0468 ss rev 060308rev

SUPPORTING STATEMENT
PROTOCOL FOR ACCESS TO TISSUE SPECIMEN SAMPLES FROM THE
NATIONAL MARINE MAMMAL TISSUE BANK
OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0468

A.

JUSTIFICATION

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.
The current purpose of this collection of information is to enable National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to allow the scientific community the opportunity to
request tissue specimen samples from the National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank (NMMTB).
This information collection is being revised to also enable the Marine Mammal Health and
Stranding Response Program (MMHSRP) of NOAA to assemble information on all specimens
submitted to the National Biomonitoring Specimen Bank (Bank), which includes the NMMTB.
Analysis of biological samples and dissemination of research findings fulfills four of the primary
goals of the MMHSRP. This program was established in the late 1980s in response to growing
concern about marine mammals washing ashore in U.S. waters. The MMHSRP goals are: 1) to
facilitate collection and dissemination of data, 2) to assess health trends in marine mammals, 3) to
correlate health with available data on physical, chemical, environmental, and biological
parameters, and 4) to coordinate effective responses to unusual mortality events. The Federal
Register Notice soliciting public comment for this new requirement was for a new collection; it
was later decided to incorporate the new requirement into this existing information collection.
The MMHSRP was formalized by the 1992 Amendments to the Marine Mammal Protection Act,
and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) was designated as the lead agency to
coordinate related activities. The program has the following components: 1) stranding networks,
2) responses/investigations of mortality events, 3) biomonitoring, 4) tissue/serum banking and 5)
analytical quality assurance.
The NMMTB was established in 1992 as a component of the National Biomonitoring Specimen
Bank and provides protocols, techniques, and physical facilities for the long-term storage of
tissues from marine mammals. Scientists can request tissues from this repository for
retrospective analyses to determine environmental trends of contaminants and other analysts of
interest. The NMMTB collects, processes, and stores tissues from specific indicator species (e.g.,
Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic white sided dolphins, pilot whales and harbor porpoise),
animals from mass strandings, animals that have been obtained incidental to commercial
fisheries, animals taken for subsistence purposes, biopsies, and animals from unusual mortality
events.
Under 16 U.S.C. 1421f section 407(d)(1) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the NMFS
must establish criteria for access to marine mammal tissues in the NMMTB and make those
available for public comment and review. This was accomplished through the proposed rule RIN
0648-AQ51, published on 11/12/2002, and codified in 50 CFR 216.47.
There is only a very limited amount of samples available and the NMMTB emphasizes that the
intended use of these tissue specimens be for retrospective analysis. Priority will be given to
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requests that fulfill the goals of the NMMTB, MMHSRP and to research that would otherwise
not be accomplished because of limited availability of samples.
2. Explain how, by whom, how frequently, and for what purpose the information will be
used. If the information collected will be disseminated to the public or used to support
information that will be disseminated to the public, then explain how the collection
complies with applicable NOAA Information Quality Guidelines.
A. INFORMATION ON REQUESTING SAMPLES FROM THE BANK
Requestors can apply as many times as they wish, but NMFS expects to receive only 20
applications per year.
1. Requestors must submit a written request with attached study plan to the MMHSRP
Coordinator, NMFS/Office of Protected Resources.
2. The following specific information must be included in the request:
a. A clear and concise statement of the proposed use of the banked tissue specimen. The
applicant must demonstrate that the proposed use is consistent with the goals of the
MMHSRP and the NMMTB.
b. A copy of the applicant’s scientific research permit. The applicant must demonstrate that
the proposed use of the banked tissue is authorized by the permit.
c. Name of principal investigator, official title, and affiliated research or academic
organization.
d. Specific tissue sample and quantity desired.
e. Justification for use of the banked tissue.
f. Research facility where analyses will be conducted must follow the Analytical Quality
Assurance program which was designed to ensure the accuracy, precision, level of
detection, and intercompatibility of data resulting from chemical analyses of marine
mammal tissues. Standard reference materials for use in the analysis of marine mammal
tissues can be purchased from the National Institute of Standards and Technology
(NIST).
g. Estimated date for completion of research, and schedule/date of subsequent reports.
h. Agreement that all requests/findings will be reported to the NMMTB and the MMHSRP
Program Manager.
i. Agreement that credit and acknowledgment will be given to NMFS, U.S. Geologic
Service, NIST, U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, the NMMTB, and the collector
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j. for use of banked tissues. The applicant shall insert the following acknowledgment in all
publications, abstracts or presentations:
The specimens used in this study were provided by the National Marine Mammal
Tissue Bank, which is maintained in the National Biomonitoring Specimen Bank
at NIST and which is operated under the direction of NMFS with the
collaboration of United States Coast Guard (USCG), U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS), and NIST through the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding
Response Program [and the Alaska Marine Mammal Tissue Archival Project if
the samples are from Alaska].
3. Upon submission, the MMHSRP Program Manager will send the request and attached study
plan to the following entities which will function as the review committee:
a. Appropriate marine mammal management office for that particular species,
b. Representatives of the NMMTB Collaborating Agencies, and
c. Contributor, if applicable.
4. Shipping costs will be borne by the requester. Homogenization costs for any specimens will
also be borne by the requester. The applicant shall report to the MMHSRP Program Manager
all research findings based on use of the banked tissue in accordance with the schedule
submitted with the application.
B. INFORMATION ON SUBMITTING SAMPLES TO THE BANK
The information on the NMMTB form will be collected whenever specimens are prepared for
submission to the Bank. The required form asks for basic information on the submitted sample
such as gender, age, common and species name of the animal sampled.(Indicator species include:
harbor seal (Phoca vitulina), California sea lion (Zalophus californianus), northern fur seal
(Callorhinus ursinus), ringed seal (P. hispida), pilot whale (Globicephala melas), harbor
porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), Atlantic white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus), pygmy
sperm whale (Kogia breviceps), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), rough-toothed dolphin
(Steno bredanensis), common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), beluga whale (Delphinapterus
leucas), bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus), polar bear (Ursus maritimus). Additional species
have also been included. See Table 1 in the instructions for a list of all species collected as a part
of the NMMTB.) These data sheets should be shipped with all samples to the Bank. The
information is made available to the scientific community, aquariums, universities, government
personnel, native Alaskans and any other partner organization of the MMHSRP. Sources of
specimens include freshly-dead stranded animals, incidental takes in fishing activities, animals
obtained through live capture and release programs, captive animals, animals taken by Alaskan
natives for subsistence, and animals taken through aboriginal subsistence hunts according to
treaty rights. The information is used to determine environmental trends of contaminants,
establish baseline data on the health of marine animal populations, and correlate health with
available data on physical, chemical, and environmental parameters and other analyses of
interest.
It is anticipated that the information collected on the samples will be disseminated to the public
or used to support publicly disseminated information. Although the information collected for
sample requests is not expected to be disseminated directly to the public, results may be used in
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scientific, management, technical or general informational publications. As explained in the
preceding paragraph, the information gathered has utility. NMFS will retain control over the
information and safeguard it from improper access, modification, and destruction, consistent
with NOAA standards for confidentiality, privacy, and electronic information. See response #10
of this Supporting Statement for more information on confidentiality and privacy. The
information collection is designed to yield data that meet all applicable information quality
guidelines. Prior to dissemination, the information will be subjected to quality control measures
and a pre-dissemination review pursuant to Section 515 of Public Law 106-554.
3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological techniques or other forms of
information technology.
The specimen banking information sheets will be available electronically (downloadable and
fillable) through the MMHSRP website (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/tissue/); however,
respondents do not need electronic access to fill out and submit the informational data sheets.
They may be obtained by calling The National Institute of Science and Technology, Hollings
Marine Lab (843-762-8952).
4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.
There is only one National Biomonitoring Specimen Bank and only one NMMTB, so researchers
and stranding network participants can only submit and/or request specimens to/from this bank.
Since many of the animals on which information will be submitted have been stranded and
stranding report (“Level A”) forms have been completed (under Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) Control No. 0648-0178), the two databases will retrieve duplicate information
from the other forms.
5. If the collection of information involves small businesses or other small entities, describe
the methods used to minimize burden.
This collection of information affects the scientific community. Part of the scientific community
is composed of small businesses. However, the burden is not considered to be significant, since
only about 20 applicants will be applying for a tissue specimen sample and the estimated time to
respond is 2 hours per request (and 2 hours for a report).
In order to minimize burden to small entities, the federal program pays for collection of
specimens by small entities through contracts. Additionally, Prescott Grant recipients are paid
for their sample collection work through the grant or subcontract. The Prescott Grant Program is
conducted by the Secretary of Commerce to provide grants or cooperative agreements to eligible
stranding network participants for 1) recovery and treatment (i.e., rehabilitation) of stranded
marine mammals, 2) data collection from living or dead stranded marine mammals, and
3) facility upgrades, operation costs and staffing needs directly related to the recovery and
treatment of stranded marine mammals and collection of data from living or dead stranded
marine mammals. Shipping costs for tissue samples are borne by a collaborating agency, the
National Institute of Standards (NIST). Copying costs should be minimal.

