Justification - Fishermen for Mahimahi Diet Study

Project Title: Fishermen for Mahimahi Diet Study

Program Office Sponsoring or Conducting this CSC Project: NMFS/PIFSC (primary), NMFS/PIRO (secondary)

Authority for this CSC Project: MSA and CCSA

Purpose of this CSC Project: The scope to which inshore coral reef habitats contribute to the productivity of management unit species (MUS) fisheries remains virtually unknown. We plan to fill that gap by examining the trophic contributions of coral reef fishes (as prey) for the Main Hawaiian Islands essential fish habitat (EFH) MUS species (mahimahi). These data will inform EFH designations for these federally managed species as required by the MSA.

Type(s) of Information Collected and From Whom It Is Collected: Anglers are donating mahimahi stomachs and reporting date caught, depth, fish length, general location, and lure or bait used for each mahimahi from which a stomach is donated.

Use of the Information: We will conduct analyses to compare diet composition among depth ranges and locations in order to provide estimates of assess the trophic contributions of coral reef fishes (as prey) for the Main Hawaiian Islands essential fish habitat (EFH) MUS species (mahimahi), which will be used in informing EFH designations for these federally managed species as required by the MSA.

Method(s) of Information Collection: Paper format, electronically, oral

Affected Public: Individuals (i.e., anglers)

Estimated Average Annual Number of Participants: 30

Estimated Average Annual Number of Responses per Participant: 9

Estimated Average Minutes per Response: 5

Estimated Average Annual Burden Hours: 22

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Participants in this CSC Project (This Includes Start-Up and Miscellaneous Costs Excluding Labor Costs): $0

Estimated Average Annual Costs to the Federal Government: $30,000

Estimated Average Annual Number of Federal Government Employees (FTEs): 0.18

Recruitment and Retention Methods for Voluntary Participants (SSA item 1): Recruitment of volunteers is accomplished by PIFSC and PIRO researchers visiting harbors, engaging in social media connections and word-of-mouth to connect with individual fishers that catch mahi. Recently, PIFSC/PIRO have instituted a punch card rewards program that offers a $50 gift card for every 10 mahi-mahi stomachs donated along with requested catch metadata. This is intended to serve as both a recruitment method to involve more voluntary participantsCovershCovers and a retention method to thank participating volunteers.

Gifts or Payments (SSA Item 9): We are currently offering a punch card rewards program that offers a $50 gift card to a local fishing supply store in return for every 10 mahi-mahi stomachs donated along with accompanying catch metadata. Requested metadata sheet is attached as supplemental.

Annual and Multi-Year Schedules (SSA Item 16): Collecting voluntary donation of stomachs began in 2019 with a basic catch metadata (where/when fish was caught, bait/lure used, size of fish). Collections are planned to continue year-round through at least the end of FY23. The first report and manuscript is under development and should be complete by Q3 FY24.

Display OMB Control No. and Expiration Date (SSA Item 17): This information will be provided on metadata request forms (i.e., tags). Individuals are not asked to sign-up to participate, but submitting a stomach with the metadata tag is considered participation.

Statistical Methods: This CSC project will not employ statistical methods to collect information or extrapolate that information to an entire population. We rely on volunteers to donate stomachs and accept any that are offered.

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

Supplemental Documents: The one supplemental document for this CSC project is the catch metadata form that fishers are asked to complete along with their stomach donation. This is the only information requested from volunteers.

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: Jonathan Whitney