Justification - Marine Mammal Data Collection

Project Title: Marine Mammal Data Collection

Program Office Sponsoring or Conducting this CSC Project: NMFS/AFSC/Marine Mammal Laboratory

Authority for this CSC Project: MMPA, ESA, NEPA, and CCSA

Purpose of this CSC Project: This project collects opportunistic sightings of marine mammals in Alaska to expand NMFS' knowledge of species distribution.

Type(s) of Information Collected and From Whom It Is Collected: This project collects information pertaining to marine mammal sightings including location, sea state, species, size of animal(s), number of animals, behavior, and whether or not a fishery interaction occurred with the animal(s). This information is collected voluntarily from those who observe marine mammals while participating in work or recreational activities in the Alaska marine environment.

Use of the Information: This information is used in assessing the distribution of marine mammals in Alaska.

Method(s) of Information Collection: Paper format and electronic forms submitted via email.

Affected Public: Individuals, Not-for-profit institutions, State, Local, or Tribal government

Estimated Average Annual Number of Participants: 243

Estimated Average Annual Number of Responses per Participant: 3

Estimated Average Minutes per Response: 5

Estimated Average Annual Burden Hours: 61

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

Estimated Average Annual Costs to the Federal Government: $7,500

Estimated Average Annual Number of Federal Government Employees (FTEs): 0.04

Recruitment and Retention Methods for Voluntary Participants (SSA item 1): The biggest recruitment and retention effort is from the NMFS fisheries observer programs, which train observers to use and fill out the form. Other than that, the recruitment efforts are spread verbally on NOAA ships and some contracted NOAA survey missions. In the past, thank you letters have been distributed to various reporting parties to encourage continued submission of marine mammal sighting reports.

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): This CSC project occurs year round and marine mammal sighting forms are always being received and accepted. Once forms are submitted, they are entered into the database. There are currently no completion reports or publications coming from this CSC project.

Display OMB Control No. and Expiration Date (SSA Item 17): Currently, the data collection forms do not display an OMB Control Number or expiration date. The next time forms are printed, we will add that information and, in subsequent printings, we will update that information as needed

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 only document for this project is a marine mammal sighting form (screenshot). We also receive electronic versions in a text-only file from some NOAA ships that have integrated the form into their weather data collection system, but that does not require PRA approval.

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: James Freed