The actual interview begins after eligibility is established and
the Privacy Act statement is read. Copies of the 1997 Intercept
Questionnaires for the Pacific coast isincluded in
Attachment E. Included
in Attachment F are some completed Coding
Forms for illustration. Below are general instructions concerning
the interview.
1. Wording The questions to be put to the angler are written
out in full for a purpose. Methodological studies have shown that
even slight changes in wording, for example, "should"
versus "could", drastically influence item response.
The interviewer should always read each item on the Intercept
Questionnaire exactly as it is written.
2. Provide Definitions, Not Answers If the angler asks
for the interviewer's opinion about an item, the interviewer should
provide a definition for the item in question, rather than supply
the actual response. For example, if the angler is unsure about
whether he was fishing from a partyboat or a charter boat (Item
11), the interviewer should explain the difference and let the
angler decide.
3. Codes for Not Applicable Questions As a general rule,
items on the Intercept Questionnaire that are not applicable to
a particular angler (i.e., items falling out in skip patterns)
are coded with "8"'s, as indicated on the Intercept
Questionnaire.
4. Codes for Refused Questions Items on the Intercept Questionnaire
that are refused are coded with "9"'s. If the angler
refuses a key item (an item with an asterisk on the Intercept
Questionnaire and Coding Form), the interviewer should code the
item with "9"'s and terminate the interview. If the
angler refuses a nonkey item (an item without an asterisk
on the Intercept Questionnaire and Coding Form), the interviewer
should code the item with "9"'s and continue with the
next question.
5. Codes for Don't Know Items on the Intercept Questionnaire
that the angler does not know the answer to are coded with "9"'s
and a last digit of "8".
6. Right Justify and Add Leading Zeros If a data entry
does not require use of all boxes provided, the interviewer should
right justify the entry and add leading zeros. For example, if
a fish measures 262 mm, the entry, given four coding boxes, should
be "0262".
7. "Other (SPECIFY)" At Items 11, 13, 17, 32
and 33 the response codes are not exhaustive. At these items there
are codes designated "Other (SPECIFY)". If an angler
gives a response not covered by the precoded responses, the interviewer
should enter the "other" code and write out the angler's
exact response next to the coding boxes.
8. Notes/Footnotes For some items, footnotes will be required
under some conditions. Examples are: if weight and/or length measurements
are missing at Item 33; if a site code is needed at Item 9; if
a state and/or county code is needed at Item 21; or if a species
code is needed at Item 15, 32 or 33. In such cases the interviewer
should place an asterisk (*) by the item and provide a footnote
explaining the situation near the bottom of the Coding Form.
9. Best Use of Time There will be times during the day
when the interviewer will seemingly have little to do. This time
can be used to fill in the identifying information (Items 34 and
79) on forms that will be used later at the site. This time can
also be spent reviewing, editing and "cleaning up" completed
Coding Forms.
Several data items are critical to the data expansion routines
and are termed key items. If a response to any of the key items
is missing, then the interview is not valid. Key items have Bold
print in the following instructions and have asterisks next to
the Item number on the 1995 Intercept Questionnaires and Coding
Forms. Key items include mode and area of fishing; distance from
shore; state and county of residence; group catch questions; catch
disposition, number, length and weight of catch by species; and
party information.
These instructions apply to the 1995 Intercept Questionnaires
(Attachment E). Some change in data items should be expected from
year-to-year.
Items 110 are not questions to be asked of the angler. They are
identifying information.
Item 1 Record Type "1" is preprinted on the Coding
Form.
Item 2 Assignment No. "1" is preprinted on the
Coding Form. The instructions read: "Enter "1"
if first assignment for day; "2" if second assignment
for day." It is possible for one interviewer to be given
two assignments in the same day. If an interviewer does two assignments
in the same day, he/she should overwrite the precoded "1"
with a "2" on all Coding Forms submitted for the second
assignment.
Item 3 Interviewer Code Each interviewer will be given
a unique fourdigit identification number. This number must be
used on all submitted forms.
Item 4 Year/Month/Day The interviewer should record the
date of the intercept. Two digits each for the month and date
should be used.
Item 5 Interview Number Throughout an assignment the interviewer
should consecutively number the forms completed for the assignment.
The first form used should be coded "01", the second
"02", etc. All forms sent in should be numbered, regardless
of interview status. At the end of the assignment the last number
used should be the same as the number of forms submitted.
Item 6 Hour Using military time, the interviewer should
record the time the interview was completed. Military time runs
on a 24hour clock starting at 0001 hours (one minute past midnight)
and ending at 2400 hours (midnight). For example, 4:45 p.m. should
be coded "1645" hours.
Item 7 State The interviewer should enter the twodigit
FIPS numerical code for the State of intercept (Attachment G).
Item 8 County The interviewer should enter the threedigit
FIPS numerical code for the county of intercept (Attachment G.)
Item 9 Site The interviewer should enter the fourdigit
numerical code for the site where the interview takes place. This
will not necessarily be the assigned site. Site codes and names
are unique and are found in the Site Register. If the interview
takes place at a newly discovered site not listed on the Site
Register, the interviewer should write the name of the site next
to the coding boxes and leave the boxes blank, and would also
fill out a Site Description Form.
Item 10 Interview Status This item must be completed at
the end of the interview. It serves as an indicator of interview
"completeness". Interviews of status "1" or
"2" are "good" interviews in that all key
data have been obtained. Status "1" and "2"
interviews do count toward the interviewing goal of 20 interviews.
Interviews of status "3", "4" and "5"
do not count toward the interviewing goal of 20 interviews.
