American Samoa Small Boat Fishery Cost-Earnings Survey Data: 2021

Survey scan number assigned by surveyors.

Date survey interview was conducted.

Survey number assigned by surveyors.

Name of surveyor.

Are you...

[Boat owner (but not going out for fishing); Boat operator; Captain (not boat owner); Crew]

What type of fishing trips did you take in 2020? [I went fishing using a boat only; I went fishing sometimes using a boat, sometimes not using a boat; I went fishing not using a boat]

Approximately how many BOAT fishing trips did you take in 2020?

If Q3A blank, then Q3B. If unsure of exact number trips, please choose from response categories below. [0; Fewer than 12 trips (once every month or less);

12-24 trips (once every other week); 25-49 trips (once a week); 50-99 trips (once or twice a week); 100-200 trips (two or three times a week) or more]

We understand you may use multiple gears in a trip, please estimate in 2020, what percent of your boat fishing trips were spearfishing: [None (0%); Very Little (1-9%); Some (10-39%); About half (40-59%); Most (60-89%); Almost all (90-100%)]

We understand you may use multiple gears in a trip, please estimate in 2020, what percent of your boat fishing trips were deepwater bottomfishing: [None (0%); Very Little (1-9%); Some (10-39%); About half (40-59%); Most (60-89%); Almost all (90-100%)]

We understand you may use multiple gears in a trip, please estimate in 2020, what percent of your boat fishing trips were nearshore/shallow water bottomfishing: [None (0%); Very Little (1-9%); Some (10-39%); About half (40-59%); Most (60-89%); Almost all (90-100%)]

We understand you may use multiple gears in a trip, please estimate in 2020, what percent of your boat fishing trips were trolling: [None (0%); Very Little (1-9%); Some (10-39%); About half (40-59%); Most (60-89%); Almost all (90-100%)]

We understand you may use multiple gears in a trip, please estimate in 2020, what percent of your boat fishing trips were net fishing: [None (0%); Very Little (1-9%); Some (10-39%); About half (40-59%); Most (60-89%); Almost all (90-100%)]

We understand you may use multiple gears in a trip, please estimate in 2020, what percent of your boat fishing trips were other (please specify): [None (0%); Very Little (1-9%); Some (10-39%); About half (40-59%); Most (60-89%); Almost all (90-100%)]

If Q4F coded, Q4G. What gear?

Approximately how many NON-BOAT (shore) fishing trips did you take in 2020?

If Q5A blank, then Q5B. If unsure of exact number trips, please choose from response categories below. [0; Fewer than 12 trips (once every month or less); 12-24 trips (once every other week); 25-49 trips (once a week); 50-99 trips (once or twice a week); 100-200 trips (two or three times a week) or more]

We understand you may use multiple gears in a trip, please estimate in 2020, what percent of your non-boat (shoreline) fishing trips were rod and reel (pole): [None (0%); Very Little (1-9%); Some (10-39%); About half (40-59%); Most (60-89%); Almost all (90-100%)]

We understand you may use multiple gears in a trip, please estimate in 2020, what percent of your non-boat (shoreline) fishing trips were spearfishing: [None (0%); Very Little (1-9%); Some (10-39%); About half (40-59%); Most (60-89%); Almost all (90-100%)]

We understand you may use multiple gears in a trip, please estimate in 2020, what percent of your non-boat (shoreline) fishing trips were cast/throw net: [None (0%); Very Little (1-9%); Some (10-39%); About half (40-59%); Most (60-89%); Almost all (90-100%)]

We understand you may use multiple gears in a trip, please estimate in 2020, what percent of your non-boat (shoreline) fishing trips were other (please specify): [None (0%); Very Little (1-9%); Some (10-39%); About half (40-59%); Most (60-89%); Almost all (90-100%)]

If Q6D coded, Q6E. What gear?

In 2020, what percent of your fishing time occurred in local waters (0-3 miles)? [None (0%); Very Little (1-9%); Some (10-39%); About half (40-59%); Most (60-89%); Almost all (90-100%)]

In 2020, what percent of your fishing time occurred in federal waters (3-200 miles)? [None (0%); Very Little (1-9%); Some (10-39%); About half (40-59%); Most (60-89%); Almost all (90-100%)]

How many people in total, including yourself, are on board for an average fishing trip?

In 2020, approximately how many total pounds of pelagic fish (such as tunas, wahoo, mahimahi, etc.) did you catch? [None; 1-50 lbs; 51-100 lbs; 101-500 lbs; 501-100 lbs; More than 1000 lbs]

If Q9a coded 6, Q9B. About how much?

