Guysborough County
SRSF Coastal Fisheries Ecosystem Project

Fish Harvesters' Ecological Knowledge Study

Tier 1 Survey: Identifying Local Experts


Interviewers: Fill in relevant blanks as indicated before interview starts.


Interview code: ___________


INTRODUCTION


May I please speak with Mr./Mrs./Ms.___________________________________
(Notes for interview callbacks if the person is not available.


1st Callback (date and outcome)__________________________________________

2nd Callback (date and outcome)_________________________________________

3rd Callback (date and outcome) _________________________________________


My name is ____________________.


I am a Researcher working with Social Research for Sustainable Fisheries, a partnership between the Guysborough County Inshore Fishermen’s Association and St. Francis Xavier University.

Recently, you received a letter from us describing our research project and asking for your participation in our research. [PAUSE FOR A RESPONSE INDICATING RECEIPT OF THE LETTER]

Our study is concerned with learning about important characteristics of your fishing experiences.
The purpose of our research is to document characteristics of fishing histories, practices, and local knowledge about the fishing ground. All information you provide will be treated as confidential. This interview has five parts and will take approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Once this research is completed all those agreeing to participate will be receiving a summary report of our findings.

Do you have any questions about this research project and its purposes? [PAUSE AND WAIT FOR A REPLY, ANSWERING AS COMPLETELY AS POSSIBLE ANY QUESTIONS ASKED]

Will you agree to participate in this study? Yes _____ No ______ [IF NO, ASK: WOULD YOU MIND TELLING ME WHY YOU DON’T WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS STUDY? (Record a summary of the reasons in the space provided).

Date of Interview: _____________(M/D/Y)
Time Interview Started: ______________

 

SECTION I: ATTACHMENT


To start, I am going to ask you several questions about your feelings concerning fishing and your fishing experiences.


1. Would you tell me, what is the name of the community or harbour from which you are currently fishing?


NAME OF COMMUNITY OR HARBOUR ______________________________
2. Would you tell me, how do you feel about fishing out of (ENTER NAME OF COMMUNITY OR HARBOUR) _____________________________?

Do you feel that…. (CIRCLE THE NUMBER CORRESPONDING TO THE RESPONSE INDICATED)

1. you really belong here? ......................................................................1

2. you belong here?................................................................................2

3. you don’t belong here very much?.......................................................3

4. you don’t belong here at all?...............................................................4

 

3. Now, thinking of the past, do you think that people fishing from this place help each other out less,
the same or more today than they did in the past? Do people help each other out…
(CIRCLE THE NUMBER CORRESPONDING TO THE RESPONSE INDICATED)

1....less than in the past?..........................................................................1

2....the same as in the past? ....................................................................2

3....more than in the past? ......................................................................3

 

4. Thinking for a moment about your working life in fishing.....if you had your life to live over, how likely do you think it is that you would go into fishing again? Do you think that you would definitely, probably, probably not, or definitely not go into fishing again?
(CIRCLE THE NUMBER CORRESPONDING TO THE RESPONSE INDICATED)

1. Definitely...........................................................................................….1

2. Probably.................................................................................................2

3. Probably Not .........................................................................................3

4. Definitely Not....................................................................................….4


5. Now, turning our thoughts for a moment to young people and the present day fisheries,
how likely are you to advise a child of yours to go into fishing? Would you definitely, probably,
probably not, or definitely not advise....(CIRCLE THE NUMBER CORRESPONDING TO THE RESPONSE INDICATED)

 
DEFINITELY
PROBABLY
PROBABLY NOT
DEFINITELY NOT
1...a child of yours
to go into fishing
if they had to start
from scratch?
1
2
3
4
2..a child of yours
to go into fishing
if they could start
with a boat and
only a lobster
license?
1
2
3
4
3...a child of yours
to go into fishing
if they could start
with a boat and all
of the important
fishing licenses?
1
2
3
4
4...a child of yours
to go into fishing
if they were going
to inherit your boat
and licenses?
1
2
3
4



SECTION II: FISHING HISTORY


Now, I am going to ask you several questions about fishing for a living.