"Questionnaire complete = 1" This code should
be used if the angler responds to all items asked in the interview.
In other words, the angler does not refuse to answer any question.
"Refused nonkey items = 2" This code should be
used if the angler refuses one or more nonkey items but answers
all key items. If a angler refuses a nonkey item, the interviewer
should code "9"'s in the coding boxes at that item and
continue with the next question.
"Initial refusal = 3" This code should be used
if an eligible angler refuses to be interviewed. A angler refusing
to be interviewed will usually claim that he/she does not have
time to participate. The interviewer should always attempt to
determine eligibility. If the angler is not eligible (i.e., he/she
has not completed his/her fishing in the mode for the day), a
form should not be started for the angler. If the angler is eligible
or if eligibility is undetermined, a form should be started for
the angler. The interviewer should complete the form through Item
10 and submit it with the other forms for the assignment. Status
"3" forms do not count toward the goal of 20 "good"
interviews.
"Language barrier, etc. = 4" This code should
be used if the angler approached for an interview cannot respond
to the interview and no other person with the angler is willing
or able to translate. Such anglers would include nonEnglish speaking
anglers and deaf anglers. Conducting the interview in a language
other than English is allowed as is using an interpreter for the
interview. If these are not alternatives, a form should be completed
through Item 10 and submitted with the other forms for the assignment.
As with initial refusals, the interviewer should assume that "language
barrier" anglers are eligible, unless information to the
contrary is obtained. Status "4" forms do not count
toward the goal of 20 "good" interviews.
"Refused key item = 5" This code should be used
if the angler refuses to answer a key item. If a key item is refused,
the interviewer should code the item with "9"'s and
terminate the interview. Status "5" forms do not count
toward the goal of 20 "good" interviews.
Beginning with Item 11 are questions to be asked of the anglers.
Boxed items on the Intercept Questionnaire are not asked, but
are either instructions to the interviewer or items to be recorded
by the interviewer. Key questions are indicated by bold item numbers.
Item 11 Fishing From Which Mode? Interviewers must
use discretion in the wording of this question for shore (SH)
anglers. Obviously, if a angler is leaving a pier, from which
no boat fishing was possible, it would be inappropriate to ask
whether he/she was fishing from a charter boat. A pier angler
should be asked: "Would you say you were fishing from a pier,
a jetty, or what?" As much as possible, the interviewer should
include in the stem of the question responses from at least two
coding categories.
All partyboat/charter boat (PC) and private/rental boat (PR) anglers
should be offered all four boat alternatives: "Would you
say you were fishing from a partyboat, a charter boat, a private
boat or a rental boat?" In all instances the interviewer
should code the angler's actual response, whether it is technically
right or wrong. If the angler has difficulty with the definition
of a particular mode, the interviewer should provide definitions
and let the angler decide.
On occasion, the angler will be unable to give a short answer
to Item 11. That is, there might be extenuating circumstances
that require a more detailed response. The following examples
are illustrative of how these "detailed" responses should
be handled:
IF THE ANGLER SAYS: CODE:
"Bulkhead" "2" Jetty, Breakwater, Breachway
"This used to be a bridge "1"Pier
but it is now used as a
fishing pier."
"I hired and fished from "7"Charter boat
a guide boat."
"I boated to a pier/dock/ "1", "2", "3"
or "4"
jetty/breakwater/breachway/ Manmade structure
bridge/causeway, got out of
the boat and fished from the
pier/dock/jetty.../causeway."
"I boated to an oil/gas "4"Other manmade
platform, got out of the structure and write
boat and fished from the "oil/gas platform"
oil/gas platform."
"I boated to a beach/bank, "5"Beach or bank
got out of the boat and
fished from the beach/bank."
"I boated to a reef, got "6", "7" or
"8" Code
out of the boat and fished to type of boat used
while standing on the reef."
"I boated to a barge, got "6"Partyboat
out of the boat and fished
from the barge."
Item 12 Type of Water Fished? Anglers are asked
what type of "water body" they did most of their fishing
in. The technically correct response should be coded at Item 13,
instead of an obviously incorrect response from the respondent.
For shore (SH) angler, it may not be necessary to ask the question.
This would be true if the interviewer has observed the fishing
and can code the correct water body. Similarly, if an interviewer
has ridden on a partyboat, he/she should code the correct response
without asking the question. All other boat anglers will have
to be asked the question, since boats can travel great distances.
If the angler responds with an answer other than "ocean/gulf",
the interviewer will need to probe to determine the correct response.
The followup probe is: "What (sound/river/bay/inlet) was
that?" The response list for Item 12 contains estuaries that
have been recognized by NMFS and EPA (Environmental Protection
Agency) as "National Estuaries". If the named sound,
river, bay or inlet is part of one of the estuaries on the list,
the interviewer should code to the appropriate estuary. Maps showing
the boundaries of each estuary are provided in the Attachment
H. NMFS expects to add other estuaries in the future. If the named
sound, river, bay or inlet is not part of a listed estuary, the
interviewer should code "2" for sound, "3"
for river, or "4" for bay. "Inlet" should
be coded "5", with the word "inlet" written
out in the white space adjacent to Item 12 on the Coding Form.
"bayou" should be coded "5" with the word
"bayou" written in the white space adjacent to Item
12.
If the angler fished in more than one "water body",
he/she should be asked in which "water body" he/she
spent the majority of time fishing.
"Open bays" are included with "ocean/gulf"
in the "Open water" category (Code "1"). Open
bays are not true bays but stretches of ocean that are called
"Suchnsuch" bay by local residents. An example would
be "Cape Cod Bay".
