This study profiles whale watching
observers who access the Channel Islands coastal and ocean region
in California off the coast of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and
Ventura counties via for hire operation/guide operation boats.
Information is obtained on demographic profiles of users (e.g. age,
gender, race/ethnicity, education level, household income,
household size, household type and place of residence). Information
is also obtained on the extent of annual use in the Channel Islands
region for whale watching and other wildlife observation and the
expenditures made while undertaking the activity to estimate the
economic impact on the local area economy in terms of sales/output,
value-added, income and employment. The most important study
component is the estimation of the non-market economic use value of
whale watching and other wildlife observation and how that value
changes with changes in natural resource attributes (e.g. number of
large Main baleen whales saved per year, change in the population
status of other baleen whales, change in the population status of
smaller whales and dolphins & porpoises, change in population
status of sea lions & seals, and change in the population
status of seabirds & shorebirds. Additional information is
obtained on importance-satisfaction ratings for natural resources
that serve as Human Dimensions non-economic indicators of the
recreation ecosystem service.
US Code:
16
USC 1431 Name of Law: National Marine Sanctuaries Act
US Code: 16
USC 1361 Name of Law: Marine Mammal Protection Act
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.