0542 ss ren 060209 Part B

0542 ss ren 060209 Part B.doc

Mandatory Shrimp Vessel and Gear Characterization Survey

OMB: 0648-0542

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SUPPORTING STATEMENT

MANDATORY SHRIMP VESSEL AND GEAR CHARACTERIZATION SURVEY

OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0542

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.

This is a mandatory census-level data collection effort. Thus, this data collection effort does not employ statistical methods for developing a random sampling design and the expected response rate is close to 100%. The survey is conducted annually. The respondent universe is all vessels that hold a federal Gulf shrimp permit under the permit moratorium: the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council’s action in 2003, which was intended to place a cap, or moratorium, on the number of commercial shrimp fishing vessels allowed to fish in the Gulf.

The number of qualifying vessels is 1,932. The final number may be lower as vessel owners may have recently lost, or may lose during the next three years, the use of their permits.

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.

The form will be mailed to all moratorium permit holders once a year beginning in February-March of each respective year. No statistical methodology will be employed, estimation will not be required, and no special sampling procedures will be used. The information is needed at the census level so that it can be used to develop statistically valid sampling designs for several other important data collection programs (e.g. observers, electronic logbooks, socioeconomic surveys, etc.).

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.

By requiring completion of this form in order to renew a permit, this requirement in itself will serve to maximize response rate. The expected response rate is close to 100% and thus non-response is not an anticipated issue.

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 questions contained in the previous version of OMB Control No. 0648-0542 were part of a voluntary, in-person socioeconomic survey of offshore shrimp vessels in the Gulf of Mexico. The questions were pre-tested and then actually fielded as part of that survey effort. Minor modifications were made to the original survey questions to reduce the burden on respondents and to reflect current regulations.

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.

Rick A. Hart, Ph.D.