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6. Describe the consequences to the Federal program or policy activities if the collection is
not conducted or is conducted less frequently.
If this information collection is not conducted, the specimens will be of minimal use to the
scientific community or to the statutory requirements of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
The Bank provides researchers specimens that have been collected in a systematic and welldocumented manner for comparing results over time to identify whether environmental and
health trends exist. Without background information on all specimens submitted to the Bank,
scientists cannot conduct comparative and retrospective analyses or interpretation on archived
marine mammal tissues.
7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a
manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.
The collection is consistent with OMB guidelines.
8. Provide information on the PRA Federal Register Notice that solicited public comments
on the information collection prior to this submission. Summarize the public comments
received in response to that notice and describe the actions taken by the agency in response
to those comments. Describe the efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain
their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions
and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be
recorded, disclosed, or reported.
A Federal Register Notice, published on December 6, 2005 (70 FR 72613), solicited public
comments. No comments were received.
The MMHSRP has consulted with scientists from the U.S. Geologic Service, NIST, and the
USFWS regarding the availability of data to requesters. These collaborating agencies are also
principal representatives of the NMMTB.
9. Explain any decisions to provide payments or gifts to respondents, other than
remuneration of contractors or grantees.
There is no provision to provide any payment or gift to participants in this request for tissue
specimen samples.
10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for
assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
No confidentiality is promised or provided.
11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual
behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered
private.
There are no sensitive questions.
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12. Provide an estimate in hours of the burden of the collection of information.
Burden hours for requesting tissue specimen samples: NMFS estimates that approximately 20
applicants will be requesting tissue specimen samples. The estimated time required to fill out the
application is 2 hours. The estimated time to report research findings is 2 hours.
20 applicants x 2 hours x 2 times per year = 40 responses and 80 hours.
Burden hours for submitting specimen samples: NMFS estimates that the total number of
respondents is 30 people. The annual average of submissions is 100. The estimated time to fill
out the informational data sheet is 45 minutes.
100 submissions x 45 minutes/60 minutes = 100 responses and 75 hours.
Total for both is 155 hours.
13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to the respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection (excluding the value of the burden hours in #12
above).
The total annual cost to the applicant for requesting tissue specimen samples and reporting
research findings is:
Postage and copying: $3.57 per applicant
Total cost: 20 x $3.57 = $71.40 ($72.00 in ROCIS).
Shipping costs for tissue samples are borne by a collaborating agency, the National Institute
of Standards (NIST). Thus, the only cost for tissue sample submission is for copying the
Tissue Bank Submission Form enclosed with each sample:
Copying: 5 pages x $0.16 = $0.80 per tissue sample
100 submissions per year = 100 x $0.80 = $80.00 total annual cost burden
Total costs for all information collection requirements: $71.40 + $80.00 = $151.40 ($152.00
in ROCIS).
14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government.
There will be no annualized cost to the Federal government.
15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 13 or
14 of the OMB 83-I.
Program changes: Addition of the estimated 100 tissue bank forms, @ 45 minutes each,
increases the total annualized burden by 75 hours, to a total of 155 hours. Addition of copying
costs for the 100 forms increases costs by $80.00, to a total of $151.40 ($152.00).
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Adjustment: Cost for the applications and reports did not change, but in ROCIS, since the
amount migrated over to ROCIS was rounded down to $0, there is an apparent adjusted increase
of $72.
16. For collections whose results will be published, outline the plans for tabulation and
publication.
Results of analyses and studies assessing marine animal health and environmental trends
utilizing the archived specimens from the Bank will be published by researchers and scientists.
These results will be presented in scientific conferences and peer-reviewed journals and books.
The NIST will publish reports on trends in marine mammal health and environmental
parameters. Collectors or submitters will be acknowledged or offered co-authorship in all public
documents. NOAA has no plans at this time to make the results of the information collection
available to the public over the Internet.
17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the
information collection, explain the reasons why display would be inappropriate.
Not applicable.
18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in Item 19 of the
OMB 83-I.
There are no exceptions.

B. COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS
This collection of information does not employ statistical methods.

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