If a "1" is coded at Item 12, the interviewer should
continue with Item 13. If anything other than a "1"
is coded at Item 12, the interviewer should code Item 13 with
an "8" and continue with Item 14.
Item 13 Three or Ten Mile Limit? This item is pertinent
only to anglers fishing in "open water" (Code "1"
at Item 12). If Item 13 is not pertinent, it should be coded with
an "8".
Since anglers fishing in the shore (SH) mode must have fished
within three miles of shore, there is no question to ask shore
anglers. The interviewer should automatically code Item 13 with
a "1" (three miles or less) and continue with Item 14.
Anglers fishing in the boat modes (PC and PR), however, must be
asked the "three or ten mile" question. The interviewer
should enter at Item 13 the appropriate response code and continue
with Item 14. This question is used to determine the effort and
catch in State versus Federal jurisdictions. State jurisdiction
occurs within the State territorial sea while Federal jurisdiction
occurs in open waters beyond the territorial sea. Most States'
territorial seas extend three miles from shore. The exceptions
are West Florida and Texas where the territorial sea extends ten
miles from shore.
States other than West Florida: If a boat angler (PC or
PR) volunteers that he/she was more than three miles from the
continental coastline, but within three miles of a U.S. island
coastline, the interviewer should code "1" (three miles
or less).
West Florida only: If the boat angler volunteers that he/she
was more than 10 miles from the continental coastline, but within
10 miles of a U. S. island coastline, the interviewer should code
"3" (ten miles or less). Interviews in West Florida
should never have a "1" or "2" at Item 12.
Item 14 Target Species? The interviewer should ask all
anglers to name the kinds of fish they were fishing for. The interviewer
should enter the name(s) of the fish on the line(s) provided above
the coding boxes and look up the code(s) after the interview is
completed.
If the angler says "no", "anything", or "nothing
in particular", etc., the interviewer should write "no",
"anything", or "nothing in particular" on
the first line provided and leave the coding boxes blank.
If the angler mentions only one species, he/she should not be
pressed for two. The species mentioned would be coded in the first
set of boxes and the second set would be left blank. If the angler
names two or more species, the interviewer should code only the
first two mentioned.
The interviewer should note that identification of a particular
species of fish is desired. If the angler names a family
of fish, the interviewer should probe to determine whether he/she
preferred a particular species in that family. For example, "Any
particular kind of drum?" If the angler has no preference
within the family of fish and several species are possible within
that family, the interviewer should enter the family code. If,
however, the interviewer knows that the angler could only be going
after one species within that family, he/she should enter that
species code. For this item, a knowledge of how local names translate
to exact species is very important. If the angler uses a local
name, the interviewer should also enter the accepted common name
from the species list (Attachment I) for the species or family
so that field supervisors can check the species code entered.
Interviewers should only record reasonable responses to this item.
If a angler responds that he/she was fishing for a species not
found in his/her area, this response should not be coded. For
example, it is not reasonable that anyone would fish for oceanic
pelagic species like blue marlin from an inland pier.
Item 15 Gear? This question is asked of all anglers. If
the angler has not primarily used "hook and line", the
interviewer must ask the followup question concerning "gear
type". If the angler has used more than one type of gear,
he/she should be asked which he/she spent more time using. The
angler's response would determine which code would be entered.
Definitions for fishing gears are:
Hook and Line - Traditional rod and reel or hand lines.
Trolling, surf fishing, bottom fishing, chum fishing and fishing
with floats are all examples of uses of this gear.
Dip Net - A small hand net consisting of a handle attached
to a metal ring with mesh attached, often used to land large fish
but also used to catch schools of smaller fish. Examples of the
use of this gear are to catch baitfish in tide pools or to catch
herring during spawning runs upstream.
Cast Net - A large net, weighted around the edges, which
is cast out and falls over the fish, thereby entrapping them.
This gear is typically used to catch baitfish or shrimp.
Gill Net - A flat net suspended vertically in the water
with meshes that allow the fish's head to enter the net but which
catches on the fish's gills as it attempts to withdraw. This is
not a legal recreational gear in many states.
Seine - A large net with weights on one end and floats
on the other used to enclose fish after dragging along the bottom
near shore by hand. This gear is typically used to catch baitfish
or shrimp.
Trawl - A large cone-shaped net which is dragged along
the bottom from a boat. This is not a legal recreational gear
in many states.
Trap - Usually a metal screen box, extended by a rope,
which has bait inside and a small hole which the fish can swim
into but not return. Examples are fish pots and crab traps.
Spear - A sharp, barbed pole that is projected or thrown
into the fish. Examples are flounder gigs and SCUBA diving spears.
Hand - Catching fish by hand without the aid of any implements.
Examples are picking up fish trapped in tide pools or chased up
onto the beach by predators.
Item 16 Time Fishing? All anglers are asked how many hours
they spent fishing with gear in the water in the mode of intercept
on the day of intercept. If the angler fished at more than one
site in the mode group of intercept, he/she should be reminded
to include all hours spent fishing in the mode at all sites. If
the angler fished at a site in a different mode group, he/she
should not include time spent fishing in the nonintercept mode.
Since a trip is defined as fishing in one mode in one waking day,
it is waking day hours that should be entered. This should never
exceed 24.0.
Interviewers should note that a box with a precoded decimal has
been provided and that the question requires "to the nearest
half hour". Only "0" or "5" should appear
in the box to the right of the decimal.
