January 25, 2021 — The National Marine Fisheries Service and the University of Florida are conducting a second national telephone survey of fishermen, seafood dealers and processor to assess the effects of covid-19 during the second half of 2020.
A report on findings from the first survey reported the pandemic crushed industry revenues by a combined 29 percent from March into July, as the seafood industry reeled from U.S. restaurant closures and export markets drying up.
University of Florida researchers are working with NMFS on the project, and organizers urge fishermen to be on the lookout for calls coming to their phones from the Florida 352 area code.
“Phone survey participants were selected using carefully designed random sample. If you were selected, you will receive a phone call from the University of Florida with a 352 area code,” according to a statement Friday from NMFS. “Your response is very important to the success of this survey. It will take less than 10 minutes, and the information you provide is strictly confidential.