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.