Item 17 Additional Hours? This question is used for beach/bank
shore anglers who had not yet completed their fishing for the
day. Incomplete trips are allowed only for the beach\bank catagory
within the shore mode. No more than 50% of the beach/bank interviews
obtained during any assignment may be incomplete trip interviews.
A beach/bank angler must have completed at least 1/3 of his/her
trip to be eligible to an incomplete trip interview.
Item 18 Days in Past 12 Months? All anglers are asked how
many days they have been saltwater sport finfishing in the State
of intercept or from a boat launched in the state of intercept,
exclusive of the day of intercept, in the past 12 months.
The wording of this item is very important. The angler should
think back to the same date in the previous year. He/she should
not include days spent freshwater fishing, commercially
fishing, shellfishing, or days spent fishing in other States.
The interviewer may have to work with a angler to come up with
a specific number. Anglers are likely to say something like "every
week" or "once a month". In these instances the
interviewer should translate the response to a number and verify
that number with the angler .
Since the question requires days and the day of intercept should
not be included, the maximum acceptable entry would be "364",
and the minimum acceptable entry would be "000". Codes
"998" and "999" are provided for "don't
know" and "refused", respectively.
Item 19 Days in Past 2 Months? All anglers are asked the
question at Item 19. While not written again here, the limitations
that apply to Item 18 also apply to
Item 19.
Since the question requires days and the day of intercept should
not be included, the maximum acceptable entry would be something
on the order of "59" or "60" and the minimum
acceptable entry would be "00". Codes "98"
and "99" are provided for "don't know" and
"refused", respectively. Also, the entry at Item 21
should never exceed the entry at Item 20.
Item 20 Residence? All anglers are asked their State
and county of residence. If the angler does not know his/her county
of residence, the interviewer should enter the city name and circle
"city" on the Coding Form. In that instance, the coding
boxes for county would be left blank. They would be completed
later based on city name by field supervisors.
If the angler should ask, it is their legal residence that they
should be reporting. Since this is not included in the question
stem, interviewers should only provide this information if the
respondent asks for clarification.
After interview completion, interviewers should code the response
with the correct FIPS codes for State and county (Attachment G).
If a angler is a resident of some country other than the United
States, the appropriate country code (Attachment G) must be coded
in the State position and "998" must be coded in the
county position. If the interviewer is unsure of the correct code,
he/she should write out the necessary information and leave the
coding boxes blank for completion by field supervisors.
Item 21 ZIP Code? All anglers are asked the ZIP Code of
their residence. The ZIP Code given should be the ZIP Code of
the residence named by State and county in Item 20. As before,
if the angler should ask, it is their legal residence that is
desired. If an angler is a resident of some country other than
the United States, "99997" should be recorded.
Item 22 Type of Residence? All anglers are asked what type
of residence they live in. Single family homes and apartments
are considered "private residences". Dorms, barracks,
nursing homes, and rooming houses are considered "institutional
housing units".
If the angler lives in a private residence, the interviewer should
code Item 22 with a "1" and continue with Item 23.
If the angler lives in institutional housing, the interviewer
should code Item 22 with a "2", code Item 23 with an
"8", and continue with Item 24.
Item 23 Has Phone? This question is pertinent only to anglers
living in private residences (Code "1" at Item 22).
If Item 23 is not pertinent, it should be coded with an "8".
The question is a "yes"/"no" question concerning
home telephone ownership. The interviewer should code the angler's
response and continue with Item 24.
Item 24 Age? All anglers are asked how old they were on
their last birthday. A code "98" is provided for "don't
know", and a code "99" is provided for "refused".
Persons 97 years of age and older should be coded "97".
Since only persons five years of age or older are eligible, the
lowest entry at Item 24 should be "05."
Item 25 Gender?: This is not a question to be asked. Through
observation the interviewer should determine whether the angler
is a male (Code "1") or a female (Code "2").
Item 26 Name and Phone Provided? All anglers are asked
to give a full name and a telephone number for survey verification.
Approximately ten percent of all anglers interviewed by each interviewer
will be contacted for survey verification purposes. Names and
phone numbers should be written on the line provided at Item 26.
If the angler is a very young child, accompanied by an adult,
the interviewer should also get the name of the adult.
It is not necessary to obtain the angler's home telephone number.
Any number at which he/she can be reached is acceptable. However,
if a work number is obtained, the interviewer should note that
it is a work number so that validation attempts will be made during
working hours. The interviewer should make sure that an area code
is obtained.
To be entered in the box at Item 26 is a summary code indicating
the type of information obtained. If the angler gives his/her
name and phone number, the interviewer should enter a "1";
if the angler gives only name, only phone number, or neither,
the interviewer should enter a "9."
Item 27 Were Fish Caught To Look At? All anglers
are asked whether they caught any fish in the mode of intercept
that the interviewer might look at.
If the angler caught some fish that are available for inspection,
but they have already been entered on another angler's form because
they could not be separated, the interviewer should code Item
27 with a "3", code Items 30-32 with "8"'s,
and continue with Item 33. This angler should have no data entered
at available catch (Item 32), but would have an entry at the "Type
4" record (Item 33).
If the angler did not catch any fish available for inspection,
the interviewer should code Item 27 with a "2", Items
28-30 with "8"'s, and continue with Item 31. This angler
should have no data entered at either available catch (Item 32)
or "Type 4" record (Item 33).
If the angler caught some fish that are available for inspection,
the interviewer should code Item 27 with a "1" and continue
with Item 28. This angler should have some data entered at available
catch (Item 32).
