0323 ss ren 052909 Part B

SUPPORTING STATEMENT
HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION
AND REPORTING
OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0323
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.
All HMS tournaments (approximately 300: 210 targeting billfish and 90 targeting only tuna
and/or sharks) are required to be registered and all 300 tournaments are targeted for reporting
(i.e. a census).
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.
As stated above, all HMS tournaments will be selected for reporting (i.e. a census). By
employing a census scheme, NMFS will obtain reliable, long-term fishery-dependent data in an
efficient manner.
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.
Tournaments that are selected for reporting are required by law to submit a completed
tournament summary form along with a copy of tournament rules to NMFS within seven days
after the completion of tournament fishing (50 CFR 635.5(d)). The reporting form and selection
notice are provided to tournament operators. The required information is identical to what
tournament operators already collect to determine a tournament winner. Because the information
is readily available to tournament operators, it is possible to complete the reporting summary
form quickly and easily. The only additional time or cost burden associated with the collection
would be for transcribing, photocopying and mailing/faxing. Because of the mandatory
requirement and because the reporting form summarizes information that tournament operators
already have, NMFS anticipates a high response rate. In recent years, response rates have varied
from 82 – 94%. To further encourage a high response rate, NMFS conducts an outreach program
(brochures, mailings, e-mail network, etc.) to inform tournament operators of the registration and
reporting requirements, and to indicate the importance of reliable tournament information for

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stock assessment purposes and social/economic analysis of potential management measures.
Information obtained is analyzed for reliability before it is incorporated into stock assessments.
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.
The information obtained from HMS tournament reports may be incorporated into stock
assessment documents prepared by NOAA fishery scientists, if the data is considered reliable.
The stock assessment documents are then discussed and peer-reviewed by domestic and
international experts before any policy-related agreements or decisions are made. The peer
review process may suggest any possible modifications to the information collection, if deemed
necessary.
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.
For HMS Tournament Registration: Russell Dunn/Richard Pearson/Greg Fairclough/Randy
Blankinship
NMFS/HMS Management Division
263 13th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 824-5399
For HMS Tournament Reporting:

Arietta Venizelos
NMFS/Southeast Fisheries Science Center
75 Virginia Beach Drive
Miami, FL 33149
(305) 361-4214
Anna Avrigian
NMFS/Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Panama City Laboratory
3500 Delwood Beach Road
Panama City, FL 32408
(850) 234-6541
Lisa Natanson
NMFS/Northeast Fisheries Science Center
Narragansett Laboratory
28 Tarzwell Drive
Narragansett, RI 02882
(401) 782-3320

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