6. First of all, about how many years have you been fishing for a living?

___________years

 

7. Currently, would you describe yourself as a fulltime fisherman?

Yes……………………………………………………….1

No……………………………………………………… 2

 

8. Have you always fished for your living?

Yes……………………………………………………….1

No………………………………………………………..2

 

9. From the list that I am about to read to you, would you tell me who else in your family fishes or fished for their living? (CIRCLE THE NUMBERS CORRESPONDING TO THE RESPONSES INDICATED)

 
YES
NO
1. Did or does your father fish for a living?
1
2
2. Did or does your father’s father fish for a living?
1
2
3. Did or does your mother’s father fish for a living?
1
2
4. Did or do any of your father’s brothers fish for a living?
1
2
5. Did or do any of your mother’s brothers fish for a living?
1
2
6. Did or do any of your brothers fish for a living?
1
2
7. Did or do any of your sons fish for a living?
1
2
8. Did or do any of your daughters fish for a living?
1
2
9. Did or does your wife fish for a living?
1
2
10. Did or do any of your sisters fish for a living?
1
2
11. Did or do any of your sisters’ husbands fish for a living?
1
2
12. Did or does your wife’s father fish for a living?
1
2


10. Thinking about when you began fishing, did you begin fishing with...
(CIRCLE THE RESPONSE NUMBER INDICATED)

1. your father?....................................................................................1

2. your father’s father?........................................................................2

3. your mother’s father?......................................................................3

4. one of your father’s brothers?...........................................................4

5. one of your mother’s brothers?..........................................................5

6. one of your brothers?………………………………………………..........................6

7. a family friend?……………………………………………………............................7

8. another kin relation?………………………………………………..........................8

9. none of the above………………………………………………….............................9

 

11. From the list that I am about to read, who would you say taught you most about fishing?

1. your father?....................................................................................1

2. your father’s father?........................................................................2

3. your mother’s father?......................................................................3

4. one of your father’s brothers?...........................................................4

5. one of your mother’s brothers?..........................................................5

6. one of your brothers?………………………………………………..........................6

7. a family friend?……………………………………………………............................7

9. another kin relation?………………………………………………..........................8

 

12. Do you own your current fishing boat?

Yes _______ No _______

 

13. Do you currently own more than one fishing boat?

Yes_______ No________

 

14. What is the length and width of the boat in which you currently fish?

Length____________

Width _____________

 

15. Approximately, how old is this boat?

________ years old

 

16. Approximately how many weeks did you fish last year (2000)?

Weeks fished ___________

 

17. Would you tell me which of the following commercial fishing licenses do you hold? Do you hold……..
(CIRCLE THE RESPONSE NUMBER)

 
YES
NO
1. a Class A lobster license?
1
2
2. a Class B lobster license?
1
2
3. a groundfish license?
1
2
4. a herring license?
1
2
5. a mackeral license?
1
2
6. a tuna license?
1
2
7. other licenses?
1
2

(Please specify [RECORD EACH LICENSE TYPE]

 

18. [IF YES TO Q. 17 # 1 OR 2, ASK THIS ] Now thinking about lobster fishing for a moment,
have you always fished on the same lobster ground? (CHECK MARK THE INDICATED RESPONSE)

Yes ______(IF YES, GO TO Q. 19) No______(IF NO, ASK Q. 18a)

18a. Since you haven’t always fished lobster on the same ground, would you tell me what other lobster grounds have you fished? (PRINT YOUR RECORDING OF THE RESPONSES)

 

19. Have you had any fishing experiences with Green Crab?

Yes____________(ASK Q. 19a)

No_____________(GO TO Q. 20)

 

19a. Have you ever landed Green Crab in your lobster pots?

