The Northeast’s social science staff conducts economic, social, cultural, and policy research. This research focuses on the use and management of commercial and recreational fishery species, protected species, and marine ecosystems. Social science studies help to improve the benefits we all derive from the ocean and the well-being of communities that depend on these marine resources.
Here are some of our most in-demand products. Each reflects years of data collection and analysis:
Commercial Vessel Cost Data Visualization
Our social scientists conduct commercial vessel cost surveys to better understand trends and patterns in commercial fishing business costs in Northeast fisheries. A new data visualization tool displays data from surveys conducted in 2011, 2012, and 2015. It includes multiple expense categories and gear types. In 2023, we launched a new and improved version of the survey. These surveys are the only direct source of vessel cost data in our region.
Commercial Fishing Performance Measures
This interactive product displays trends in key indicators of economic and social performance for commercial fishing activity throughout the Northeast region by the fishery management plan. Indicators include measures of fishing revenue, effort, prices, fishing activity by community, community profiles, and community resilience. The fishery management plans covered are for species managed by the New England and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils.
Crew Survey Visualization Tool
We have developed and launched a useful website for the public to visualize and download portions of the Crew Survey data, including survey responses to questions regarding demographics, job satisfaction, and attitudes about fisheries management, among other characteristics of commercial crews over time. Please visit our site here and feel free to use the contact form to send us any questions or suggestions for improvement!
Recreational Decision Support Tool
Our cloud-based recreational Decision Support Tool helps people design and recommend fishing rules that work for them while protecting nature. We use cutting-edge surveys to understand how anglers behave, combine that with fish population data, and put it all in a simple web app. This tool helps managers see how new rules and changes in the fish population affect what people catch and how happy they are with their fishing trips. While only our partners can use the full model, anyone can see how it works by looking at the Cod and Haddock and Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass apps on FisheriesConnect. We are always working to make the app better. We also built a RecDST Data Dashboard to show the data behind these fisheries. Moving forward, we will keep improving our models and surveys to better manage our coastal resources and build capacity for future expansion of the tool. If you have questions or ideas, please email us at NEFSC.RecDST@noaa.gov.
Vessel Profit Snapshots
Using information collected in the 2022 Greater Atlantic Region Commercial Fishing Business Cost Survey, this site displays summaries of operating profit and total profit for Northeast fishing fleets. Results can be summarized by primary gear, primary fishery, and a combination of gear/fishery. Users will come away with a better understanding of the primary costs by fleet as well as how gross revenue translates into profit.