The interviewer should note that the stem of Item 27 includes
the words "to look at". Fish that have been filleted
are not considered available "to look at". If it turns
out that the angler's fish have all been filleted, the interviewer
may have to go back and change the angler's response to Item 27.
Filleted fish are entered at unavailable catch (Item 31), not
at available catch (Item 32).
Item 28 Catch Mixed? This question is asked only
of those anglers who caught fish available for inspection and
whose fish have not been entered on another angler's form (Code
"1" at Item 27). If Item 28 is not asked, it should
be coded with an "8".
If the angler caught all of the available fish himself/herself,
the interviewer should code Item 28 with a "1", code
Item 29 with an "8", code Item 30 with an "88",
and continue with Item 31.
If other anglers have contributed to the available catch, the
interviewer should code Item 28 with a "2" and continue
with Item 29.
Item 29 Separate Catch? This question is asked only
of those anglers who report that several anglers have contributed
to their available catch (Code "2" at
Item 28). If Item 29 is not asked, it should be coded with an
"8".
If the angler can separate out his/her own available catch, the
interviewer should code Item 29 with a "1", code Item
30 with an "88" and continue with Item 31. Only the
angler's own available catch should be entered at available catch
(Item 32).
If the angler cannot separate out his/her own available catch,
the interviewer should code Item 29 with a "2" and continue
with Item 30. All of the available catch would then be entered
on this angler's form at available catch (Item 32).
Item 30 Number Who Caught Fish? This question is
asked only of those anglers who cannot separate their available
fish from the available fish caught by others in their fishing
party (Code "2" at Item 29). If Item 30 is not asked,
it should be coded with an "88."
The angler is asked to indicate the number of anglers who contributed
to the total available catch. He/she should not include anyone
who did not catch any of the available fish. That person should
be interviewed separately if he/she spent any time fishing. If
he/she can not be interviewed separately, he/she should be counted
as one of the anglers contributing to the total available catch.
The interviewer should enter the number of anglers contributing
to the catch. As stated above, all of the available catch would
then be entered on this angler's form at Item 32. The other anglers
would have Type 4 records that refer to this angler's form.
The table on the following page shows all five possible coding
sequences for the series of questions 27-30.
The following are the five possible ways to code Items 2730:
1. This angler has no Item Code
available catch. He/She 27 2
has not caught any fish 28 8
that the interviewer can 29 8
look at. 30 88
"No Available Catch"
-----------------------------------------------------------------
2. This angler has available Item Code
catch. The angler has 27 1
caught fish that the inter 28 1
viewer can look at, and he/she 29 8
has caught them all him/herself. 30 88
"Available CatchAll Caught by Angler "
-----------------------------------------------------------------
3. This angler has available Item Code
catch. He/She is part of a 27 1
group. He/She can not separate 28 2
his/her share of the catch. All 29 2
of the group's Available Catch is 30 02
listed on this angler's form. "Group Catch--Cannot Separate1st
Person"
-----------------------------------------------------------------
4. This angler's available Item Code
catch is part of a group 27 3
catch. His/Her Available 28 8
Catch has been reported on 29 8
someone else's form. This 30 88
angler would have a "Group Catch--Cannot
"Type 4" record. Separate2nd, 3rd, etc., Person"
-----------------------------------------------------------------
5. This angler has available Item Code
catch. He/She is part of a 27 1
group. Each angler, though, 28 2
can separate his/her share of 29 1
the catch from that of the group. 30 88
"Group CatchCan Separate"
Item 31 Unavailable Catch (Type 2 Records)? All
anglers are asked to report on fish caught in the mode that are
not available for inspection. While available catch can be grouped
on one angler's form, each angler must report on his/her own
unavailable catch in the mode of intercept. If the angler
was at a different site in the same mode, unavailable fish from
the other site should be included.
Unavailable fish should be entered at Item 31 on the Coding Form.
A separate line must be filled in for each unique species-disposition
combination. Each line of information is called a "Type 2"
record because of the "2" precoded on the Coding Form.
Each "Type 2" record should contain a species name,
a 10digit species code (Attachment I), a disposition code, and
the number of fish of that species and disposition.
Number of fish is a key item. Failure to obtain and enter
disposition may also result in disqualifying the interview.
The question to ask concerning disposition is "What did you
do or do you plan to do with the ________?" The interviewer
may have to probe until the ultimate disposition of the fish is
determined. The disposition codes can be found below Item 32 on
the Intercept Questionnaire. They include: Thrown back alive -
legal (Code "1"); thrown back alive - not legal (Code
"2"); eaten - plan to eat (Code "3"); used
for bait - plan to use for bat (Code "4"); sold - plan
to sell (Code "5"); thrown back dead - plan to throw
away (Code "6"); and plan to use for some other purpose
(SPECIFY) (Code "7"). Legal and not legal in codes "1"
and "2" refers to whether fish were released voluntarily,
even though it would have been legal to retain them, or released
because of bag limits, size limits, or any other regulation which
would have made it illegal to retain the fish. Interviewers should
note that they must write out the angler 's actual response if
they use "7" since the response contains the word "SPECIFY".
Dispositions "8" (don't know/ didn't ask) and "9"
(refused) cannot be used for unavailable fish. There is no code
for "given away". If the fish have been given away,
the interviewer should ask what the recipient intends to do with
the fish and code accordingly.
