Hurricane Sandy, considered the second
most costly storm in the history of the United States, struck New
Jersey and New York on October 29, 2012 significantly impacting the
fishing industries in these states. Hurricane Sandy generated so
much damage and disruption to coastal fishing communities that it
was formally considered a 'fishery resource disaster.' Restoring
both the commercial and recreational fishing sectors is critical to
rebuilding the economic base of these states. The Northeast
Fisheries Science Center's Social Sciences Branch of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Fisheries
Service, located in Woods Hole, MA, intends to perform a survey
among participants in the commercial and recreational fishing
industry in New York and New Jersey affected by Hurricane Sandy.
The survey will collect data on commercial and for hire fishermen,
bait and tackle stores, seafood dealers, marinas and aquaculture
facilities. The purpose of this study is to understand how
Hurricane Sandy affected the commercial and recreational fishing
industries. The survey is intended to identify long term impacts
and impediments to recovery. This data collection provides
essential information on the current condition of the fishing
industries in these states that can be used both to improve future
responses to disasters and in fishery management actions in the
Northeastern United States. This information will increase the
agency's knowledge of the compounding effects of natural disasters
and changes in fisheries regulations in order to improve fisheries
management. SSB will use the data collected in this survey to
create a one year post-impact baseline.
US Code:
42 USC 4371 et seq. Name of Law: National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969
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.