Stated preference choice experiment data were collected in conjunction with NMFS’ Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey (MRFSS) along the coastal states of Maine through New Jersey during calendar year 2009. All anglers intercepted in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey for the MRFSS were asked to participate in a voluntary follow-up mail survey. Anglers who agreed to participate in the follow-up were sent mail questionnaires using a modified Dillman Tailored Design. The choice experiment survey asked anglers that have targeted Gulf of Maine cod, haddock, or pollock to simultaneously compare features of different hypothetical fishing trips and then to choose the trip they liked best. The features or attributes varied across trips and included bag and size limits of each species, the number of legal-sized fish caught of each species, the number of sub-legal sized fish caught of each species, the number of other types of fish that were legally kept, the trip length in hours, and the total trip cost. Respondents were also permitted to choose an opt-out option which was “Do something other than saltwater fishing.” The collection of choice responses from the various choice scenarios allows for the examination of tradeoffs and behavioral responses to various biological and regulatory changes. A total of 4,577 surveys were mailed out and 1,491 completed mail surveys were returned for a response rate of 33%.

Revealed preference models provide insights into recreational angler behavior and the economic value of recreational fishing trips. This data is for the Northeast and is collected as needed, at irregular intervals. Typically collected as an economic add-on to the MRIP intercept survey and follow up phone or mail survey.

Revealed preference models provide insights into recreational angler behavior and the economic value of recreational fishing trips. This data is for the Northeast and is collected as needed, at irregular intervals. Typically collected as an economic add-on to the MRIP intercept survey and follow up phone or mail survey.

NOAA Fisheries implemented a national survey of saltwater recreational anglers beginning in February 2013. The survey was implemented in six regions including the North Atlantic, MidAtlantic, South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, West Coast, and Alaska. This report, Volume I, presents the survey results at the national scale only. The survey was developed through a collaborative process that underwent extensive reviews by NOAA Fisheries’ economists, NOAA Fisheries’ regional recreational coordinators and by key recreational fishing stakeholder groups. The survey was also tested with four focus groups. Following these reviews and testing, the survey was approved for an information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act. Surveys were administered using a mail survey and followed the Modified Dillman Method (Dillman 2007). Overall, a total of 33,673 anglers were recruited for the survey; just over 27% (9,200) returned a completed survey. Response rates were highest in the North Atlantic region (38.3%) and lowest in the Gulf of Mexico (21.1%). On average, respondents have participated in recreational saltwater fishing for 28 years, and fished 25 days during the last year. The majority of the respondents fish from a private boat within three miles of shore; however, most trips were taken from a shore mode, including beaches, piers or bridges. The vast majority of respondents stated that they would not decrease their number of fishing trips in the following year. For the majority of those who would reduce their trips, it would be for financial reasons. Anglers responding to the survey usually used friends and family as sources of information about fishing. Spending time with family friends is an important part of a fishing trip, but catching fish and fishing in uncongested areas are also important to anglers. Anglers who anticipated they would fish less in the coming year did not primarily identify fishing regulations as the cause, but rather most frequently cited financial considerations and lack of leisure time as the likely causes of decreased fishing trips. Broadly, anglers think that the most important recreational fisheries management objectives should be: providing high quality fishing opportunities for future generations, providing different types of fish, and providing large quantities of fish. Anglers also want federal and state agencies to have consistent and simple regulations. While providing substantial numbers of fish to catch and providing species diversity were rated as important for most anglers, only about half of the respondents were satisfied with how recreational fisheries management addresses these issues. The most important management strategies that recreational fisheries should focus upon are: providing enough fish for recreational fishermen, incorporating stakeholder interests in the policy process, and monitoring and enforcing recreational fishing regulations. When designing specific management regulations, anglers tended to prefer management measures such as restoring habitat, establishing minimum size limits, and providing artificial habitat.

A series of expenditure surveys have been done both regionally and nationally. Expenditures on trips by mode (for-hire, private boat, and shore) were collected for both residents and non-residents of each state, and annual expenditures on durable goods were collected by resident status. Expenditures were collected both as an add-on to the intercept, and a followup phone survey with those who completed the intercept and a separate random sample of households.

This survey collected information to assess the economic value from an anglers perspective of saltwater charter and private boat fishing for selected species in south Atlantic states and to evaluate the economic effect of proposed management alternatives on these anglers. Respondents were anglers who were intercepted (by MRIP) and volunteered to receive a mail survey in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and the east coast of Florida. Questions related to the respondents past experiences with saltwater fishing as well as questions concerning the opinions and attitudes of the respondent about saltwater fishing were asked. A stated preference choice experiment allows for the calculation of willingness to pay related to four important species.

A series of expenditure surveys have been done both regionally and nationally. This data pertains to the West coast states . Expenditures on trips by mode (for-hire, private boat, and shore) were collected for both residents and non-residents of each state, and annual expenditures on durable goods were collected by resident status. Expenditures were collected both as an add-on to the intercept, and a followup phone survey with those who completed the intercept and a separate random sample of households.

To collect data on an angler's last trip for revealed preference models and economic valuation purposes. Typically done as an add-on to the MRIP intercept survey and done as needed, periodically

NOAA’s Saltwater Recreational Fishing Attitudes and Preference Survey is a national survey focusing specifically on understanding saltwater anglers’ attitudes and preferences regarding the management of recreational (non-commercial) fishing opportunities.The Hawaii version of the survey was implemented between June and August 2015

This survey provides economic data related to marine recreational fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. The data collected include preference and opinion information necessary to accurately measure the economic effects of regulation changes on the recreational fishing community. The mail survey design was stratified to cover three sampling frames: 1) the MRIP saltwater angler registry for private boat anglers 2) the LA for-hire angler license frame for these anglers and 3) volunteers intercepted by MRIP for for-hire anglers outside of LA. A stated preference choice experiment allows for the calculation of willingness to pay related to four important species.