Usually, filleted fish should be considered "unavailable
catch" and entered at Item 31. NMFS does not believe that
an interviewer can look at a slab of meat and identify the fish
to the species level; however, if enough of the carcass is left
to allow for accurate species identification and an accurate count,
the fish can be entered as "available catch" at Item
32. Anglers may think that fillets are available catch and not
report them in response to the question at Item 31. If an interviewer
should look at a angler's catch and discover that all of the fish
have been filleted, it may be necessary to change the angler's
responses to Items 27 30. The fillets would be entered as "Type
2" records, and there would be no "Type 3" records.
If a group of anglers report a group catch consisting totally
of fillets, the interviewer should strive to determine how many
were caught by each angler. Fillets should be entered as "Type
2" records (unavailable catch), and each angler's own unavailable
catch should be entered on his/her own form. If the group of anglers
cannot separate their filleted catch, the interviewer should divide
the total number of fillets by the total number of anglers contributing
to the catch and give each angler his/her appropriate number of
fillets. Interviewers should not assume that all fillets will
be eaten. Even with fillets it is important to ask the question
concerning disposition.
If one species is disposed of in two or more manners, it will
be necessary to complete two or more "Type 2" records
for the species. For example, if the angler caught a total of
eight bluefish, five of which he/she threw back alive, and three
of which he/she plans to eat, the interviewer should complete
two "Type 2" records.
Species codes are required. Since unavailable catch cannot be
inspected by the interviewer, it is recognized that the species
and numbers reported may not be exact. Each interviewer should
strive, however, to obtain species information. It is appropriate
to show pictures in the field guide. If necessary, one of the
"unidentified fish" codes may be used.
Three coding boxes are provided for "No. of Fish" in
the "Type 2" record. As stated above, this would be
the number of fish of the listed species-disposition combination
caught by this angler. Since Item 31 is a key item, there are
no "don't know" or "refused" codes reserved
for "No. of fish". A number must be entered! (A 998
will be read as nine hundred ninety-eight!) If a angler has more
than 999 unavailable fish of one species-disposition combination,
the interviewer should write out the actual number in the available
white space and put one of the following codes in the coding boxes:
A00 = 1,000 F00 = 1,500 L00 = 2,000
B00 = 1,100 G00 = 1,600 M00 = 2,100
C00 = 1,200 H00 = 1,700 N00 = 2,200
D00 = 1,300 J00 = 1,800 P00 = 2,300
E00 = 1,400 K00 = 1,900 R00 = 2,400
One thousand two hundred fifty (1,250) would be entered as C50;
1,472 would be entered as E72, etc.
Eight "Type 2" records have been provided on the Coding
Form. If more than eight are needed, the interviewer should use
the second page of a clean Coding Form and staple or clip that
form to the original form.
Item 32 Available Catch (Type 3 Records)? The angler's
available catch from the mode of intercept should be entered at
Item 31 on the Coding Form. Each line of information recorded
at Item 31 is called a "Type 3" record because of the
"3" precoded on the Coding Form. Each "Type 3"
record should have a species name, a 10digit species code (Attachment
I), the total number of that species available, the length of
one fish of the species and the weight of that fish, and the disposition
of the majority of that species.
When more than one fish of a species are available, the interviewer
need not repeat the species code, the total number of fish or
the disposition code on all lines. If the species code, total
number and disposition code on one record are exactly the same
as that in the record above, the interviewer should draw arrows
down, indicating which boxes are exactly as the ones above. This
only holds true, however, for the species code, total number and
disposition. If the weights and lengths are the same, they must
be written out.
If fifteen or fewer fish of one species are available, all fish
of the species are to be weighed and measured. If more than fifteen
fish of one species are available, the interviewer should randomly
select fifteen fish to be weighed and measured (see Section 2.3.4.4
on subsampling).
Item 32 is a key item and requires a specified minimum amount
of information. The minimum acceptable data needed to satisfy
this item is a count by species. If the angler is in a hurry,
the interviewer should strive to sort the fish by species and
obtain a count of each species. This will render the interview
acceptable. (It will not become an Interview Status "5"
at
Item 10.)
Three coding boxes have been provided for "Total No."
in Item 32. As stated in the discussion of Item 31, no codes have
been reserved for "don't know" and "refused".
A 999 will be read as nine hundred ninetynine. Numbers above three
digits, that is, above 999, are indicated through use of an alphabetic
character in the first position. The codes are listed in Item
31, above. If one of these codes is used, the interviewer must
write out the actual number in the available white space.
After a count by species, next in order of priority is weight.
If the angler is in somewhat of a hurry, the interviewer should
strive to get weight measurements and the disposition. Last in
order of priority, but not to be ignored, is length.
If length, weight or disposition is missing, the interviewer
should complete the records as required, but fill in the boxes
for the missing data with "9"s. Missing data
should be footnoted with an explanation. Common reasons for missing
data are: angler refused to let weigh; angler refused to let measure;
weight missing because fish was gutted; weight missing because
weight exceeded capacity of scale.
If length and weight information are missing on some
fish of a species, i.e., the angler refused to have the appropriate
number weighed and measured, the interviewer should fill in the
available weights and lengths using separate "Type 3"
records and then complete one "Type 3" record for the
species with "9"'s filled in for the weight and length.
The interviewer should then use a footnote to explain why the
appropriate number of fish were not weighed and measured.
If length and weight information are missing on all
fish of a species, the interviewer should fill out only one "Type
3" record for the species. That record would have "9"'s
in the length and weight boxes and either a disposition code or
a "9" in the disposition box. Again, a reason for the
missing data should be given in a footnote.
