West Coast Swordfish Fishery (WCSF) Survey Instrument an

Economic Surveys of Specific US Commercial Fisheries

SW IC West Coast Swordfish Fishery (WCSF) IC Survey Instrument and letters for initial and reminder mailing 070620

West Coast Swordfish Fishery

OMB: 0648-0773

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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE

Southwest Fisheries Science Center

8901 La Jolla Shores Drive

La Jolla, CA 92037-1508


SW IC 105309801


Letter to vessel owners the contractor was not able to contact by phone and who did not respond to an earlier mailing


Shape1 Date


Dear <<potential respondent’s name>>,

We are writing to ask for your help in improving the understanding of the west-coast swordfish fisheries by participating in a voluntary study by NOAA’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC). We have enclosed the survey in this mailing with a postage paid addressed envelope addressed to the study contractor, Doyle Hanan of Hanan&Associates, who will keep all data confidential. I hope that you will help in this study by taking the time to complete and return the survey.

The most recent data the SWFSC has on the costs and earnings of swordfish fishing businesses in California is from 2011. We are asking you to help provide the information needed to produce updated and accurate estimates of these fisheries’ economic contributions to local communities and the West Coast. We will also use this information to estimate the impacts that changes in economic, environmental and management conditions have on these fisheries. The survey focuses on two primary types of information: (1) business costs and earnings, which we will use for assessing the economic contribution and financial performance of this fleet, and (2) your opinions about the economic state of swordfish fisheries.


Over the last several months, Doyle has tried to reach you to schedule a confidential telephone or video call interview. Please contact Doyle at (858) 832-1159 or by email at doylehanan@gmail.com to indicate whether you prefer to provide the requested survey information during a phone or video interview or by mail.

Data collected with this survey will not be released for public use except in aggregate statistical form without identification as to its source. To protect the confidentiality of the information you provide, the information will be aggregated (averaged with at least two other businesses) in all reports to either resource managers or the public.


While your participation is voluntary, we hope you will help us in this effort to provide better economic information to understand and manage these important fisheries.


Thank you for your time.


Sincerely,


Stephen Stohs, PhD

NOAA Fisheries, Southwest Fisheries Science Center

Fisheries Resource Division, Economics Group

858-546-7084 (Stephen.stohs@noaa.gov)

First mailing/intro letter with survey included


Date


Dear <<potential respondent’s name>>,


NOAA’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center has contracted with Dr. Doyle Hanan to conduct an economic survey of vessel owners, pilots and processors participating in the swordfish fisheries. This survey is similar to one conducted a few years ago. We need the requested economic information to produce updated and accurate estimates of these fisheries’ economic contributions to local communities and the West Coast, as well as to estimate the impacts changes in economic, environmental and management conditions have on these fisheries. The Pacific Fishery Management Council will use the estimates for these important fisheries to make informed management decisions based on the economic impacts on fishery participants and local communities. Doyle will call you in the next two weeks to set up a phone or video interview for the survey or to determine if you prefer to submit the information requested in the attached survey by mail. Please look for his call or call him at (858) 832-1159.


Thank you,


Stephen Stohs, PhD

NOAA Fisheries, Southwest Fisheries Science Center

Fisheries Resource Division, Economics Group

858-546-7084 (Stephen.Stohs@noaa.gov)





Section 1: Vessel Information for Drift Gillnet, Harpoon, Longline or Deep Set Buoy Gear Only


1

Owner: Operator:

2

Captain:

3

Vessel Name:

4

Position of person filling out form:


5

Contract captain used? 2018-2019 Yes □ No 2018-2019 % of time:

2019-2020 □ Yes □ No

2019-2020 % of time:

6

Year current captain was born

19____

7

Captain: years fishing

yrs

8

Captain: years operating current fishing vessel

yrs

9

Year vessel purchased

10

Purchase price

$

11

Estimated market value of vessel

$

12

Insured replacement value of vessel

$

13

Vessel purchase loan principle balance

$

14

Vessel loan payments

$ yr/mo?