In 2020, approximately how many total pounds of deepwater bottomfish (such as red snapper, black trevally, lunartail grouper, etc.) did you catch? [None; 1-50 lbs; 51-100 lbs; 101-500 lbs; 501-100 lbs; More than 1000 lbs]

If Q10A coded 6, Q10B. About how much?

In 2020, approximately how many total pounds of nearshore/shallow bottomfish (such as redgill emperor, blueline snapper, jobfish, etc.) did you catch? [None; 1-50 lbs; 51-100 lbs; 101-500 lbs; 501-100 lbs; More than 1000 lbs]

If Q11A coded 6, Q11B. About how much?

In 2020, approximately how many total pounds of reef fish (such as parrotfishes (fuga), surgeonfishes (alogo), unicomfishes (ume), etc.) did you catch? [None; 1-50 lbs; 51-100 lbs; 101-500 lbs; 501-100 lbs; More than 1000 lbs]

If Q12A coded 6, Q12B. About how much?

In 2020, what percent of your boat fishing trips were sampled by the DMWR creel survey program? [None (0%); Very Little (1-9%); Some (10-39%); About half (40-59%); Most (60-89%); Almost all (90-100%)]

What is your [primary] motivation for fishing? (if multiple applies to you, put 1 as primary, 2 as secondary, and 3 as tertiary) [1 Purely Recreational (I fished only for sport or pleasure); 2 Recreational Expense (I fished primarily for sport or pleasure, but I also sell a few fish to cover trip expenses); 3 Subsistence (I fish primarily to catch fish to feed myself/my family/my community); 4 Cultural (I enjoy fishing, but I am even more concerned about keeping traditional practices alive, such as using traditional fishing gear); 5 Part-time Commercial (Fishing pays some of my bills, but I still have to work at another job); 6 Full-time Commercial (Fishing brings in most or all of the money I make in a year); 7 Other]

What is your [secondary] motivation for fishing? (if multiple applies to you, put 1 as primary, 2 as secondary, and 3 as tertiary) [1 Purely Recreational (I fished only for sport or pleasure); 2 Recreational Expense (I fished primarily for sport or pleasure, but I also sell a few fish to cover trip expenses); 3 Subsistence (I fish primarily to catch fish to feed myself/my family/my community); 4 Cultural (I enjoy fishing, but I am even more concerned about keeping traditional practices alive, such as using traditional fishing gear); 5 Part-time Commercial (Fishing pays some of my bills, but I still have to work at another job); 6 Full-time Commercial (Fishing brings in most or all of the money I make in a year); 7 Other]

What is your [tertiary] motivation for fishing? (if multiple applies to you, put 1 as primary, 2 as secondary, and 3 as tertiary) [1 Purely Recreational (I fished only for sport or pleasure); 2 Recreational Expense (I fished primarily for sport or pleasure, but I also sell a few fish to cover trip expenses); 3 Subsistence (I fish primarily to catch fish to feed myself/my family/my community); 4 Cultural (I enjoy fishing, but I am even more concerned about keeping traditional practices alive, such as using traditional fishing gear); 5 Part-time Commercial (Fishing pays some of my bills, but I still have to work at another job); 6 Full-time Commercial (Fishing brings in most or all of the money I make in a year); 7 Other]

If Q14A.1, .2, or .3 are coded 7, Q14B. Specify other.

In 2020, I: [1 I kept all the fish I caught; 2 I kept/received some % of total fish caught; 3 I kept/received some % of trip revenue; 4 Don’t know/Different every time; 5 Other]

If Q15A coded 2, then Q15B. What percent of fish did you keep?

If Q15A coded 3, then Q15C. What present of revenue did you keep?

If Q15A coded 5, Q15B. Specify other.

In 2020, what percent of your catch was consumed at home? [None (0%); Very Little (1-9%); Some (10-39%); About half (40-59%); Most (60-89%); Almost all (90-100%)]

In 2020, what percent of your catch was given away? [None (0%); Very Little (1-9%); Some (10-39%); About half (40-59%); Most (60-89%); Almost all (90-100%)]

In 2020, what percent of your catch was caught and released? [None (0%); Very Little (1-9%); Some (10-39%); About half (40-59%); Most (60-89%); Almost all (90-100%)]

In 2020, what percent of your catch was sold? [None (0%); Very Little (1-9%); Some (10-39%); About half (40-59%); Most (60-89%); Almost all (90-100%)]

In 2020, did you ever sell any of your catch? [1- Yes - skip to Q18; 2- No - skip to Q22]

Did you sell your fish at Fagatogo marketplace? [1 - yes; 2- no]

Did you sell your fish at restaurants? [1 - yes; 2 - no]

Did you sell your fish at stores? [1 - yes; 2 - no]

Did you sell your fish roadside/farmers’ market? [1 - yes; 2- no]

Did you sell your fish friends/neighbors/coworkers? [1 - yes; 2 - no]

Did you sell your fish elsewhere? [1 - yes; 2 - no]

If Q18F coded 5, Q18G. Specify other.