Yes_________(ASK 19b, 19c)

No__________(GO TO Q. 20)

 

19b. Approximately how many years ago did you first begin seeing Green Crab in lobster pots?

_____________years ago

 

19c. From the time that you first noticed Green Crab in lobster pots, have the numbers of Green Crab increased, decreased or stayed about the same?

1. increased………………………………………………..1

2. decreased……………………………………………….2

3. stayed about the same……………………………3

 

20. Thinking for a moment about where you land your catches, I would like to ask a few questions about where you land your catches.

20a. If fishing lobster, at what port or wharf do you ordinarily make your landings?

____________________ (Print Name of Port)

 

20b. If you fish herring, at what port or wharf do you ordinarily make your landings?

____________________ (Print Name of Port)

 

20c. If fishing groundfish, at what port or wharf do you ordinarily make your landings?

____________________ (Print Name of Port)

 

 

SECTION III: EXPERIENCE WITH FORMAL ORGANISATIONS


Now I’m going to ask you a few questions about your experience with fisheries organisations.


21. To begin with, are you currently paying dues to any fisheries organisation or association?

Yes ________ No ________

 

22. Have you ever been elected or appointed to an office with a fisheries organisation or committee?

Yes ________ No ________

 

23. How frequently do you attend fisheries organisation meetings? Do you attend....
(CIRCLE THE NUMBER FOR THE RESPONSE INDICATED)

1. Always................................................................................................1

2. Frequently..........................................................................................2

3. Seldom...............................................................................................3

4. Never.................................................................................................4

 

24. Have you ever been appointed to or served on any government fisheries councils or advisory committees?

Yes_______ No ________

 

 

SECTION IV: PERSONAL BACKGROUND


Now I’m going to ask just a couple of questions about you.


25. Would you tell, in what year were you born?

Year Born _______________

 

26. Also, would you tell me the name of the community in which you grew up?

NAME OF COMMUNITY _____________________________________

 

27. Finally, would you tell me what was the highest grade or year you completed in school, college or university ?

(Note: THIS MAY REQUIRE PROBING. IF COLLEGE, TRADE OR VOCATIONAL SCHOOL FIND OUT IF THEY COMPLETED HIGH SCHOOL FIRST, BEFORE ENTERING. IF NOT, FIND OUT THE LAST GRADE THEY COMPLETED IN HIGH SCHOOL. ALSO, FIND OUT THE LENGTH OF COLLEGE, TRADE OR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION. CIRCLE THE NUMBER CORRESPONDING TO THE YEARS OF EDUCATION COMPLETED.)

Primary School 1...2...3...4...5...6

Junior High School 7...8...9

High School 10...11...12

Vocational School 1...2...3...4

College 1...2...3...4

University 1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8

 

28. Have you taken any fisheries related short courses?

Yes ____________(ASK Q. 28a) No____________(GO TO Q. 29)

 

28a. Would you please tell me the names of the courses that you have taken?
(RECORD NAMES OF COURSES)

 

29.Now I’m going to ask a few questions about personal computers. First of all, have you used a personal computer?

Yes _________(If Yes, Ask 29a,b) No________(If No, Go To Q. 30)

 

29a. Have you ever used the internet?

Yes________ No________

 

29b. Have you ever used electronic-mail (e-mail)?

Yes______ No_________

 

30. If training on computer use for fisheries was offered free of charge and in a local place, do you think you would attend a training session?

Yes____ No_____

 

 

SECTION V: LOCAL KNOWLEDGE EXPERTS


In finishing, as an important part of this study we will be interviewing people, either currently fishing or retired, who are considered to be especially knowledgeable about the local fishing ground.


Other than yourself, who would you say knows the most about the local fishing ground?

Name of Most Knowledgeable _______________________________________

Would you tell me, is this person currently fishing _________ or retired ________ (Check the Response Category Indicated)?

