SWFSC Correspondence for the West Coast Albacore Fishery Cost-Earnings Survey 09292

File Name: 119216001119216001119216001

Cover letter

[Date]

Dear <<Name of potential respondent>>,

To gauge economic impacts of proposed and existing regulations, federal fishery managers must have accurate baseline economic information for the West Coast Albacore Fishery. Without this information, an accurate assessment of the potential economic impacts of fishery conservation and management is not possible, making it difficult for fishery managers to measure the economic impacts of regulatory actions on fishery participants.

We have developed a survey to provide vital economic information about the West Coast Albacore Fishery regarding harvesters’ fishing costs. You have the options of providing the information requested in the attached survey during a phone or video interview or by mail.

It is very important that you understand that this is a voluntary survey. Any information submitted to the Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) or its contractor in response to this survey will be considered confidential and will not be disclosed at an individual level except: (1) to the federal contractor administering the survey who is bound to release data only to the SWFSC; (2) to NMFS employees and Pacific Fishery Management Council employees who are responsible for fishery monitoring and who are bound by signed legal agreement not to disclose confidential data; (3) to state employees pursuant to an agreement with the Secretary of Commerce that prevents the disclosure of this information; or (4) when required by court order. The public reporting burden for completing this form is estimated to average one hour per response. No confidential data submitted by any participant will be publicly released in a manner that allows identification of individual proprietary information. Therefore, any publicly released information will be grouped to include information for no fewer than three individuals.

The SWFSC has contracted with <<contractor name>> to conduct the survey. He will call you in the next two weeks to set up a phone or video interview for the survey or to determine if you would rather submit the requested information by mail. Please look for his call or call him at (XXX) XXX-XXXX.

Thank you very much for your participation.

Send comments regarding this survey or burden estimate to:

Dr. Stephen Stohs

NMFS SWFSC

8901 La Jolla Shores Drive

La Jolla, CA 92037-1508

Stephen.Stohs@noaa.gov

858.546-7084