A Pilot Study Comparing License-Based Telephone, RDD Telephone, and On-Site Surveys of Marine Recreational Fishing Effort in Washington

Declining cooperation and coverage rates in random digit dialing (RDD) telephone surveys for sport fishing has triggered new research on sampling from angler fishing license directories. However, most state license lists exclude some anglers, and telephone methods can result in high nonresponse. We examine frame coverage, nonresponse, potential biases, and costs of an RDD and an angler license telephone survey in Washington and compare trip estimates with an intensive on-site sampling method used to estimate sport fishing on ocean boats. The study included a subsample of anglers from the onsite survey to collect auxiliary data used to identify telephone survey frame membership and angler differences. 

Comparisons show that the angler license survey is more cost efficient with lower nonresponse rates.  Overall, the telephone surveys produced trip estimates that were not significantly different from each other or the on-site survey. However, there were exceptions and differences were found between easy and harder to reach anglers, as well as those who terminate and complete the telephone interviews.  Although the estimates are similar, features of the angler directory include cost effectiveness, improved coverage, reduced nonresponse, and a supply of variables useful for adjusting for the nonresponse bias that are not present in the RDD.