15

Time remaining on this loan

Yrs Mos

16

Vessel depreciation and amortization

2018-2019 $

2019-2020 $

17

Capital Construction Fund (CCF) contributions

2018-2019 $

2019-2020 $

18

Total Insurance cost: (vessel, liability, and health combined)

2018-2019 $

2019-2020 $

19

Do you participate in a cooperative fishermen’s pool? □ Yes □ No

20

Electronics (Check all on vessel): □ INMARSAT □ Cellular phone □ VHF radio □ CB Radio □ SSB Radio □ Video plotter □ Autopilot □ Satellite navigation □ Computer □ Depth sounder □ Radar □ Sonar □ GPS □ Doppler Radar □ Temperature sensor □ Weather fax □ Other:

21

Total Electronics Cost

2018-2019 $

2019-2020 $

22

Refrigeration: □ Brine Spray, □ Chiller, □ Blast Freeze

Other

a)

Year purchased


b)

Purchase price

$

c)

Maintenance Costs

2018-2019 $

2019-2020 $

23

Icemaker?

Yes □ No

a)

Year purchased


b)

Purchase price

$

24

Total crew per trip (exclude captain)

Crew:

25

Fishing shares (percentage or actual cash)

2018-2019

2019-2020

a)

Boat /Vessel

____% or $ ______

____% or $ ______

b)

Captain

____% or $ ______

____% or $ ______

c)

2nd Captain

____% or $ ______

____% or $ ______

d)

Engineer

____% or $ ______

____% or $ ______

e)

Crew

____% or $ ______

____% or $ ______



Section 1: Continued

2018-2019 2019-2020

26

Annual mooring or slip / berthing fees (if charged separately)

$

$

27

Shipping costs

$

$

28

Annual fuel and oil costs / amounts If Total:

$

gal

$

gal

a)

Fuel If Separate:

$

gal

$

gal

b)

Oil If Separate:

$

gal

$

gal

29

Annual food costs

$

$

30

Engine replacement costs Year

$

$

31

Annual total vessel repairs and maintenance

$

$

a)

Does this include haul out fees?

Yes □ No

Yes □ No

b)

Haul out fee if charged

$

$

32

Fishing association membership dues (Please circle month or year)

$ Mo/Yr

$ Mo/Yr

33

Total license fees (local, state, federal, combined)

$

$

34

Total County or Landing, vessel and berthing fees

$

$

35

Total business travel (car, airplane, train, other____________________)

$

$

36

Total vehicle expenses

$

$

a)

Cost of new vehicle if purchased

$

$

37

Off-vessel fish storage/refrigeration expenses

$

$

38

Office expenses

$

$

39

Total fishing trips per year this vessel (all types of commercial fishing)

trips

trips

40

Total days per trip on average

days

days

41

Total days fished per trip on average

days

days

42

Did you use a spotter plane?

Yes □ No

Yes □ No

43

For how many trips did you use a spotter plane?

trips

trips

44

Do you own the plane? (If yes please fill out Section 6)

Yes □ No

Yes □ No

45

If rental plane, what was the rental fee?

$ per

$ per

46

Who is responsible for paying for fuel and oil for the plane?



a)

Total fuel cost (if known):

$

$

b)

Total oil cost (if known):

$

$

c)

Total if combined (if known):

$

$

47

If pilot was paid a share or percentage of catch/gross/etc. please provide:

_­­__% or $____

___% or $___

48

If pilot was paid a flat-rate, please provide:

$ per___

$ per___

49

Do you share the cost of a spotter plane or pilot with others? Yes□ No indicate your share as a percentage or dollar amount (please circle units)

_­­_­­_% or $____ per: Day/Mo/Yr

_­­__% or $­___ per: Day/Mo/Yr

50

How did you decide to use the spotter plane? □ Weather □ Availability

Spotter Ability □ Cost □ Increased catch (Check all that apply)

Other:

Other:

51

Did increased catch justify the cost of using the plane?