The disposition codes for the "Type 3" record are the
same as those used in the "Type 2" record. The question
to be asked is: "What do you plan to do with the majority
of the _________?" Since only one disposition can be used
for each species in the "Type 3" record, the question
is "majority" or highest number of fish. For example,
if an angler has caught three (3) fish of the same species and
he/she intends to sell the largest one (1) and eat the two (2)
smaller ones, then the interviewer should code disposition as
"3" (Eaten/Plan to eat) since more fish will be eaten
than sold. Weight should be used to determine disposition when
the fish split evenly by number into two or more dispositions.
For example, if there are exactly two (2) fish of one species,
one (1) of which will be sold and one (1) of which will be eaten,
the interviewer should code to the disposition of the heavier
fish.
Twenty "Type 3" records can be entered on each Coding
Form. If more than twenty are needed, the interviewer should use
the second page of a clean Coding Form and staple or clip that
form to the original form. In some instances, several "second
pages" may be needed.
The interviewer should never skip a "Type 3" record
line on a Coding Form. The next fish should be entered on the
next line.
Item 33 Type 4 Record? This item is applicable only
to those anglers whose available fish have been recorded on another
angler's form at Item 32. This would only happen when the anglers
are unable to separate their individual available catch. The first
angler in the group would have all the available catch coded on
his/her form and the other anglers in the group would have a "Type
4" record. If Item 33 is not applicable, it should be left
blank.
The coding boxes for Item 33 are placed horizontally across the
bottom of the first page of the Coding Form. At Item 33 the interviewer
should enter his/her interviewer code; the year, month and date
of the interview; and the interview number of the form on which
the angler's fish have been coded. It is called a "Type 4"
record because of the "4" precoded on the Coding Form.
An angler with a "Type 4" record should have no "Type
3" records, and an angler with one or more "Type 3"
records should have no "Type 4" record.
Item 34 Boat Fishing Group Participation? - This
question is asked to determine whether the angler fished on a
boat with other anglers, and if so, how many (including the interviewed
angler) fished on that boat trip. If he/she did not fish on a
boat, then code "88" at Item 34, "8" at Item
35 and proceed to Item 36. If the angler fished on a boat but
was fishing alone, code "1" at Item 34, "8"
at Item 35, and proceed to Item 36.
Item 35 First Person from Boat? - If the angler
indicated in Item 36 that they fished together with other anglers
on the same boat, then ask "Are you the first person on the
boat I have interviewed?" If they respond "yes",
code "1"; if they are not the first interviewed, code
"2".
Note: Items 34 & 35 are "key items". They
are not the same as items 27-30 which pertain to group catches.
Remember that question 30 should only indicate members of the
fishing party who contributed to the catch. An interviewer may
interview a member of a boat fishing party who did not catch a
fish and would not be included in Items 27-30. Items 34 &
35 and the associated "Type 6" record will provide better
information to determine if being in a group affects catch rates.
Items 36 to 39 are not questions to be asked of the angler. Rather,
they are items to be filled in by the interviewer after the interview
is completed.
Item 36 Number of Type 2 Records? The interviewer should
enter the number of "Type 2" records that are filled
out on the angler's form. "Type 2" records are lines
of information about fish unavailable for inspection in Item 31.
Item 36 serves as a computer prompt to "tell the computer"
how many lines of information to read at Item 31.
Item 37 Number of Type 3 Records? The interviewer should
enter the number of "Type 3" records that are filled
out on the angler's form. "Type 3" records are lines
of information about fish available for inspection in Item 32.
Item 37 serves as a computer prompt to "tell the computer"
how many lines of information to read at Item 32.
Item 38 Type 4 Record? If the angler has a "Type 4"
record (i.e., his/her available catch has been recorded on another
angler's form), the interviewer should enter a "1" at
Item 38. This will "tell the computer" to look for an
entry at Item 33. If the angler does not have a "Type 4"
record, the interviewer should enter a "0".
Item 39 Type 6 Record? - This record is used to associate
a given angler with the first interviewed angler who fished from
the same boat on the same day (partyboat, charter boat, private
boat or rental boat). The "Type 6" record should only
be filled out if the angler is not the first person interviewed
from the boat (Refer to items 34 & 35 above). The interviewer
should never fill out a Type 6 record for a shore mode angler.
While the Type 4 records group anglers who caught fish and mixed
their catch together, the Type 6 record groups anglers who fished
together from the same boat. Groups linked by Type 4 records only
include anglers who caught fish. However, groups linked by Type
6 records may include anglers that did not catch fish.
Interviewers must strive to identify all available fish to the
lowest taxonomic level possible, preferably the species level.
In the interest of professionalism, the interviewer should never
ask the angler to identify his/her own catch. For Type 3 records,
the interviewer must identify the fish without exception.
Attachment I contains a species list sorted alphabetically by
common name. Accepted common names are not necessarily those used
by local anglers, and interviewers should know how to translate
local names to accepted common names. Attachment J contains a
listing of many of the local names (not necessarily accepted common
names) for fishes that have been observed during MRFSS intercept
data collection on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
Each species of fish listed in Attachment I has been given a unique
10digit identification code. These codes are usually structured
as follows:
First two digits = Class
Next two digits = Order
Next two digits = Family
Next two digits = Genus
Last two digits = Species
All fish within the same family would usually have the first six
digits in common, and all fish within the same family and genus
would usually have the first eight digits in common.
If an interviewer cannot identify a fish to the species level,
he/she should identify the fish as close to the species level
as possible. That is, he/she should identify the fish to the genus
level or, if not the genus level, the family level. The known
digits of the code should then be entered and the remainder of
the 10 digits filled in with "0"'s. For example, a fish
known to be in the left-eye flounder family that cannot be identified
to the genus or species level should be coded "8857030000".
