From March 2016 through February 2017, NOAA Fisheries will conduct a web-based survey of Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) tournament operators and participants.
The agency will collect data on the costs associated with operating and participating in these events. These data from billfish, tuna, shark, and swordfish tournaments in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico will allow NOAA Fisheries to provide the best available science to fishery managers to better understand the economic contributions of these tournaments to coastal communities.
Operators of all registered HMS tournaments will be asked to participate in the voluntary survey. About half of registered tournaments will be randomly selected to survey tournament participants.
The responses to these surveys will be entered into economic models that will show how the money spent at HMS tournaments supports community businesses such as restaurants, hotels, tackle and bait shops, marinas, and other coastal businesses.
For more information on the survey,visit:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/compliance/tournaments/main/hms_participant_survey.pdf
source: NOAA Fisheries