Yes □ No

Yes □ No

Section 2: Questions for Drift Gillnet Fishery (DGN) Participants Only

2018-2019 ↓ 2019-2020

1

Total fishing trips per year this vessel (DGN fishing)

trips

trips

2

Total days per trip on average (DGN)

days

days

3

Total days fished per trip on average (DGN)

days

days

4

Net configurations used during 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 and Targeted species:


In 2018-2019 net used for what fishery/species (SWD, Shark, Bluefin, Yellowfin, other) List Target Fish

a)

Net 1: Length (ft/fm)

Depth (ft/fm)

Mesh (inches)


b)

Net 2: Length (ft/fm)

Depth (ft/fm)

Mesh (inches)


c)

Net 3: Length (ft/fm)

Depth (ft/fm)

Mesh (inches)



In 2019-2020 net used for what fishery/species (SWD, Shark, Bluefin, Yellowfin, other) List Target Fish

d)

Net 1: Length (ft/fm)

Depth (ft/fm)

Mesh (inches)


e)

Net 2: Length (ft/fm)

Depth (ft/fm)

Mesh (inches)


f)

Net 3: Length (ft/fm)

Depth (ft/fm)

Mesh (inches)


5

How much extra net (auxiliary or for repair) kept on vessel? Length: (ft/fm)

6

Current drift net total initial cost

$

7

Current drift net year purchased

Year:

a)

Current drift net remaining useful life expectancy

years

b)

Current pingers brand and remaining useful life expectancy


years

c)

Drift net annual equipment costs

2018-2019 $

2019-2020 $

d)

Drift net annual maintenance & repair cost

2018-2019 $

2019-2020 $

e)

Lost gear, depredation, other costs, Please Specify:





2018-2019 $

2019-2020 $

8

Total Catch & Revenue

Drift Gillnet Fishery

2018-2019 CATCH (Specify Units)

2018-2019 REVENUE

2019-2020 CATCH (Specify Units)

2019-2020 REVENUE

a)

Swordfish


$


$

b)

Shark


$


$

c)

Tuna


$


$

d)

Other (list)






$


$



Section 3: Questions for Harpoon Fishery Participants Only

2018-2019 2019-2020

1

Total fishing trips per year this vessel (HPN fishing)

trips

trips

2

Total days per trip on average (HPN)

days

days

3

Total days fished per trip on average (HPN)

days

days

4

Why do you harpoon? (Check all that apply) □ Primary source of income □ Opportunistic/supplemental

Recreational □ Tax write-off Income □ Lower fuel costs □ Most cost efficient method of fishing

Other:

5

Percentage of your fishing income from harpooning

2018-2019 %

2019-2020 %

6

How many harpooning trips did you fish other gear?

2018-2019

2019-2020

a)

Troll

Trips

Trips

b)

Hook and Line

Trips

Trips

c)

Longline

Trips

Trips

d)

Pots

Trips

Trips

e)

Other

Trips

Trips

7

Total harpoon gear costs? (gun, retrofitting, plank, floats, line, and other ________________________)

$

$

8

Other fishing costs, Please Specify:




$

$

9

Total Catch & Revenue

Harpoon Fishery

2018-2019 CATCH Specify Units

(#, lbs, or both)

2018-2019 REVENUE

2019-2020 CATCH Specify Units

(#, lbs, or both)

2019-2020 REVENUE

a)

Swordfish


$


$

b)

Shark


$


$

c)

Tuna (Specify___________)


$


$

d)

Other (please list):






$


$



Section 4: Questions for Longline Participants Only

2018-2019 2019-2020

1

Total fishing trips per year this vessel (LL fishing)
trips

trips

2

Total days per trip on average (LL)
days

days

3

Total days fished per trip on average (LL)
days

days

4

Longline gear purchase price

$

a)

Year purchased


b)

Expected longevity

Yrs

c)

Longline length

Miles

5

Annual longline operating costs Total if combined:

$

a)

Gangion/branch lines If separate:

$

b)

Hooks If separate:

$

c)

Bait If separate:

$

d)

Trans-shipment costs If separate:

$

6

Total Catch & Revenue

Longline Fishery

2018-2019 CATCH (Specify Units)

2018-2019 REVENUE

2019-2020 CATCH (Specify Units)

2019-2020 REVENUE

a)

Swordfish


$


$

b)

Shark


$


$

c)

Tuna


$


$

d)

Other (list)


$


$

Section 5: Questions for Deep Set Buoy Gear Participants Only

2018-2019 ↓ 2019-2020

1

Total fishing trips per year this vessel (DSBG fishing)
trips

trips

2

Total days per trip on average (DSBG)
days

days

3

Total days fished per trip on average (DSBG)
days

days

4

Buoy Gear purchase price

$

a)

