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%.

Stated preference choice experiment data were collected in conjunction with NMFS’ Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey (MRFSS) along the coastal states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts during 2014. All anglers intercepted in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts for NMFS' Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) intercept survey 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 else: Freshwater fishing, Saltwater fishing for species other than cod, haddock and pollock, or don't go 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 1,763 surveys were mailed out and 481 completed mail surveys were returned for a response rate of 27%.

Stated preference choice experiment data were collected in conjunction with NMFS’ Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey (MRFSS) along the coastal states of Maine through North Carolina during calendar year 2010. All anglers intercepted in the Northeast for the MRFSS were asked to participate in a voluntary follow-up mail survey. All anglers that agreed to participate in the follow-up were sent mail questionnaires using a modified Dillman Tailored Design. Anglers were given the option of completing the survey by mail or online. The choice experiment survey asked anglers that have targeted summer flounder, scup, or black sea bass 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, 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 10,244 surveys were mailed out and 3,067 completed mail surveys were returned for a response rate of 30%.

A series of expenditure surveys have been done both regionally and nationally. This data pertains to the Northeast U.S. states that was collected in 1998. 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.

Stated preference choice experiment data were collected in 2012 from Massachuestts saltwater recreational fishermen. Saltwater anglers fishing in Massachusetts (MA) waters who obtained a 2012 saltwater recreational fishing permit during the first four months of 2012 were elgible for participation in the study. Potential survey respondents were drawn randomly each month beginning in February and ending in May of 2012. The study consisted of three separate sample groups. The first consisted of 700 anglers who received dichotomous choice contingent valuation mail questionnaires designed to elicit hypothetical WTA measures of the value of its licenses. A second sample group of 700 anglers received questionnaires developed to obtain hypothetical WTP valuations. For the third sample group we simulated an actual market for fishing licenses by offering 500 anglers cash in return for giving up their 2012 fishing license. In total, 1,900 questionnaires were mailed to anglers who obtained a license during the first four months of 2012 and 1,225 surveys were completed for an overall response rate of 64%.

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.

This layer is intended to represent the geographic extent of NOAA Fisheries’ Pre-Recruit Survey transects. The collaborative Pre-Recruit Survey started in 2011 and is led by NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center. This survey includes researchers from NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Oregon State University, University of Oregon, and the University of California, Santa Cruz. This consistent survey has generated significant information on within- and between-year variability in the California Current Marine Ecosystem and has yielded valuable insights into the food web off our coast. Parameters and ecological processes quantified during this effort are used in forecasts involving species, assemblages, and ecosystems and also to parameterize ecosystem models used to evaluate cumulative risks and managerial strategies. Annual surveys are conducted within the coastal ecosystem off Oregon and Washington. At all stations a Cobb Trawl at 30 m is towed. Data on hydrology, plankton, small fish, and predators are collected along transects over the continental shelf from Oregon and Washington. Specimens are collected for diet analysis, growth, containment load, and other studies related to the ecology and production of commercially important taxa and their relationships within the food web.

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.

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.