0259 Supporting Statement 011911

SUPPORTING STATEMENT
TAG RECAPTURE CARD
OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0259

A. JUSTIFICATION
1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.
This request is for the renewal of a currently approved information collection.
The Cooperative Game Fish Tagging Program (CGFTP) was initiated in 1954 by Woods
Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). In 1973, the CGFTP became a cooperative
effort between WHOI and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) as part of a
comprehensive research program resulting from passage of the Migratory Game Fish
Study Act of 1959 (16 U.S.C. 760e et seq.) and other legislative acts under which the
NMFS operates. In 1980 sole control of the CGFTP was transferred to the NMFS. The
CGFTP was later renamed the Cooperative Tagging Center (CTC). The CTC attempts to
determine the migratory patterns of, and other biological information on, billfish, tunas,
and swordfish by having recreational fishermen tag and release their catch, so that fish
can be subsequently recaptured.
Tagging and releasing fish is a voluntary activity. However, for the program to provide
useful scientific data, certain information is required. Information on the actual tagging is
needed and the “Tag Issue Report” is the form used by the fishermen to report that they
have tagged and released a fish. That form is approved under OMB Control No. 06480247.
The “Tag Recapture Card”, approved under OMB Control No. 0648-0259, is used by
fishermen to provide information on the capture of fish that have been tagged. Forms are
distributed to various fishing boat captains. If a tagged fish is caught, the Tag Recapture
Card is completed and mailed to the Southeast Fisheries Science Center. The data on the
fish is recorded and matched with the data that was reported on the Issue Report. In some
instances, the angler may not have a card or simply prefers to phone in a tag recapture
rather than fill out and mail the card to the CTC. The estimated burden includes all (both
mail and phone) recapture reports.
2. Explain how, by whom, how frequently, and for what purpose the information
will be used.
Information on each species is used by NMFS to determine migratory patterns, distance
traveled, stock boundaries, and age and growth data. These data are necessary inputs for
developing management criteria by regional fishery management councils, states and
NMFS. The Tag Recapture Cards are necessary to facilitate the volunteer fishermen in
recording when and where the fish was tagged, the species, its estimated length and
weight, tag number, and information about the person who tagged the fish.

As explained in the preceding paragraphs, the information gathered has utility. The
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 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 to Question 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.
No other satisfactory method of obtaining movement and other tag-related information on
fishes has been identified, given the fact that cards are often completed on small vessels.
4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.
No duplication was evident during consultations with other conservation agencies.
5. If the collection of information involves small businesses or other small entities,
describe the methods used to minimize burden.
The collection does not involve small businesses.
6. Describe the consequences to the Federal program or policy activities if the
collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently.
The usefulness of this program would be compromised if the collection of these data did
not take place on a continual basis. It would be impossible to track trends in fish
movement, stock definitions, and growth rates. In addition, operating the program on a
less than annual frequency would have an adverse effect on the voluntary participation
rate.
7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a
manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.
No special circumstances are required.

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8. Provide a copy of 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 soliciting comments was published on August 11, 2010 (75 FR
48642). No comments were received.
The NMFS has sole Federal authority to obtain these data. However, consultations take
place on a continuous basis with fishery commissions and other agencies in the eastern
United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and other participating nations throughout
the Atlantic Ocean. In practice, individual states have deferred to the NMFS effort
because of its expertise, its broader geological range of coverage, and the long
established cooperation of fishermen and their organizations.
9. Explain any decisions to provide payments or gifts to respondents, other than
remuneration of contractors or grantees.
As an incentive for participating in the CTC tagging program, we provide fishermen who
recapture a tagged fish CTC baseball caps. Tag history is made available to fishermen
involved with each tag.
10. Describe any assurance or confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis
for assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
All data are confidential in accordance with NAO 216-100, Protection of Confidential
Fisheries Statistics.
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.
No sensitive questions are asked.
12. Provide an estimate in hours of the burden of the collection of information.
We estimate that approximately two minutes are required to complete the Recapture
Form (by either mail or phone). Thus, the total burden on the public is estimated to be 8
hours.
Estimated responses per year
Mean time/response
Total Hours

x

240
2 minutes/60 minutes
8
3

Hourly labor rate
Total hours
Total labor cost

$10.00
8
$80.00

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to the respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection.
There are no start-up or other costs to the public. Postage is prepaid.
14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government.
Annualized cost to the Federal government:
a. 240 responses x $10.00 per hour x $1.55 (overhead, printing, mailing) =
$3,720.00
b. 15 cards printed/year x $0.15 per card = $47.25
c. 240 hats x $5.85/hat = $1,404
Total cost = $5,171.25
15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments.
There are no changes.
16. For collections whose results will be published, outline the plans for tabulation
and publication.
A summary of tagging effort is produced annually. Data are used in scientific studies,
journal articles, and stock assessments conducted by NMFS.
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.
Not applicable.

B. COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL
METHODS
Statistical methods are not used.

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The requested tag recapture information is needed to aid NOAA in the management of
marine fisheries. The information will be used to determine migratory patterns and other
biological information on the species tagged. Your response is voluntary and will be
treated confidentially under NOAA Administrative Order 216-100. Notwithstanding any
other provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be
subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of information
displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.

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