If Q17 coded 1, Q19a. In 2020, what was the approximate value of all the fish you sold? [1-100; 101-500; 501-1,000; 1,001 - 2,000; 2,001 - 5,000; 5,001 - 10,000; 10,001 - 20,000; 20,001 - 50,000; More than 50,000 (specify)]

If Q19A coded 9, Q19B. Specify approximate amount.

If Q17 coded 1, Q20A. In 2020, what percent of the value of fish sold (question 19) came from the sale of pelagic fish? [None (0%); Very Little (1-9%); Some (10-39%); About half (40-59%); Most (60-89%); Almost all (90-100%)]

If Q17 coded 1, Q20B. In 2020, what percent of the value of fish sold (question 19) came from the sale of deepwater bottomfish? [None (0%); Very Little (1-9%); Some (10-39%); About half (40-59%); Most (60-89%); Almost all (90-100%)]

If Q17 coded 1, Q20C. In 2020, what percent of the value of fish sold (question 19) came from the sale of nearshore/shallow water bottomfish? [None (0%); Very Little (1-9%); Some (10-39%); About half (40-59%); Most (60-89%); Almost all (90-100%)]

If Q17 coded 1, Q20D. In 2020, what percent of the value of fish sold (question 19) came from the sale of reef fish? [None (0%); Very Little (1-9%); Some (10-39%); About half (40-59%); Most (60-89%); Almost all (90-100%)]

If Q17 coded 1, then Q21. In 2020, after expenses, what percent of your personal income came from the sale of fish?

Do you own the boat you fish on? [1 yes - skip to Q23; 2 no - skip to Q31]

If Q22 coded 1, then Q23. In 2020, what percent of time did other people (other than family members) use the boat without you? [None (0%); Very Little (1-9%); Some (10-39%); About half (40-59%); Most (60-89%); Almost all (90-100%)]

If Q22 coded 1, Q24. Specify boat length.

If Q22 coded 1, Q25. Specify total horsepower of boat.

If Q22 coded 1, Q26. In what year was the boat built?

If Q22 coded 1, Q27. In what year did you purchase the boat you fish on?

If Q22 coded 1, Q28. How much did you pay to purchase the boat you fish on?

If Q22 coded 1, Q29. What is the approximate market value of your boat?

If Q22 coded 1, Q30. Specify the most recent year in which you made any major improvement to your vessel.

In 2020, what was the primary gear usage for your most common trip? [1 Spearfishing; 2 Deepwater bottomfish; 3 Nearshore/shallow bottomfish; 4 Trolling; 5 Nets; 6 Other gear]

If Q31 coded 6, Q31.2. Specify other.

On average per trip, how much money did you spend on boat fuel on your most common (question 31/31A) gear type trip?

On average per trip, how many gallons of boat fuel did you use on your most common (question 31/31A) gear type trip?

On average per trip, how much money did you spend on truck fuel (round trip) fuel on your most common (question 31/31A) gear type trip?

On average per trip, how many gallons of truck fuel did you use on your most common (question 31/31A) gear type trip?

On average per trip, how much money did you spend on oil on your most common (question 31/31A) gear type trip?

On average per trip, how much money did you spend on ice on your most common (question 31/31A) gear type trip?

On average per trip, how many pounds of ice did you use on your most common (question 31/31A) gear type trip?

On average per trip, how much money did you spend on bait on your most common (question 31/31A) gear type trip?

On average per trip, how many cases of bait did you use on your most common (question 31/31A) gear type trip?

On average per trip, how much money did you spend on food and beverages on your most common (question 31/31A) gear type trip?

On average per trip, how much money did you spend on daily maintenance/repair on your most common (question 31/31A) gear type trip?

On average per trip, how much money did you spend on gear lost on your most common (question 31/31A) gear type trip?

On average per trip, how much money did you spend on other on your most common (question 31/31A) gear type trip?

If Q31.2M Other, then Q 31.2N. Specify other.

Is the cost in Q31A the total trip costs for all fishermen in a trip, or just the portion you paid? [1 Yes – Total costs for all fishers in a trip; 2 No – Only the portion I paid]

If Q31B 2, then Q31C. The portion you paid is approximately what percent of the total trip?

