Crew/Owner Survey

>> Overview

The Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s Social Science Branch (SSB) is conducting two surveys of participants in the commercial fishing industry in the New England and the Mid-Atlantic states. The two surveys are being administered to a randomly selected sample of approximately 1,000 commercial fishing vessel owners and 1,500 crew, including hired captains.

The vessel owner and crew surveys are focused on fisheries management across all Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) and specifically target information related to fisheries performance for which data are not currently being collected.

The surveys focus on gathering information to develop five specific measures of fisheries performance that were identified in 2009 by the SSB in collaboration with representatives from the fishing industry throughout New England.

These measures are:

financial viability of the fisheries
distribution of revenues
stewardship of marine resources
fisheries governance
well-being of fishing families

The data we are collecting include:

information on crew
wage calculation systems
individual and community well-being
fishing practices
job satisfaction
job opportunities
attitudes toward fisheries management

The survey data we are collecting will be used to:

fill in gaps in the data currently routinely collected by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), which will allow for a broader understanding of the importance of fishing to states and communities
provide the data needed to analyze changes in the fisheries over time, including social and economic impacts from changes in regulations

>> When should I expect to receive the survey?

Crew Members:

We will survey 1300 crew members on the docks, beginning in mid-August 2012, and continuing for approximately 12 months. View the full Crew Survey Port Schedule.
In December 2012 and January 2013 our interviewers will be in the following locations:

December 2012:
            Massachusetts: Gloucester
            North Carolina: Beaufort
            Rhode Island: Port Judith
            Virginia: Oyster, Newport News

January 2013:
            Connecticut: Stonington
            North Carolina: Beaufort, Oriental
            Virginia: Oyster

Vessel Owners:

We will mail survey packets to a sample of approximately 1300 vessel owners in New England and the Mid-Atlantic, based on fishery. Vessel owners will be able to return their completed surveys by mail in the provided postage paid envelope.

Mailing Schedule

August 13, 2012: Mailing of pre-notifications
August 20, 2012: Mailing of survey

>> Number of people who have answered so far Coming Soon!

>> Survey Results Coming Soon!

>> Survey Reports Coming Soon!

>> Get a copy of the survey

Want to know more about our Crew and Owners Survey? If you are interested in seeing what information we are requesting in our Crew and Owners Surveys, you can download copies of the surveys for your own reference.

Currently, only copies of the Crew Surveys in English have been posted. We will post the Owners Survey and Spanish and Portuguese translations of all surveys soon.

CREW SURVEY