0020 ss ren 052709 Part B

SUPPORTING STATEMENT
INTERNATIONAL BILLFISH ANGLER SURVEY
OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0020

B:

COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS

1. Describe (including a numerical estimate) the potential respondent universe and any
sampling or other respondent selection method to be used. Data on the number of entities
(e.g. establishments, State and local governmental units, households, or persons) in the
universe and the corresponding sample are to be provided in tabular form. The tabulation
must also include expected response rates for the collection as a whole. If the collection has
been conducted before, provide the actual response rate achieved.
The potential respondent universe includes foreign and domestic billfish anglers participating in
the SWFSC’s Billfish Tagging Program. Also included in the respondent base are institutions
and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) interested in the program but who generally do not
fish. To be placed on the Angler Survey mailing list the angler (or institution) must either 1)
contact the SWFSC and request to be placed on the mailing list or 2) be a participating tagger in
the Billfish Tagging Program (the reporting for which is approved under OMB Control No.
0648-0009).
Potential respondents become aware of the program by: 1) word of mouth; 2) tagging a fish on a
charter trip with a participating captain; 3) catching a tagged fish; or 4) addition to the Billfish
newsletter mailing list due to membership in one of the major angling clubs operating in the
Pacific. The NMFS Billfish Tagging Program is widely known in the Pacific, having operated
for roughly 30 years.
The primary survey targeted respondent base is the U.S. billfish angler fishing in U.S. or U.S.adjacent waters, including Trust Territories in the South and Western Pacific. The Angler
Survey also queries foreign billfish anglers fishing in Central and South American countries,
New Zealand, Australia and several Asian countries. For the 2005 through 2007 surveys, the
total respondent universe ranged from 2,350 to 2,800 anglers and averaged 2,537. Roughly 10%
of the surveys were mailed to foreign anglers. We received an average of 721 responses during
those years, or about 28% of the average respondent universe (30% response rate for U.S.
anglers and 21% response rate for foreign anglers).
2. Describe the procedures for the collection, including: the statistical methodology for
stratification and sample selection; the estimation procedure; the degree of accuracy
needed for the purpose described in the justification; any unusual problems requiring
specialized sampling procedures; and any use of periodic (less frequent than annual) data
collection cycles to reduce burden.
This annual billfish Angler Survey is sent to all billfish anglers and taggers that have participated
in the SWFSC’s billfish research programs during the prior two year period. All are encouraged
to complete and return the Survey card. Statistical analysis of regional fishing CPUE is robust in
regions reporting greater than 100 days fishing effort. Those regions reporting less than 100
days of fishing effort are acceptable when indicating a consistent trend over time. These
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statistical procedures are generally very accurate as they include parameters of central tendency
and variability statistics. More robust statistics are employed to analyze long term trends in
CPUE which include multiple regression and correlation with regional fishery, economic and
environmental factors. These analyses are utilized by fishery biologists and managers in
determining changes in the status of fishery resources and by the Pacific Fishery Management
Council in support of regulatory options. Any reduced effort (less frequent than annual) would
compromise the 34-year time series resulting in reduced ability to provide robust analyses as
mandated.
3. Describe the methods used to maximize response rates and to deal with nonresponse.
The accuracy and reliability of the information collected must be shown to be adequate for
the intended uses. For collections based on sampling, a special justification must be
provided if they will not yield "reliable" data that can be generalized to the universe
studied.
All individual anglers participating in the SWFSC’s Billfish Tagging Program are encouraged to
complete the Survey card through the Billfish Newsletter and by SWFSC staff working directly
with individuals, sport fishing clubs and other organizations. For those countries reporting fewer
than 100 days of fishing effort per year, results are analyzed with the understanding that small
sample sizes result in higher variability.
4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken. Tests are encouraged as
effective means to refine collections, but if ten or more test respondents are involved OMB
must give prior approval.
Tests to refine the collection protocol have not been conducted because of limited funding and
staff. The survey results do indicate some refinements could improve the response rates,
particularly for foreign and institutional respondents. For example, as described above, although
10% of the survey forms are sent to foreign anglers, only 20-25% of those are returned. As staff
time and funding permit, we are pursuing establishing a web based form and increasing outreach
efforts to improve response rates.
5. Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on the statistical
aspects of the design, and the name of the agency unit, contractor(s), grantee(s), or other
person(s) who will actually collect and/or analyze the information for the agency.
The Project Leader is Dr. Suzanne Kohin, Research Fishery Biologist (858.546.7104).
The Division Chief is Dr. Russ Vetter (858.546.7125).

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