0328 SS Part B 040616

0328 SS Part B 040616.docx

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Recreational Landings Reports

OMB: 0648-0328

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SUPPORTING STATEMENT

ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES RECREATIONAL LANDINGS AND BLUEFIN TUNA CATCH REPORTS

OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0328


  1. 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, HMS Charter/Headboat, Atlantic tunas General and Atlantic tunas Harpoon Categories is presented in Table 2. Only anglers fishing on vessels permitted in these categories are allowed to fish for swordfish, billfish, or bluefin tuna outside of registered HMS tournaments. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) does not know the actual respondent universe number, only the number of swordfish, billfish, and bluefin tuna landed and data on bluefin tuna discarded dead. 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 swordfish, billfish, and bluefin tuna landings and dead discard reports are mandatory; therefore this collection is a census of landings and dead discards (for commercial handgear fishermen). NMFS does not know what the response rates are, nor can NMFS predict them, because NMFS is not conducting a statistical survey from a known universe of respondents.


Table 2. Number of HMS permits by year and category, 2003 - 2014.


Year

Angling

Charter/Headboat

General

Harpoon

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



2009

25,506

4,150



2010

24,479

4,174



2011

23,138

4,194



2012

23,061

4,129

4,084

13

2013

21,686

3,968

3,783

14

2014

20,239

3,742

3,396

14


Based on the amount of quota available for bluefin tuna and past landing and discard reports for bluefin tuna and landing reports for swordfish and billfish, it is estimated that up to 11,058 individual reports could be expected each year (Table 3).


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


Species

States

Estimated number of responses

Bluefin Tuna Recreational Catch

MD & NC

3,903

Other states

4,576

Billfish and Swordfish

All

881

Shark Catch Cards

MD

96

Bluefin Tuna Commercial Catch

All

3,590

Total


13,046

Weekly/Biweekly and Annual Reports

MD & NC

64

Bluefin Tuna Verification Calls

MD & NC

20

Total Responses including all requirements


13,130

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 catching (e.g., landing or discarding dead) a bluefin tuna, or landing a swordfish or billfish, or commercial hand-gear fishermen catching a bluefin tuna are required to report within 24 hours. Reports may be made via phone, internet, phone app, or landings cards, depending on the state. 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 because the entire population is being surveyed and no generalization based on a sample of the population will be made; therefore, this question does not apply. However, to further encourage a high response rate (compliance 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, although as mentioned in Part A, Question 4, the MRIP and Large Pelagics Survey programs survey a similar group of respondents. These surveys and their resulting reports include feasibility analyses for potential modifications to the current information collection. One such study was conducted under this PRA clearance in Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico Catch Card Pilot Program) to assess the feasibility of introducing a catch card program similar to those in Maryland and North Carolina. The recommendations of this study are currently in review.

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.


Maryland and North Carolina Catch Cards: Heather Austin

LPS Administrator, State Liaison, and Data Collection

Office of Science and Technology

1315 East West Highway

Silver Spring, MD 20910

(301) 713-2328


Swordfish/Billfish Landings Reports: Katie Davis

Landings Reports Data Collection and Website Development

HMS Management Division

236 13th Avenue North

St. Petersburg, FL 33701

(727) 824-5338


Bluefin Tuna Catch Reports: Brad McHale

Catch Reports Data Collection, Website Development

HMS Management Division

55 Great Republic Drive

Gloucester, MA 01930

(978) 281-9139

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