...to preserve, protect, develop, and restore coastal resources for all Rhode Islanders
Boaters Watch Your Mailboxes – New Survey Invites Boat Owners to Inform Ocean Management in the Northeast
The 2012 Northeast Recreational Boater Survey will collect real world information on boating routes and economic activity from boaters in ME, NH, MA, RI, CT and NY.
Media Contact: Kim Starbuck
617-737-2600 ext. 102
kstarbuck@seaplan.org
April 18, 2012, BOSTON, MA – This May, 68,000 boat owners in the Northeast will receive invitations to participate in a survey that will document popular saltwater recreational boating routes and define boaters’ contribution to state economies. The results will inform coastal management decisions and can be used by boaters and the boating industry to promote access to favorite boating locations and to aid in business planning.
Each month researchers will ask boaters to log onto a mapping website where they can draw their last boating trip on an interactive navigation chart and include information about fishing, wildlife viewing or other activities they did during their trip. Boaters will also be asked how much money they spent on various boating related activities so economists can determine the overall contribution of recreational boating to state and regional economies. Sponsors have provided incentive prizes for participants, including a grand prize drawing of $5,000. In addition to boat owners randomly selected from state and U.S. Coast Guard registration lists, researchers invite any saltwater boater to submit their information.
SeaPlan survey manager Kim Starbuck says boaters are eager to participate. “I have talked with many boaters who want to make sure that coastal planners know when and where they go boating so access to those areas can be considered.” Starbuck adds, “States don’t have the resources to fund this large scale research, but our partnership with the boating industry and private foundations is getting the job done.”
SeaPlan, an independent nonprofit organization, is partnering with the Northeast Regional Ocean Council, the boating industry, University of Massachusetts and state coastal planners to conduct this survey.