July 20, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
If you received a survey in the mail from NOAA Fisheries and our partner, the University of Florida, please complete it. The results will help us assess the impact of COVID-19 on commercial/for-hire fishing operations and on seafood dealers and processors.
Survey participants were selected as part of a carefully designed random sample. If you received a letter, your response is very important to the success of this survey. It will take less than 6 minutes, and the information you provide is strictly confidential.
We are using this multi-region survey to inform NOAA Fisheries, the Department of Commerce, Congress, fishery management councils, state fishery managers, and stakeholders about the economic and social impacts that the recent economic downturn has had on the fishing industry.
NOAA Fisheries will draft reports for the public detailing the revenue losses and recovery of fishing-dependent businesses over the past few months.
If you have further questions regarding the survey please contact Eric Thunberg.