Trip Cost Data

To provide economic information about commercial fishing in the south Atlantic snapper-grouper and mackerel fisheries in federal waters off the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and the east coast of Florida, including the Florida Keys.

Trip level information is requested because revenues and variable costs (e.g., fuel, ice, and bait) vary continuously depending on factors that include seasonal fluctuations in fish abundance due to each species' life history and migratory patterns, market conditions, and changes in fishery regulations, all of which may affect a fisherman's choice of target species, fishing gear, or fishing grounds.

Fixed cost data (e.g., new gear purchases; major hull/engine/gear maintenance and repair; boat docking fees; and hull and liability insurance) are requested to accurately estimate annual expenses and overall profitability of the fleet. Data are used in analyses of the economic effects of proposed regulations on commercial fishermen in the south Atlantic snapper-grouper and mackerel fisheries.

This program is an add-on to the Fisheries Logbook System and records the economic activities of a random sample of vessels which are required to report fishing activity via logbooks submitted for each trip

There are two parts to this data collection. One part requests information about operating costs associated with individual fishing trips, and the second part requests information about fixed costs on an annual basis.

Trip costs are reported by fishermen in the Trip Expense and Payment Section of the Logbook Trip Report Form for the snapper-grouper and mackerel fisheries. This information includes the quantities used and costs per trip for major variable inputs such as fuel, bait and ice, and crew costs.

Fixed costs are expenditures made infrequently throughout the year or only once per year, and hence are requested annually via a mail survey. Vessel owners are required to submit the annual form in the spring of the following calendar year so that they can use their accounting records organized during the preparation of their income tax returns.

A random sample of boats (stratified by gear and region) in the south Atlantic snapper-grouper and mackerel fisheries are required to report both types of economic information in conjunction with the existing requirement to report information about their catches and fishing effort.

Read and sign for NOAA Administrative Order 216-100

Read and sign System Access Application (see URLs)

Contact DBA Daniel Leon at:daniel.leon@noaa.gov for userid/password.

Access is restricted to personnel authorized in accordance with NOAA Administrative Order 216-100. A signed non-disclosure agreement must be on file for all authorized personnel.

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