NOAA Simplifies West Coast Fishing Survey Questions
Published Date: 12/10/2025
Notice
Summary
NOAA is updating its West Coast Fisheries Participation Survey to make it quicker and easier by removing a question about underserved groups and adding multiple-choice answers. This affects fishermen and others involved in West Coast fisheries, helping NOAA better understand who’s participating and improve future decisions. Comments on these changes are open until February 9, 2026, with no new costs involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Removal of underserved identity question
NOAA removed a survey question that asked about identity in underserved groups from the West Coast Fisheries Participation Survey. The change applies to those contacted for the survey (the agency estimates 908 respondents) and is intended to make the survey quicker and easier; responses remain voluntary and comments are open until February 9, 2026.
Open-ended questions changed to multiple-choice
Two previously open-ended questions in the West Coast Fisheries Participation Survey were changed to multiple-choice answers to reduce response time. NOAA estimates 908 respondents, with an estimated time per response of 15 minutes and total annual burden of 227 hours; the survey remains voluntary.
No direct cost to survey respondents
NOAA estimates the West Coast Fisheries Participation Survey will impose no monetary cost on the public: Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public is $0. The survey is voluntary and will be mailed (with an optional web response) to respondents.
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