Year purchased


b)

Expected longevity

Yrs

c)

Main Line length

Miles

5

Annual buoy gear operating costs Total if combined:

$

a)

Gangion/branch lines If separate:


b)

Hooks If separate:

$

c)

Bait If separate:

$

d)

Trans-shipment costs If separate:

$

6

Total Catch & Revenue

Longline Fishery

2018-2019 CATCH (Specify Units)

2018-2019 REVENUE

2019-2020 CATCH (Specify Units)

2019-2020 REVENUE

a)

Swordfish


$


$

b)

Shark


$


$

c)

Tuna


$


$

d)

Other (list)


$


$



Section 6: Questions for Spotter Plane Pilot or Owner Only


1

Owner: Operator:


2

Year pilot was born

19____

3

Years as a spotter pilot

yrs

4

Type of airplane


5

Year built


6

Year purchased


7

Purchase price

$

8

Estimated replacement value of airplane

$

9

Insured replacement value of airplane

$

10

Airplane purchase loan principle balance

$

11

Airplane loan payments

$ per

12

Time remaining on this loan

yrs mos

13

Airplane depreciation and amortization

$

14

Electronics (Check all on airplane): □ INMARSAT □ Cellular phone □ VHF radio □ CB Radio □ SSB Radio □ Computer □ Radar □ GPS □ Other:

15

Total Electronics Cost


16

Total Insurance cost: (vessel, liability, and health combined)

2018-2019 $

2019-2020 $


Total Annual Cost (book keeping and tax preparation)

2018-2019 $

2019-2020 $

17

Engine(s) horse power

hp

hp

18

Fuel consumption

gal/hr

gal/hr

19

Annual Operating Costs:



a)

Number of gallons of fuel and oil (combined or split)

gal.

gal.

b)

Total fuel and oil costs while fishing (combined)

2018-2019 $

2019-2020 $

c)

Maintenance

2018-2019 $

2019-2020 $

d)

Parts (tires, brakes, engine, etc.)

2018-2019 $

2019-2020 $

f)

Transit of the plane to/from fishing grounds

2018-2019 $

2019-2020 $

g)

Equipment (GPS, binoculars, software, etc.)

2018-2019 $

2019-2020 $

20

Total Flight Days and Hrs Spotting:

2018-2019

2019-2020

a)

Swordfish

Days Ave Hrs/day

Days Ave Hrs/day

b)

Shark

Days Ave Hrs/day

Days Ave Hrs/day

c)

Tuna

Days Ave Hrs/day

Days Ave Hrs/day

d)

Small Pelagics (Anch/Sard/Mac)

Days Ave Hrs/day

Days Ave Hrs/day

e)

Other

Days Ave Hrs/day

Days Ave Hrs/day

21

Total Catch & Revenue Spotter Plane

2018-2019 CATCH (Specify Units)

2018-2019 Spotter Plane Revenue

2019-2020 CATCH (Specify Units)

2019-2020 Spotter Plane Revenue

a)

Swordfish


$


$

b)

Shark


$


$

c)

Tuna


$


$

d)

Small Pelagics


$


$

e)

Other:

Explain:







Section 7: Questions for Processor Participants Only

1

Owner:

2

Operator:

3

Business Name:

4

Position of person filling out form:

5

Corporation Type:

6

Year incorporated:

7

Year purchased:

8

Purchase price: $



2018-2019

2019-2020

9

Annual accountant fees

$

$

10

Annual Rent, Lease, or Mortgage costs (circle which applies)

$

$

11

Outstanding loan amounts

$

$

12

Total annual labor costs

$

$

13

Building & equipment maintenance

$

$

14

Insurance costs:

a)

FDIC

$

$

b)

Workers comp

$

$

c)

Health insurance costs

$

$

d)

Longshore & Harbor workers

$

$

e)

Pension funding

$

$

15

Harbor fees

$

$

16

Telephone costs

$

$

17

Vehicle costs



a)

Maintenance (non-vehicular)

$

$

b)

Insurance

$

$

c)

Fuel

$

$

d)

New purchases

$

$

18

Maintenance costs

$

$

19

Total swordfish purchased (please specify number or weight)



20

Total cost swordfish purchased

$

$


Section 8: Questions for Former Swordfish Participant/Operator Only


1

Name owner/operator:

2

Were you the Captain

Yes □ No

3

Vessel Name

4

Position person filling out form

5

Last year fished


6

Year captain was born

19____

7

Captain: years fishing

yrs

8

Captain: years operating fishing vessel

yrs

9

Do you currently participate in a commercial fishery? □Yes □No

If yes, which fishery(s) ­­­­­

10

Why did you leave the Swordfish fishery (please briefly describe)?