In 2020, what was your second most common gear usage? [1 Spearfishing; 2 Deepwater bottomfish; 3 Nearshore/shallow bottomfish; 4 Trolling; 5 Nets; 6 Other gear]

On average per trip, how much money did you spend on boat fuel on your most common (question 31/31A) gear type trip?

On average per trip, how many gallons of boat fuel did you use on your most common (question 31/31A) gear type trip?

On average per trip, how much money did you spend on truck fuel (round trip) fuel on your most common (question 31/31A) gear type trip?

On average per trip, how many gallons of truck fuel did you use on your most common (question 31/31A) gear type trip?

On average per trip, how much money did you spend on oil on your most common (question 31/31A) gear type trip?

On average per trip, how much money did you spend on ice on your most common (question 31/31A) gear type trip?

On average per trip, how many pounds of ice did you use on your most common (question 31/31A) gear type trip?

On average per trip, how much money did you spend on bait on your most common (question 31/31A) gear type trip?

On average per trip, how many cases of bait did you use on your most common (question 31/31A) gear type trip?

On average per trip, how much money did you spend on food and beverages on your most common (question 31/31A) gear type trip?

On average per trip, how much money did you spend on daily maintenance/repair on your most common (question 31/31A) gear type trip?

On average per trip, how much money did you spend on gear lost on your most common (question 31/31A) gear type trip?

On average per trip, how much money did you spend on other on your most common (question 31/31A) gear type trip?

If Q31.2M Other, then Q 31.2N. Specify other.

Is the cost in Q32A the total trip costs for all fishermen in a trip, or just the portion you paid? [1 Yes – Total costs for all fishers in a trip;

2 No – Only the portion I paid]

If Q32B 2, then Q32C. The portion you paid is approximately what percent of the total trip?

How much did you spend per year on boat insurance?

How much did you spend per month on boat insurance?

How much did you spend per month on loan payments?

How much did you spend per year on loan payments?

How much did you spend per year on mooring fees?

How much did you spend per month on mooring fees?

How much did you spend per year on gear replacement/repair from wear and tear (lines, lures, gaffs, rods, electric/hydraulic reels, spears, wetsuits, coolers, safety equipment, etc.)?

How much did you spend per year on annual boat and trailer repair, maintenance, and improvements (exclude daily expenses)?

How much did you spend per year on fees (registration for truck and trailer, safety, dry dock fees, etc.)?

How much did you spend per year on financial services?

Did you have any other expenses? [1 Yes; 2 No]

If Q33K 1, then Q33L. Specify other.

What is your gender? [1 Male; 2 Female]

What is your age? [1 Less than 25 years; 2 25 to 34 years; 3 35 to 44 years; 4 45 to 54 years; 5 55 to 64 years; 6 More than 64 years]

What village do you live in?

Are you Hispanic or Latino? [1 Yes, Hispanic or Latino; 2 No, not Hispanic or Latino]

Do you describe yourself as being of only one race? [1 Yes; 2 No]

If Q38.1 coded 1, then Q38.1A. Please select one race from the list below. [1 Samoan; 2 American Indian or Alaska Native; 3 Asian; 4 Black or African American; 5 Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; 6 White]

If Q38.1 coded 2, then Q38.1B. Please select another race from the list below. [1 Samoan; 2 American Indian or Alaska Native; 3 Asian; 4 Black or African American; 5 Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; 6 White]

If Q38.1 coded 2, then Q38.2A. Please select another race from the list below. [1 Samoan; 2 American Indian or Alaska Native; 3 Asian; 4 Black or African American; 5 Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; 6 White]

If Q38.1 coded 2, then Q38.2B. Please select another race from the list below. [1 Samoan; 2 American Indian or Alaska Native; 3 Asian; 4 Black or African American; 5 Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; 6 White]

If Q38.1 coded 2, then Q38.2C. Please select another race from the list below. [1 Samoan; 2 American Indian or Alaska Native; 3 Asian; 4 Black or African American; 5 Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; 6 White]

If Q38.1 coded 2, then Q38.2D. Please select another race from the list below. [1 Samoan; 2 American Indian or Alaska Native; 3 Asian; 4 Black or African American; 5 Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; 6 White]

If Q38.1 coded 2, then Q38.2E. Please select another race from the list below. [1 Samoan; 2 American Indian or Alaska Native; 3 Asian; 4 Black or African American; 5 Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; 6 White]

If Q38.1 coded 2, then Q38.2F. Please select another race from the list below. [1 Samoan; 2 American Indian or Alaska Native; 3 Asian; 4 Black or African American; 5 Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; 6 White]

