The objective of these surveys is to
assess the level of awareness on issues related to regulations
preventing feeding/harassment of wild bottlenose dolphins, which
are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). In
particular, the surveys are designed to determine what commercial
businesses and the general public know about specific regulations
prohibiting feeding and harassment of bottlenose dolphins, and how
they gained their knowledge and/or perceptions on the topic. This
survey was initially conducted in Panama City, Florida, where
numerous incidences of dolphin harassment and feeding are
continually documented. The intent is to use this survey in one to
two other geographic areas of the southeast region that are also
"hot-spots" for dolphin harassment and feeding activities to gain a
similar understanding and ensure outreach messages are appropriate
for intended audiences.
US Code:
16 USC 1361 et seq. Name of Law: Marine Mammal Protection Act
of 1972 as amended in 2007
This data collection effort was
previously conducted in the Panama City, FL area because it has
been a hotspot for illegal feeding and harassment of wild dolphins
for almost two decades. Although the geographic locations for
subsequent collections are currently unknown, the location for this
requested survey will be a coastal tourism city in the Southeast
United States with similar human-dolphin interaction concerns.
Another collection is important to ground truth what was learned in
Panama City and determine motivations to change attitudes and
behaviors. The estimated burden has been reduced, based on results
of the previous survey.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.