Economics? □Yes □No




Regulations? □Yes □No




Other? □Yes □No



Section 9: Additional West Coast Swordfish Fishery Survey

Questions for All Participants



  1. How have you participated in the swordfish fishery either up to the present or in the past? Check all that apply.

Longline fisherman

Drift gillnet fisherman

Harpoon fisherman

Spotter pilot

Processor plant manager or equivalent

Skipper

Vessel owner

Other __________________________







  1. From your perspective, what impact has regulation of the west coast swordfish fishery had on the fishery in which you participate? (Please be specific regarding regulations and their impacts.)































  1. What gears should be authorized for use to target swordfish off the West Coast?

Longline

Drift gillnet

Harpoon

Buoy

Other __________________________



Section 9: Continued



  1. Are hard caps for marine mammal and sea turtle species an effective bycatch management tool?

Yes

No

In a few words, please explain why you answered “Yes” or “No”













  1. Did you know the PFMC is soliciting applications for, and has issued Exempted Fishing Permits to target swordfish using deep-set buoy gear in California over the last few years?






  1. Do you have any interest in applying for an Exempted Fishing Permit to target swordfish using deep-set buoy gear?

Yes

No

In a few words, please explain why you answered “Yes” or “No”

















Section 9: Continued



  1. Should the level of commercial swordfish fishing activity on the West Coast of the U.S. change?

Yes, commercial swordfish fishing activity on the U.S. West Coast should increase.

No, commercial swordfish fishing on the U.S. West Coast should stay the same or decrease.



In a few words, please explain why you answered “Yes” or “No”



















  1. Are you concerned that changing environmental conditions (weather, local target or protected species abundance, etc.) will affect the operation of the West Coast Swordfish Fishery or the related fishing community?

Yes, environmental change will affect the operation of the West Coast Swordfish Fishery.

No, environmental change will have no effect.

If yes, in a few words, what are some impacts that you expect?
















Section 9: Continued



  1. If the Pacific Fishery Management Council amended the Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan to authorize shallow or deep-set longline fishing within the West Coast Exclusive Economic Zone to target swordfish, would you potentially be interested in participating?

Yes, I would potentially be interested to participate in a West Coast Shallow-set Longline Swordfish Fishery.

No, I would not be interested to participate.

Explain in a few words why or why not.







The next group of questions are intended to help capture the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic response on fisheries.

  1. How have you changed your fishing activities due to COVID-19?



  1. What are the main reasons you made those changes?



  1. By how much did your total annual fishing costs change in 202X-202X due to COVID-19? $_____.00



  1. By how much did your total annual fishing revenue change in 202X-202X due to COVID-19? $_____.00



The Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) 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. The SWFSC and the Pacific Fishery Management Council will use this information to monitor, explain and predict changes in the economic performance and impacts of the West Coast Swordfish Fishery. Among other things, this will enable fisheries managers and the public to more fully consider the economic effects of proposed and existing regulations for this important fishery.


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/20XX. Without this approval, we could not conduct this information collection. Public reporting for this information collection is estimated to be approximately 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 information collection. All responses to this information collection are voluntary Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other suggestions for reducing this burden to Dr. Stephen Stohs, NMFS SWFSC, 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037-1508, Stephen.Stohs@noaa.gov.


We appreciate the confidential nature of the data being collected by this survey. The SWFSC 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). The SWFSC will protect individual survey data from public disclosure to the extent permitted by law and it has instituted procedures to provide that protection.

File Typeapplication/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document
File TitleWest Coast Drift Gillnet and Harpoon Fishery Annual Cost and Earnings Survey
AuthorDoyle
File Modified0000-00-00
File Created2021-01-13

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