Massachusetts Recreational Fishing Demand Survey

Stated preference choice experiment data were collected in 2012 from Massachuestts saltwater recreational fishermen. Saltwater anglers fishing in Massachusetts (MA) waters who obtained a 2012 saltwater recreational fishing permit during the first four months of 2012 were elgible for participation in the study. Potential survey respondents were drawn randomly each month beginning in February and ending in May of 2012. The study consisted of three separate sample groups. The first consisted of 700 anglers who received dichotomous choice contingent valuation mail questionnaires designed to elicit hypothetical WTA measures of the value of its licenses. A second sample group of 700 anglers received questionnaires developed to obtain hypothetical WTP valuations. For the third sample group we simulated an actual market for fishing licenses by offering 500 anglers cash in return for giving up their 2012 fishing license. In total, 1,900 questionnaires were mailed to anglers who obtained a license during the first four months of 2012 and 1,225 surveys were completed for an overall response rate of 64%.

To compare stated preference values for saltwater recreational fishing licenses with those obtained in an actual (simulated) marketplace.

Data access usually requires a formal written request

Contact owner for access

NEFSC Data Access Procedure:

1. Formal request in writing usually to the data owner/contact or Center Director;

2. Requester is contacted by data owner to review and verify the request content and details for data delivery options.

3. If data is confidential then owner will determine if the data may be released to the requester;

4. If data can be released, the data is downloaded and packaged for delivery electronically; or the requester may be directed to where the data is available online.

None, but contact owner for special instructions on using the data sets

NEFSC Data Access Constraint:

If data is stored on an internal NEFSC network, the requester may not have direct access to query the data unless they are also authorized for network access.

None, but contact owner for special instructions on using the data sets

None, but contact owner for special instructions on using the data sets

None, but contact owner for special instructions on using the data sets

Unix SAS data set (version 7) 1,617 KB

Raw survey data

Followed Dillman total design method shown to increase response rates and data accuracy

not applicable

Archival of source data preserving unaltered collected data, Scheduled backups, Remote storage backups, Password protection

A mail survey was sent out to recreational fishermen by a contract firm with recreational fishery data collection expertise. The firm handled the distribution, receipt, review, key-punching, and auditing of data.