PRA supporting statement_sea turtle pier survey 6-19-18 Part B_omb_Revised 11-2018_clean

SUPPORTING STATEMENT
Recreational Angler Survey of Sea Turtle Interactions
OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-xxxx

B. COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS

The data will be collated and reviewed, but will be used mainly to increase NOAA’s understanding of sea turtle interactions with recreational anglers and factors surrounding those interactions, not to determine bycatch estimates.

1. Describe (including a numerical estimate) the potential respondent universe and any sampling or other respondent selection method used. Provide data on the number of entities (e.g., establishments, State and local governmental units, households, or persons) in the universe and the corresponding sample 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.

This study design is a non-probability survey that will rely on a convenience sample of respondents. The sample universe will include any recreational angler who uses a shore-based structure or pier for fishing, and who is actively fishing during a survey period at one of our survey sites. The survey will be implemented differently in each state, based on the total number of shore-based fishing structures available and used by the recreational fishing community. It is anticipated that a maximum of 10 sites will be selected in each state where the survey is implemented. Selection will be based on locations where interactions with turtles are known to occur, and where data are not available on interactions. NOAA will review the NOAA Fishing site registry to identify the scope of local angler fishing sites. We will also review existing stranding and incidental capture data for the given state to determine if there are fishing access sites with known sea turtle interactions. Between 2 and 10 sites will be selected for each state where the survey will be implemented. In considering what sites to prioritize, we will evaluate sites based on the following: 1) those with high reporting rates of incidental captures, 2) those with low reporting rates of incidental captures, and 3) those with a higher number of anglers. Of the sites selected per state, at least half will be sites with high known occurrences of sea turtle interactions, when feasible. Pilot surveys similar to the proposed survey were conducted in Mississippi in 2013 and 2016. The response success rate was 86% and 73%, respectively.

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 will be collected via in-person intercept survey of actively fishing anglers. Two survey administrators will be deployed to each survey site, will complete the survey cover sheet, and will proceed to interview the anglers present during the survey period. Surveys will be conducted primarilyduring the months of April through October, both during the week and on weekends.

A maximum of 200 surveys per site will be conducted at a maximum of 10 survey sites in each state (maximum of 5 states). The survey locations will be visited on a rotational basis throughout the survey season. Non-responses will be captured on the Survey Cover sheet and will be considered when evaluating the data. NOAA cannot use the response data to estimate population statistics for all angler-turtle interactions, given the survey method. The survey results will be used to qualitatively inform ESA Section 7 Biological Opinions and to inform species recovery and bycatch reduction management efforts.

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.

The survey will be conducted in person, verbally, and will take less than 10 minutes for each survey, which is anticipated to reduce the nonresponse rate. The number of anglers who decline the survey, and their zip codes, will be recorded and will be accounted for to determine a nonresponse rate. The survey will conclude with information about sea turtles in local waters and fishing practices that can reduce interactions. Cards/flyers/etc. with the local Stranding Hotline number will be distributed and anglers will be asked to report any future incidental captures because medical attention provides the best chance for survival. Outreach notifying the community of the intercept survey will not be conducted since it's not a mail survey and the survey only targets a few locations and a specific audience. Outreach was not conducted prior to the two pilot surveys and had the surveys still had great success.

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.

The survey will not include a specific test, as the intercept survey method has been tested previously by other efforts (APAIS efforts).

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.

First Points of Contact:

Sara Wissmann, NOAA Fisheries, OPR, 301-427-8446, sara.wissmann@noaa.gov

Melissa Cook, NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, 228-549-1628, melissa.cook@noaa.gov.

Additional contacts:

Ellen Keane, NOAA Fisheries, GARFO, 978-282-8476, ellen.keane@noaa.gov

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