the community

Fishing is an important part of who I am

Fishing is an important part of my culture



45. How important are the following for managing fisheries in American Samoa?



Not at all Important

Slightly Important

Moderately Important

Very Important

Extremely Important

Rules are followed and enforced

My voice is included in decision making

Managers know how many fish there are

Managers know how healthy the reef / other habitats are

Managers know about the fisher(men) and fishing community (income, culture, etc.)

Managers build or maintain fisheries infrastructure (boat ramps, harbors, etc.)

Other, please specify:


46. Please state how much you agree or disagree that following management is being done well:


Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly Agree

Rules are followed and enforced

My voice is included in decision making

Managers know how many fish there are

Managers know how healthy the reef / other habitats are

Managers know about the fisher(men) and fishing community (income, culture, etc.)

Managers build or maintain fisheries infrastructure (boat ramps, harbors, etc.)

Other, please specify:









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)




Shape12

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 burden to the NOAA Fisheries at: 1845 Wasp Blvd., Building 176, Honolulu, HI 96818, Attn: Justin Hospital, and Justin.Hospital@noaa.gov if desired.











File Typeapplication/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document
File TitleNOAA’s Survey
SubjectSamoan Version
AuthorTero M. Talamoa
File Modified0000-00-00
File Created2021-01-13

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