0648-0618 Supporting Statement Part B

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

U.S. Department of Commerce

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

West Coast Groundfish Trawl Economic Data

OMB Control No. 0648-0618

B. 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 government units, households, or persons) in the universe covered by the collection and in the corresponding sample are to be provided in tabular form for the universe as a whole and for each of the strata in the proposed sample. Indicate expected response rates for the collection as a whole. If the collection had been conducted previously, include the actual response rate achieved during the last collection.

The collection is a census survey and will be sent to the entire universe under study. The survey population for 2023 data (to be collected in 2024) consists of 130 catcher vessels, eight catcher-processors, six motherships, 47 first receivers/shorebased processors, and 168 quota owners.

A 100% response rate is expected. Historically, we have maintained a 99-100% response rate for catcher vessels, 100% response rate for catcher-processor and mothership vessels, 94-100% response rate for first receivers/shorebased processors, and 90% for quota owners. A 100% response rate is expected for all surveys, with the exception of cases where a company is no longer in business. In these cases, occasionally responses can still be obtained, but often the data no longer exist or there are no employees to submit the required information.

The lower response rate for first receivers/shorebased processors is the result of companies qualifying for the survey during one time period, but going out of business before the data collection occurs. Similarly, if a quota owner is not renewing their permit in the current period, those companies are not required to submit a form.

Information Collection	Population or Potential Respondents Universe (a)	Expected Response Rate (percent) (b)	Expected Number of Respondents (c) = (a) x (b)
Catcher Vessels	128	99%	127
Catcher-Processors	10	100%	10
Motherships	6	100%	6
First Receiver/Shorebased Processor	48	95%	47
Quota Owners	169	90%	152
Total	361		342

2. Describe the procedures for the collection of information including:

   • Statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection,

There is no stratification or sample selection.

• Estimation procedure,

Missing responses are rare in our program. When they do occur, it is often from a participant with relatively little participation in the relevant fisheries. In the case of missing responses, data are estimated using a combination of data from other sources (fish tickets, observer records, permit records, quota transactions), previous submissions from the same entity, and submissions from similar operations submitted in that year.

• Degree of accuracy needed for the purpose described in the justification,

Neither economic theory nor legislative mandates establish the degree of accuracy needed for the intended uses. All else being equal, we prefer more accurate data; however, since this is a census, rather than a sample, with a nearly 100% response rate, we expect this survey will provide highly accurate data for the intended uses detailed in Part A. Extensive QAQC is conducted on the data submitted, including tests to determine whether the data submitted are consistent with past submissions, consistent within the form data, and consistent with external data (fish tickets, observer data, permit data). If there are questions about the data, the participants are contacted and revised submissions are requested.

• Unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures, and

There are no unusual problems or specialized sampling procedures.

• Any use of periodic (less frequent than annual) data collection cycles to reduce burden.

All of our data collections are conducted on an annual basis.

No change has been made to any procedures or statistical methodology since the last approval of our collection.

3. Describe methods to maximize response rates and to deal with issues of non-response. The accuracy and reliability of information collected must be shown to be adequate for intended uses. For collections based on sampling, a special justification must be provided for any collection that will not yield "reliable" data that can be generalized to the universe studied.

For the catcher vessel, catcher-processor, mothership, and first receivers/shorebased processor surveys, letters are mailed on May 1 with a cover letter explaining the requirement and a blank form, then in August they are mailed a reminder letter. If a form has not been received by 2 weeks after the due date, they are called and sent an additional reminder letter. If forms are still not complete by the permit renewal period (October 1 – November 30) then they receive a letter alerting them that they may be in violation of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The West Coast Region Permits and Monitoring branch will also contact them to let them know that vessel cannot renew their permits until a complete EDC is received. If a permit/license is not being renewed, the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement will work with the participant to have them submit the form. This process is successful at obtaining a very high response rate; historically, the only time the combination of EDC Program/Permits Office/Office of Law Enforcement efforts have been unsuccessful is when a company is no longer in business and so either there is no one to submit the form, or no one has access to the data needed to complete the form.

If there are significant data quality issues that have not been resolved with the participant by November 8th, participants will receive

No Sampling is conducted. All participants in the fishery must submit a form.

4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken. Testing is encouraged as an effective means of refining collections of information to minimize burden and improve utility. Tests must be approved if they call for answers to identical questions from 10 or more respondents. A proposed test or set of tests may be submitted for approval separately or in combination with the main collection of information.

Extensive testing was conducted in the original development of the catcher vessel, mothership, catcher-processor, and first receiver/shorebased processor forms, and any issues related to question clarity have been rectified in the first 11 years the survey has been conducted. The quota share owner survey was not formally tested due to COVID-19, however, the survey was presented at Pacific Fishery Management Council meetings to agency staff and industry members. Prior to fielding the survey, interviews were conducted over the phone and led through the two survey questions to determine whether the instructions were clear and that the participants would be able to answer them. All individuals contacted are part of the population of potential respondents universe described in Question 1. In addition to presentations to Council advisory bodies, seven individuals were contacted directly, representing approximately 25% of the total people covered by the survey.

5. Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on 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.

Todd Lee (retired), Ph.D.Manager, Economic and Social Science Research Program

Northwest Fisheries Science Center

Conducted the original focus groups, community meetings, regulatory deeming committee meetings, as well as meetings with industry associations, future participants, the PFMC, and the PFMC advisory meetings.

Erin Steiner

Economist

Northwest Fisheries Science Center

206-860-3215

Manages the EDC program, including form revisions, data quality checks and contacting participants to correct data, report writing, data analysis, and presentations to PFMC, advisory bodies, and industry.

Carl Lian (deceased), Ph.D.

Economist

Northwest Fisheries Science Center

Contributed to the design of the original forms using experience from previous seven years of conducting the voluntary cost earnings survey.

Jerry Leonard (former employee)

Economist

Conducted the original focus groups, community meetings, regulatory deeming committee meetings, as well as meetings with industry associations, future participants, the PFMC, and the PFMC advisory meetings. Developed business rules for automated quality analysis and quality control of first receiver/shorebased processor EDC data. Supervises the EDC program.

Leif Anderson, Ph.D.

Economist

Northwest Fisheries Science Center

206-302-2403

Participated in original EDC form design, meetings with industry and managers, and fielded the first round of surveys.

Abigail Harley (former employee)

Contractor

Assisted with updates to the forms, communicating with participants, data quality checks and contacting participants to correct data, and report writing, with a specialization in the at-sea processing sector.

Marie Guldin, PhD (former employee)

Assisted with updates to the forms, communicating with participants, data quality checks and contacting participants to correct data, and report writing, with a specialization in the shoreside sector.

Melissa Krigbaum

Contractor

ECS Federal, LLC

206-302-2483

Assists with updates to the forms, communicating with participants, data quality checks and contacting participants to correct data, and report writing, with a specialization in the shoreside sector.

Ashley Vizek (former employee)

Assisted with updates to the forms, communicating with participants, data quality checks and contacting participants to correct data, and report writing, with a specialization in the at-sea processing sector.

Kathryn Connelly

Contractor

ECS Federal, LLC

Conducted testing of Quota Share Owner Survey. Currently runs the Quota Share Owner Survey component of the EDC Program, including communicating with participants, data quality checks and contacting participants to correct data, and report writing.

Amanda Phillips

Natural Resource Management Specialist

Northwest Fisheries Science Center

206-861-1249

Assisted with updates to the forms, communicating with participants, data quality checks and contacting participants to correct data, and report writing, with a specialization in the at-sea processing sector.