0628 SS Part B 022814

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES VOLUNTARY RELEASE REPORTS

OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0628

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.

The estimated annual responses are 13, based on annual average number of submissions from 2011 through 2013. The potential respondent universe is 2,336 based on the average annual number of trips that released shortfin mako sharks from 2011 through 2013 according to recreational data from the Large Pelagics Survey. The average number of shortfin mako shark recreational live releases according to the Large Pelagics Survey Data averaged 3,891 sharks per year. Therefore, the response rate is estimated to be 0.3 percent (13 annual reports / 3,891 annual releases). Actual number of responses from 2011-2013 are listed below.

Affected Public	Number of Responses, 2011-2013
Individuals or Households	21
Business or other For-profit	13
Not-for-profit Institutions	0
Federal Government	4
State, Local, or Tribal Government	0
Total	38

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.

Data is submitted voluntarily through an electronic submission form, and is not representative of all possible results; therefore, a statistical methodology is not needed. A NMFS employee reviews each data submission for quality control purposes to avoid posting duplicate entries or submissions with possible errors. The collection is entirely voluntary, thus the public can choose to reduce the reporting burden by deciding not to participate in this collection.

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.

This collection is voluntary and any data collected would not be representative of all possible results, therefore, there is no method developed to deal with nonresponse. The method used to maximize response rates is an interactive HMS release Web map that the general public can populate through submission of data using an online form. Respondents also receive a certificate of appreciation that highlights all of their reported shortfin mako shark live releases. All data received is reviewed by a NMFS employee to determine if the data are accurate and reliable before being posted on the Web map. All data that are determined to be not accurate and/or reliable would not be used to populate the Web map.

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 under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

No tests were conducted for this collection.

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.

No consultation was done on the statistical design of this collection, because the data collected would not be used as a representation of all possible results. The contact information for the collection and analysis of the information in this collection is as follows:

NMFS Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Management Division (SF1)

1315 East West Highway (SSMC 3)

Silver Spring, MD 20910

POC: Peter Cooper

Phone: 301-427-8503

Email: peter.cooper@noaa.gov

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