NCR Producer Opinion Survey

PDF File of Survey

The general producer survey consisted of ten questions. For the first nine,
the respondent was asked to rank in importance up to eight or nine groups of
related possible choices of previously recognized needs or constraints. Each
question had an option for including a respondent-generated choice other
than those offered. The first two of these questions and their choices were
repeated for each of the eight species categories in the white papers. The
tenth question asked for opinions on species other than those currently in
the white papers.  This survey was submitted to over 1277 producers using a
mailing list compiled from NCRAC's existing contact database, from state
agency and state aquaculture association lists and web pages.

Survey Response

Results of the survey were compiled and bar graphs made showing frequency of
the ranking of the various question choices.  A PowerPoint presentation (see
appended file) was prepared and presented to the NCRAC/IAC and interested
attendees just prior to the Annual planning meeting sessions.

Survey Interpretation and General Findings

Like the make-up of the NCR aquaculture Industry, the opinions expressed as
to what should be priority issues where highly diverse, and difficult to
generalize or reach a consensus on.   Often opinion on a question was either
highly polarized or ambiguously evenly-ranked.  (For specifics relating to
particular questions consult the graphs in the attached PowerPoint
presentation.)

A few items were strongly supported in the producer survey response:

· The constraining influence of government regulation on the regional
industry was most clearly high ranked by producer opinion.
· The need for dietary and nutritional technological development was
generally highly ranked.
· There was high interest in improvement of pond management in relation to
predators, vegetation and parasite control.
· There was high interest in the development of more cost effective, climate
controlled, recirculating rearing systems.
· Hands-on training and web-based extension activities were more highly
ranked extension activities.