West Coast Fisheries Participation Survey Result Tool - 2020

The participation survey result tool is available to help analyze and convey the scope of the survey responses. There are charts and tables summarizing responses to the survey questions. To maintain confidentiality of the data we show only the percentage of individuals who selected each response to the questions. Results can be viewed for all respondents or by state of residence of the respondents. The frequency table as well as the charts can be downloaded.

Age and Experience

What was your age in 2020? How many years have you been involved in fishing as a paid crew member, captain and/or vessel owner? How much longer do you expect to continue to fish or operate a vessel commercially?

Family and Social Connections to Fishing

How many immediate family members also work in the fishing industry? How many extended family members also work in the fishing industry? Besides your family, what proportion of the people that you interact with regularly (e.g., friends, social acquaintances, colleagues, business associates, etc.)work in the fishing industry? How many generations of commercial fishermen does your family represent?

Fishing Community and Fishing Identity

How would you define the fishing community you feel most a part of? Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements about your fishing identity and community.

Preference of Fishing as a Job

Given the choice between fishing and an alternative job for which you are qualified, would you prefer fishing or the alternative job if the expected pay for both was the same? How much more would another job have to pay for you to prefer it over fishing? Please indicate your level of job satisfaction associated with each of these potential attributes of commercial fishing in terms of your own experience as a fisherman.

Role as Captain

Do you captain your own vessel? If applicable, what is the maximum number of crew you employ on your fishing boat, not including the captain? Have you ever continued fishing in order to provide employment for crew when you thought the profits earned by the vessel might fail to cover expenses?

Challenges to Fishing

How important are the following issues, challenges or impediments to making a living as a fisherman? Has your fishing operation been affected by fishery closures in the last two years? If you answered yes to the question above, how did you respond to the closure? Please indicate your level of agreement with the statement: “I have adapted my fishing strategies in response to an environmental change.” If applicable, indicate your level of agreement with the statement “I can find the skilled crew I need to run my fishing operation.” How far are you willing to travel to catch fish (nautical miles)? Do you have adequate information about fishing season projections to make decisions about your annual operations? Do you have adequate access to processors or first receivers in order to sell your catch?

Catch Kept for Personal Use

Do you keep some of your commercial catch for your own use and/or sharing with family and friends? Roughly how many pounds of catch do you keep each year for personal use?

Household Characteristics

How many people are in your household? What was your approximate household income in 2019? Do you have health insurance and, if so, how is it acquired?

Income from Fishing

In 2019, what percentage of your household income came from commercial fishing? In 2019, what percentage of the income you personally contributed to your household was from work other than commercial fishing? In 2019, did you personally earn non-fishing income during this quarter? What percentage of time do you spend in self-marketing your catch?

Representation in Management

Do you belong to an industry association or organization that represents your interest in management decision-making? Please indicate your level of agreement with the statement: “I have adequate opportunity to participate in fisheries management processes.” Please indicate your level of agreement with the statement: “My fishery interests are represented and considered in decision-making.”