Northeast Vessel Cost Survey
is in the Mail
The first of three new or redesigned surveys designed to collect vital information on the operational costs and culture of commercial fishing launched Friday August 10, when an annual vessel cost survey hit the mail. The annual vessel cost survey, last conducted in 2009, has been significantly redesigned with the help of fishermen. About 1700 vessel owners will receive a 2012 survey. Although that’s not every owner, the pool covers all the fisheries, gear types, and vessel sizes in the Northeast, to capture how these costs may vary. Collected over time, these economic data will be used to evaluate proposed changes to fishery management plans, provide a more complete picture of economic impacts from regulatory actions in the fisheries.