[SEMCO] CZ-Mail Update - May 4, 2012

[CZ-Mail (ENV)]

CZ-MAIL UPDATE
May 4, 2012

Massachusetts Saltwater Boaters Invited to Participate in 2012 Northeast Recreational Boater Survey
Starting this spring, SeaPlan is partnering with the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM), the Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC), the boating industry, the University of Massachusetts, and other state coastal management programs to conduct a 2012 Northeast Recreational Boater Survey as part of its efforts to advance ocean planning throughout the region. The survey will document saltwater recreational boating routes and define boaters' contribution to state and regional economies. In May, 68,000 randomly selected boat owners from Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York will receive an invitation in the mail requesting participation in the survey. Each month, researchers will ask participating boaters to log on to an easy-to-use 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. Results will directly support coastal and ocean management by bringing more comprehensive and spatially accurate information into planning and decision making. Sponsors, such as the Massachusetts Marine Trade Association and boat manufacturer Grady White, have provided incentive prizes for participants, including a grand prize of $5,000. Boaters that do not receive an invitation in the mail are encouraged to participate in a separate volunteer survey. "SeaPlan conducted a similar survey of Massachusetts boaters in 2010 that gave us vastly improved information for our ocean planning efforts," said CZM Director Bruce Carlisle, who is currently serving as NROC Co-Chair. "I expect the results of the 2012 survey will be equally valuable to regional ocean planning." The survey and volunteer version can be found at www.neboatersurvey.org<http://www.neboatersurvey.org>.
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