NOAA to Collect Economic Information for Gulf of Alaska Fisheries

December 12, 2006

Release from:
NOAA

Better data are needed for regional economic analyses associated with Gulf Coast Alaska fisheries. Accurate fishery-level data on employment, labor income, and expenditures in the Gulf Coast Alaska fisheries and related industries are not currently available, but are necessary to estimate the effects of fisheries on the economy of Gulf Coast Alaska . In a one-time survey effort, data on these important regional economic variables will be collected and used to develop models that will provide more reliable estimates. This information will also improve NOAA Fisheries' ability to assess the effects of future regulations on fishery-dependent communities in Gulf Coast Alaska.

Mail surveys will be used to collect data on employment and labor income from a random sample of 530 vessel owners whose boats delivered fish to Gulf Coast Alaska processors. 130 in-person interviews and telephone calls with businesses involved in the fishery and related industries will be used to obtain vessel expenditure/cost data, regional economic data for non-fishery industries, and regional economic data for the fish processing sector. Comments on this proposed information collection may be sent to dHynek@doc.gov through February 6, 2007.

For more information, contact Chang.Seung@noaa.gov.