0328 ss ren 082109rev Part B

SUPPORTING STATEMENT
ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES
RECREATIONAL LANDINGS REPORTS
OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0328

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 number of vessel owners permitted in the HMS Angling and the HMS Charter/Headboat
Category can be seen in Table 3. Only anglers fishing on vessels permitted for private
recreational (angling) use or for for-hire recreational use (charter/headboat) are allowed to fish
for SWO, BLF, or BFT outside of registered HMS tournaments. NMFS does not know the
actual respondent universe number, only the number of SWO, BLF, and BFT landed. The
number of permit holders represents only the maximum number of respondents, but this is not
the same as a universe for sampling purposes. There is no sampling or any other method used to
select respondents in this data collection. The SWO, BLF, and BFT landings reports are
mandatory; therefore this collection is a census of landings. NMFS does not know what the
response rates are, nor can NMFS predict them, because the Agency is not conducting a
statistical survey from a known universe of respondents.
Table 2. Number of HMS permits by year and category, 2003 – 2008.
Year

Angling

Charter/Headboat

2003

18,804

4,167

2004

20,245

3,881

2005

24,127

3,963

2006

25,238

4,173

2007

24,220

3,899

2008

26,933

4,297

Based on the amount of quota available for BFT and the past landings reports of SWO and BLF,
it is estimated that up to 11,394 individual reports (see Table 3) could be expected each year (see
the calculations and answer to Question 12 in Section A for details).

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Table 3. Estimated number of annual responses (angler reports).
Species

States

Bluefin Tuna (including
Trophy BFT)
Billfish and Swordfish
Total

MD & NC
Other states
All

Estimated Number of
Responses*
5,034
5,165
1,195
11,394

*Does not include weekly and annual summary reports for MD and NC

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 permitted anglers or vessel owners landing a BFT, SWO, or BLF are
required to report such landing within 24 hours. Reports may be made via phone, Internet, or
landings cards, depending on the state of landing. Landings reports are mandatory and no
statistical methodology or sample selection is involved. Degree of accuracy needed is not
relevant since this is a mandatory reporting program which strives for 100 percent compliance.
No specialized sampling procedures and no use of periodic data collection is involved since this
collection is 100 percent mandatory.
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.
Response rates and nonresponse are terms that apply to statistical surveys based on sampling.
This is not a statistical survey and therefore this question does not apply. However, to further
encourage a high response rate, NMFS conducts an outreach program (compliance guides,
mailings, list serve network, etc.) to inform permit holders of the reporting requirements, and to
indicate the importance of reliable information for stock assessment purposes and
social/economic analysis of potential management measures. NMFS also raises the
aforementioned reporting requirements during all appropriate public hearings, discussions with
leaders of the recreational community, and other meetings with the recreational angling
community to encourage improved reporting.
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.
No tests of procedures or methods will be undertaken.

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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 Swordfish/Billfish Landings Reports:

Greg Fairclough
NMFS/HMS Management Division
263 13th Avenue, South
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 551-5741

For Bluefin Tuna Reports:

Ronald Salz (Catch Card Program)
NMFS/Office of Science and Technology
1315 East West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20190
(301) 713-2328, x214
Brad McHale (IVR Program)
NMFS/HMS Management Division
One Blackburn Drive
Gloucester, MA 01930
(978) 281-9139

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