0543 SS 091712 Part B rev

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

GULF OF MEXICO ELECTRONIC LOGBOOK

OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0543

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 governmental units, households, or persons) in the universe and the corresponding sample are to be provided in tabular form. The tabulation must also include expected response rates for the collection as a whole. If the collection has been conducted before, provide the actual response rate achieved.

For the first three years, a random sample of 10% (250) of the then 2,500 federally permitted vessels was chosen using the permits database. In the next three years, we doubled the random sample to 500. One hundred vessels will be added in 2012 for a total of 600, out of 1,563 vessels. Since the selected vessels are required to have the ELBs installed, the response rate is 100%.

2. Describe the procedures for the collection, including: the statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection; the estimation procedure; the degree of accuracy needed for the purpose described in the justification; any unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures; and any use of periodic (less frequent than annual) data collection cycles to reduce burden.

For the current sample, the vessel landings from the two previous years were averaged, giving twice as much weight to the most recent year as to the previous year.  Vessels were assigned to one of nine geographic regions, based on the region where they landed the most times during the most recent year.  The proportion of each region’s landings by permitted vessels to the total landings by permitted vessels was used to assign the number of samples to be drawn randomly from each region.  For any region that had over five samples, the vessels were further stratified by freezer and ice boats, based on the proportion of landings by each in the region.  This led to a total of 14 geographic/vessel type strata.  Weighted landings for each vessel were used to influence the selections.

Data is collected continuously, but with no burden to the respondents other than the removal and re-installation of the ELB every 2-3 months.

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

As this collection is mandatory, and passive once the ELB is installed, there is no nonresponse. The stratified random sampling method is expected to yield generalizable data.

4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken. Tests are encouraged as effective means to refine collections, but if ten or more test respondents are involved OMB must give prior approval.

No additional tests will be conducted.

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

Dr. James Nance, NMFS Southeast Region Science Center, Galveston Lab (409) 766-3507 will analyze the data and provides consultation on the statistical aspects of the design.

The data are collected by NMFS contract personnel, who change according to the re-solicitation for these services.