Are there any other persons currently fishing or retired from fishing who you think are very knowledgeable about the fishing ground?

(PRINT THE NAMES MENTIONED IN THE SPACE PROVIDED AND IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY ARE MENTIONED)

2nd Person Named ________________________________________________

Would you tell me, is this person currently fishing__________ or retired ________?

 

3rd Person Named _________________________________________________

How about this person, are they currently fishing_________ or retired _________?

 

4th Person Named _________________________________________________

Again, is this person currently fishing__________ or retired _________?

 

5th Person Named _________________________________________________

Finally, how about this person, are they currently fishing ______ or retired ______?

 

I. Would you tell me, how have you come to know ____________________________
(Name of Most Knowledgeable)?


31a. Do you know them …

1….as a family friend?……………………………………………………........................1

2….as an immediate relative?……………………………………………....................2

3….as someone with whom you have fished?……………………………..............3

4….by their fishing reputation?…………………………………………....................4

5….by their success at fishing?…………………………………………......................5

6….as a leader within the fishing community?…………………………..............6

7….as a person quick to adopt new fishing techniques and approaches?.....7

8….Other………………………………………………………………….............................8

___________________________________________________________

 

II. Similarily, how have you come to know ___________________________ (2nd Person Named)?

32a. Do you know them …

1….as a family friend?…………………………………………………….......................1

2….as an immediate relative?……………………………………………...................2

3….as someone with whom you have fished?……………………………..............3

4….by their fishing reputation?…………………………………………...................4

5….by their success at fishing?………………………………………….....................5

6….as a leader within the fishing community?………………………….............6

7….as a person quick to adopt new fishing techniques and approaches?....7

8….Other………………………………………………………………….............................8

___________________________________________________________

 

III. And, how have you come to know ________________________________(3rd Person Named)?


33a. Do you know them …

1….as a family friend?…………………………………………………….......................1

2….as an immediate relative?……………………………………………...................2

3….as someone with whom you have fished?……………………………..............3

4….by their fishing reputation?…………………………………………...................4

5….by their success at fishing?………………………………………….....................5

6….as a leader within the fishing community?………………………….............6

7….as a person quick to adopt new fishing techniques and approaches?....7

8….Other………………………………………………………………….............................8

___________________________________________________________

 

IV. How about _____________________________(4th Person Named)…how have you come to know him?


34a. Do you know them …

1….as a family friend?…………………………………………………….......................1

2….as an immediate relative?……………………………………………...................2

3….as someone with whom you have fished?……………………………..............3

4….by their fishing reputation?…………………………………………...................4

5….by their success at fishing?………………………………………….....................5

6….as a leader within the fishing community?………………………….............6

7….as a person quick to adopt new fishing techniques and approaches?....7

8….Other………………………………………………………………….............................8

___________________________________________________________

 

V. Finally, what about ___________________________(5th Person Named)….how have you come to know him?


35a. Do you know them …

1….as a family friend?…………………………………………………….......................1

2….as an immediate relative?……………………………………………...................2

3….as someone with whom you have fished?…………………………….............3

4….by their fishing reputation?…………………………………………...................4

5….by their success at fishing?………………………………………….....................5

6….as a leader within the fishing community?………………………….............6

7….as a person quick to adopt new fishing techniques and approaches?....7

8….Other…………………………………………………………………............................8

___________________________________________________________


It is vital to this study that we include the opinions and the experiences of the persons considered
by you to be most knowledgeable about the fishing ground. If possible, would you provide us with addresses and any other information on how to best contact….


I. _______________________(1st Person Named)
Address/Contact Information
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________


II. ______________________________(2nd Person Named)
Address/Contact Information
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________


III. ____________________________(3rd Person Named)
Address/Contact Information
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________


IV. ______________________________ (4th Person Named)
Address/Contact Information
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________


V. _________________________________ (5th Person Named)
Address/Contact Information)
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

 

Time Interview Ended __________________________