Justification - Smalltooth Sawfish Encounter Hotline

Project Title: Smalltooth Sawfish Encounter Hotline

Program Office Sponsoring or Conducting this CSC Project: NMFS SERO

Authority for this CSC Project: ESA

Purpose of this CSC Project: This project collection data NMFS uses to track population abundance and distribution of endangered smalltooth sawfish within the southeastern US.

Type(s) of Information Collected and From Whom It Is Collected: The public is asked to voluntarily report encounters (captures or sightings) with smalltooth sawfish. Information includes type of encounter, date, location, size(s) of sawfish, general habitat description, name of person reporting, whether pictures or video were taken (for verification), and pictures or videos if taken.

Use of the Information: NMFS uses this information to track population recovery and identify any rising threats.

Method(s) of Information Collection: Voluntarily submitted phone calls, emails, or online forms

Affected Public: Individuals (reporting), state government (partners collecting and entering data)

Estimated Average Annual Number of Participants: 1,100

Estimated Average Annual Number of Responses per Participant: 1

Estimated Average Minutes per Response: 10

Estimated Average Annual Burden Hours: 183

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Participants in this CSC Project: $0

Estimated Average Annual Costs to the Federal Government: $8,539

Estimated Average Annual Number of Federal Government Employees (FTEs): 0.02

Recruitment and Retention Methods for Voluntary Participants (SSA item 1): Numerous outreach initiatives are in place to raise awareness about this endangered species and the usefulness of reporting public encounters. These range from educational signage placed at marinas and boat ramps, to public outreach presentations at various locations throughout Florida. Efforts have been underway for 10+ years so the program is fully established at this point.

Gifts or Payments (SSA Item 9): We do not plan to provide a gift or payment to the voluntary participants.

Annual and Multi-Year Schedules (SSA Item 16): Project is ongoing with no end date projected. At minimum data will be analyzed and incorporated into ESA 5-year reviews though other analyses may be published at additional intervals.

Display OMB Control No. and Expiration Date (SSA Item 17): This information will be provided on educational signage placed at marinas and boat ramps, at public outreach presentations and on the web form.

Statistical Methods: This CSC project will not employ statistical methods.

Approval for Pretesting: This CSC project will not require additional pretesting with more than nine members of the public.

Supplemental Documents: The five supplemental documents for this CSC project are as follows:

1. Pages captured from the web-based data entry app at: http://www.sawfishrecovery.org/report-a-sawfish/

2. Related Links

3. Handling and Releasing Guidelines

4. Viewing Guidelines

5. U.S. Sawfish Research and Conservation

The last four provide recruitment and educational material.

CERTIFICATION: I certify the following are true.

1. The collection is voluntary.

2. The collection is low-burden for respondents and low-cost for the Federal Government.

3. The collection is non-controversial and does not raise issues of concern to other federal agencies.

4. The collection will not include highly influential scientific information, ,which is information NOAA or OMB determines: (i) could have a potential impact of more than $500 million in any year, or (ii) is novel, controversial, or precedent setting or has significant interagency interest.

5. The collection complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

6. The collection will provide qualitative and quantitative data that help inform scientific research and monitoring, validate models or tools, support STEM learning, and enhance the quantity and quality of data collected to support NOAA’s mission.

Name: Adam Brame