On "Type 3" records, in particular, a species level
identification is required. Fish directly observed which cannot
be identified to the species level should be recorded in "Type
2" records rather than in "Type 3" records.
Peterson's Field Guide to Atlantic Coast Fishes of North America,
Peterson's Field Guide to Pacific Coast Fishes and Fishes
of the Gulf of Mexico by Hoese and Moore are the recommended
field guides for use by interviewers in identifying fishes. However,
other local references and taxonomic keys which are approved by
the NMFS and are available to interviewers and field supervisors
can also be used. Attachment K contains additional descriptive
information on species with common identification concerns on
the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
The species code lists in Attachment I are not exhaustive. Interviewers
may occasionally identify a species that does not appear on the
list, particularly species that occur primarily in freshwater.
When this situation occurs, the interviewer should write out the
scientific and accepted common name of the species and leave the
coding boxes blank. A field supervisor will then find the species
code. Attachment I also contains codes to be used when the family
identity of a fish is unknown. While these cannot be used for
available fish, they may be used for fish unavailable for inspection
(Item 31). These codes are the following:
Unidentified 1000000000
Unidentified Bottomfish 1000000001
Unidentified Shark 1000000002
Unidentified Surface Fish 1000000003
Fish lengths must be taken with standard measuring boards (usually
about 76 centimeters long (30 inches)) and recorded to the nearest
millimeter. Interviewers must also carry a tape measure for fish
longer than one meter. Since four coding boxes are provided for
the length measurement, a fish that measures 231 millimeters should
be coded as "0231." Interviewers must be careful not
to introduce a digit bias into their measurements by rounding
lengths to the nearest centimeter or half-centimeter. All fish
species in an angler's catch will be measured and weighed unless
refused by the angler. If the angler has caught more than fifteen
fish of a particular species, then at least fifteen must be selected
at random for measuring and weighing. Subsampling procedures are
described in Section 2.3.4.4. The correct procedures for measuring
the various types of fish on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts are
as follows:
Sharks and sturgeons are measured from the tip of the snout
to the center of the fork of the tail.
Skates and rays are measured from the tip of the snout
to the base of the tail.
Billfishes and swordfish are measured from the tip of the
bill to the center of the fork of the tail.
All other species are measured from the most anterior tip
of the longest jaw (mouth closed) or end of snout, whichever is
terminal, to the posterior tip of the tail at its center line.
This procedure is the same whether the tail forks in (i.e., mackerels)
or protrudes out (i.e., flounders). The resulting length is therefore
a fork length.
Each interviewer must be provided with two scales each: a large
scale (ex: 12 kg) and a small scale (ex: 2 kg). The scale capacity
should be selected based on the average sizes and range of sizes
of fish in a region. The larger scale shall be used only for fish
weighing more than the weight capacity of the smaller scale. Fish
weights are to be recorded to the nearest tenth (0.1) of a kilogram
when the larger scale is used and to the nearest five hundredth
(0.05) of a kilogram when the smaller scale is used. Six boxes
are provided for the coding of weight: three to the left of the
decimal, one containing a decimal, and two to the right of the
decimal. For example, a fish weighing 2.4 kilograms on the larger
scale should be coded as "002.40", and a fish weighing
0.16 kilograms on the smaller, more precise scale should be coded
as "000.15".
Occasionally an interviewer may come across a fish whose weight
does not register on the smaller scale at even five one-hundredths
of a kilogram. If several fish of the species have been caught,
the interviewer should place up to fifteen fish of the species
in a plastic bag, taking care that no water accumulates inside.
The interviewer would then weigh the entire bag and distribute
the weight among the fish in increments of 0.05 kg and 0.00 kg.
For example, if fifteen fish weigh a total of 0.65 kg, thirteeen
fish would be recorded as weighing 0.05 kg, and two fish would
be recorded as weighing 0.00 kg. The fish of longer length should
each be assigned a weight of 0.05 kg, while the three shortest
fish should each be assigned a weight of
0.00 kg. This procedure will result in the correct average weight
of the fifteen fish.
On the Atlantic and Gulf coasts weight measurements should
be given priority over length measurements for interviews where
time is restricted. There may be occasions when length and/or
weight measurements are missing. As a general rule, when weights
and/or lengths are missing, the interviewer should fill the coding
boxes with "9"'s and provide a footnote explaining why
the data are missing.
On the Pacific Coast, weight measurements do not need to be taken.
Length-weight conversion formulas are available to estimate the
weight from the measured length.
If more than fifteen fish of one species are available for inspection,
the interviewer must use an appropriate selection process for
the fifteen fish to be weighed and/or measured. The selection
process, called "subsampling", must be random.
Ideally, the interviewer would line up the fish from largest to
smallest, divide the total number by fifteen, and select every
nth fish for length and weight measurement. For example, if there
are 30 fish of one species, the interviewer should line them up
by size and select every 2nd fish. This method of sampling would
be "systematic" rather than "random".
When systematic sampling is not possible, random sampling is preferred.
Due to time or space limitations, it may be impossible to line
up the fish. In such cases, the interviewer should blindly reach
into the container and randomly select the fifteen fish to be
weighed and measured. At no time should the interviewer visually
select fifteen fish of "average" size to weigh and measure
this is not random or systematic sampling!
2.3.3.2 Key Items
2.3.3.3 Item-by-Item Instructions
2.3.4 Biological Data
2.3.4.1 Fish Identification
2.3.4.2 Length Measurement
2.3.4.3 Weight Measurement
2.3.4.4 Subsampling