What is the highest level of education you have completed? [1 Less than 9th grade; 2 Some high school (no diploma); 3 High school graduate (including GED); 4 Some college (no degree); 5 Associates degree or technical school; 6 College graduate (bachelor degree); 7 Advanced, professional, or doctoral degree]

What was your total household income, before taxes, in 2020, including fishing income? [1 Less than $10,000; 2 $10,000 to $24,999; 3 $25,000 to $49,999; 4 $50,000 to $99,999; 5 $100,000 to $249,999; 6 $250,000 or more]

Given your experience, do you think in the next year more people will be going pelagic fishing? [1 Yes; 2 No]

Given your experience, do you think in the next year more people will be going deepwater bottomfish fishing? [1 Yes; 2 No]

Given your experience, do you think in the next year more people will be going nearshore/shallow water bottomfish fishing? [1 Yes; 2 No]

Given your experience, do you think in the next year more people will be going reef fish fishing? [1 Yes; 2 No]

Why do you feel this way?

What is the most important species you target to sell?

What is the second most important species you target to sell?

What is the third most important species you target to sell?

What is the most important species you target to consume?

What is the most important species you target to consume?

What is the third most important species you target to consume?

What is the most important species you target to give away?

What is the most important species you target to give away?

What is the third most important species you target to give away?

Please state how much you agree or disagree with the following statement: As someone who fishes, I am respected by the community. [1 Strongly disagree; 2 Disagree; 3 Neutral; 4 Agree; 5 Strongly agree]

Please state how much you agree or disagree with the following statement: Fishing is an important part of who I am. [1 Strongly disagree; 2 Disagree; 3 Neutral; 4 Agree; 5 Strongly agree]

Please state how much you agree or disagree with the following statement: Fishing is an important part of my culture. [1 Strongly disagree; 2 Disagree; 3 Neutral; 4 Agree; 5 Strongly agree]

How important is it that rules are followed and enforced for managing fisheries in American Samoa? [1 Not at all important; 2 Slightly important; 3 Moderately important; 4 Very important; 5 Extremely important]

How important is it that my voice is included in decision-making for managing fisheries in American Samoa? [1 Not at all important; 2 Slightly important; 3 Moderately important; 4 Very important; 5 Extremely important]

How important is it that managers know how many fish there are for managing fisheries in American Samoa? [1 Not at all important; 2 Slightly important; 3 Moderately important; 4 Very important; 5 Extremely important]

How important is it that managers know how healthy the reef/other habitats are? [1 Not at all important; 2 Slightly important; 3 Moderately important; 4 Very important; 5 Extremely important]

How important is it that managers know about the fisher(men) and fishing community (income, culture, etc.)? [1 Not at all important; 2 Slightly important; 3 Moderately important; 4 Very important; 5 Extremely important]

How important is it that managers build or maintain fisheries infrastructure (boat ramps, harbors, etc.)? [1 Not at all important; 2 Slightly important; 3 Moderately important; 4 Very important; 5 Extremely important]

Other (specify other). [1 Not at all important; 2 Slightly important; 3 Moderately important; 4 Very important; 5 Extremely important]

How much do you agree or disagree that rules are followed and enforced? [1 Strongly disagree; 2 Disagree; 3 Neutral; 4 Agree; 5 Strongly agree]

How much do you agree or disagree that your voice is included in decision-making? [1 Strongly disagree; 2 Disagree; 3 Neutral; 4 Agree; 5 Strongly agree]

How much do you agree or disagree that managers know how many fish there are? [1 Strongly disagree; 2 Disagree; 3 Neutral; 4 Agree; 5 Strongly agree]

How much do you agree or disagree that managers know how healthy the reef/other habitats are? [1 Strongly disagree; 2 Disagree; 3 Neutral; 4 Agree; 5 Strongly agree]

How much do you agree or disagree that managers know about the fisher(men) and fishing community (income, culture, etc.)? [1 Strongly disagree; 2 Disagree; 3 Neutral; 4 Agree; 5 Strongly agree]

How much do you agree or disagree that managers build or maintain fisheries infrastructure (boat ramps, harbors, etc.)? [1 Strongly disagree; 2 Disagree; 3 Neutral; 4 Agree; 5 Strongly agree]

Other (specify other). [1 Strongly disagree; 2 Disagree; 3 Neutral; 4 Agree; 5 Strongly agree]

Do you have any suggestions for how American Samoa’s fisheries should be managed or topics that you feel need further study?

Have you changed your fishing activities due to COVID-19?

For example, were any of your survey responses different than they would have been in a normal year?

What are the main reasons you made those changes?