Marine Recreational Fishing Expenditure Survey (MRFE)

OMB Control No: 0648-0693	ICR Reference No: 202410-0648-018
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202006-0648-004
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Marine Recreational Fishing Expenditure Survey (MRFE)
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 11/07/2024

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	12/31/2024
Responses	28,106	28,474
Time Burden (Hours)	3,160	3,215
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

---

Abstract: This request is for a revision and extension. The revision consists of updating the demographic questions to adhere to the new OMB approved demographic questions under the Statistical Policy Directive on 3/29/24 and updating sample sizes and burden hours based on recent fishing license data. Marine recreational fishing is a popular pastime across the United States (U.S.) that generates economic activity and benefits to local communities, state economies, and to the nation. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is required to provide economic data and analysis on recreational fishing for use in fisheries management. The purpose of this data collection is to gather information on marine recreational anglers’ expenditures on fishing trips and durable goods related to fishing. These data are used in fisheries management analyses by state fisheries agencies, regional fishery management councils, and NMFS to understand the economic effects of fisheries regulations and policies. The survey will target marine recreational anglers in all coastal states. As the survey is conducted across all coastal states and specifically targets marine recreational fishing, the benefits are that it can provide comparable data across states and at a national level and is easily available to federal and state agencies who need timely economic information on marine recreational fishing. Results of the survey are also used in NMFS economic reports, by other NOAA and Department of Commerce offices, by academic researchers, and a wide variety of other groups and constituents interested in marine recreational fisheries.

---

Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 16 USC 1801 et seq. Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

---

Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

---

Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	89 FR 61097	07/30/2024
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	89 FR 88237	11/07/2024
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

---

Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 6

IC Title Form No. Form Name Durable Goods Expenditures N/A, N/A Durable Goods Expenditure Survey_Alaska ,   HMS Durable Goods Survey HMS Trip Expenditures N/A Marine Recreational Fishing Expenditure Survey Highly Migratory Species Hawaii Charter Trip Expenditures N/A Hawaii Marine Recreational Fishing Expenditure Survey Hawaii Combined Trip Expenditures / Durable Goods Survey N/A Hawaii Goods Expenditure Survey Trip Expenditures - Intercept N/A Trip Expenditure Intercept form Trip Expenditures - Web / Mail N/A, N/A California Marine Recreational Fishng Expenditure Survey ,   Louisiana Marine Recreational Fishing Expenditure Survey

---

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	28,106	28,474	0	0	-368	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	3,160	3,215	0	0	-55	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: There were minor adjustments in burden hours because of updated estimates of the number of respondents. There were minor updates to the average estimated time to complete the survey based on the most recent survey results. The previous revision was for 3,215 burden hours, this revision is for 3,160 burden hours, a decrease of 55 burden hours.

---

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $255,391

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? Yes Part B of Supporting Statement

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

Agency Contact: Sabrina Lovell 301 427-8153

---

Common Form ICR:  No

---

On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
		(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
		(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
		(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
		(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
		(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
		(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
		(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
			(i) Why the information is being collected;
			(ii) Use of information;
			(iii) Burden estimate;
			(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
			(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
			(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
		(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
		(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
		(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Certification Date: 11/07/2024

---