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SUPPORTING STATEMENT
HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL: PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE AND OPINION SURVEY
OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-XXXX

A.

JUSTIFICATION

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.
This request is for a new information collection.
The purpose of this data collection is to research target audiences’ knowledge, attitudes, beliefs,
values and behaviors regarding the endangered Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi)
(subsequently referred to as monk seal). The surveys developed to assess these areas include
questions on general knowledge about monk seals, personal behavior when encountering monk
seals, opinions on management of human-seal interactions, and thoughts on educational
outreach. The data will be used to develop an education and outreach plan aimed at minimizing
negative human-seal interactions. It will also be used, in conjunction with other information, to
develop and assess management strategies for dealing with human-seal interactions. Target
audiences for this survey include those members of the public likely to encounter monk seals in
the wild. Target audiences include but are not limited to fishers, surfers, beach goers, divers,
operators and patrons of commercial water sports tours, and hotel managers or owners operating
in areas of high monk seal activity. The information gathered by this survey is critical because as
the human population of the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) increases, the probability of humanseal interactions may also increase.
Over the last 50 years, the Hawaiian monk seal population has declined by more than 60%. The
monk seal population is currently declining at a rate of 4% annually and is estimated at fewer
than 1,200 individuals. Survival rates of monk seal pups have dropped from 80-90% in the 1970s
to lower than 15% today.
The Hawaiian monk seal was listed as an endangered species pursuant to the Endangered Species
Act (ESA) on November 23, 1976 (41 FR 51611). Monk seals are also protected under the
Marine Mammal Protection Act and Hawaii State laws. The United States (U.S.) Fish and
Wildlife Service has assigned the monk seal a recovery priority number of one (high), based on
the high magnitude of threats, the high recovery potential, and the potential for economic
conflicts while implementing recovery actions.
Section 4(f) of the ESA directs the responsible agency, in this case the National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), to develop and implement a recovery plan for endangered species. The most
recent Recovery Plan for the Hawaiian Monk Seal (2007) includes a number of actions focused
on education and outreach. This information collection will facilitate effective implementation of
those actions.
Human-seal interactions can have negative results for both the human and the seal. Some of the
main threats to seals directly related to human activity are: entanglement in fishing nets and other
marine debris; fishing hooks becoming lodged in their mouths or throats; and general disturbance
by people. Monk seals are very sensitive to human contact. They have been known to avoid
1

beaches for breeding where people have disturbed them. While it is uncommon, a few humanseal encounters have resulted in humans being injured.
In order to effectively develop education and outreach campaigns aimed at minimizing harmful
human interactions with monk seals in the wild, NFMS recognizes that more information is
needed about people’s knowledge and opinions regarding monk seals and current management
strategies. An effective way to collect this information is by directly asking user groups and
target audiences about their knowledge and opinions and how that information was acquired.
This can be accomplished through surveys administered in locations where these groups work or
recreate. This project will assist NFMS in gathering information about the target audiences,
measuring the effectiveness of existing outreach strategies, and determining more effective
management and outreach strategies to minimize negative human-seal interactions.
2. Explain how, by whom, how frequently, and for what purpose the information will be
used. If the information collected will be disseminated to the public or used to support
information that will be disseminated to the public, then explain how the collection
complies with all applicable Information Quality Guidelines.
The collection effort consists of five separate surveys: 1) survey for individuals: tourists, and
local residents, including fisher people, 2) short survey for fishermen, 3) short survey for all
other individuals, 4) survey for commercial tour boat operators and 5) survey for lodging
operators.
Surveys will be administered to both tourists and local residents on five of the MHI: Hawai‘i,
O‘ahu, Maui, Moloka‘i and Kaua‘i. The questions on each survey are similar in nature but
directed at different target audiences and will be administered in different ways. Three surveys
will be administered to individuals using the intercept method. Intercept surveys will be
conducted at beaches and popular fishing areas near known monk seal haul out, pupping, and
molting locations, at marinas and local fishing tournaments. Potential respondents will be asked
if they are willing to complete the survey in writing, which consists of 62 questions. If they
decline, they will be asked if they are willing to take a couple of minutes to answer “just a few
questions” about monk seals. If the potential respondent agrees, they will be asked one
qualifying question to determine if they fish regularly in Hawai‘i. Based on the response to that
question, one of the two short surveys will be administered in a one-on-one interview. The short
versions of the survey consist of approximately 20 questions drawn from the longer version. One
of the short versions of the survey is intended to capture the knowledge and opinions of fisher
people, an important target audience. The other short version will be administered to all other
participants. Two other versions of the survey will be distributed by mail to commercial tour boat
operators and lodging operators in areas of known monk seal activity. The surveys for the
commercial boat and lodging operators are essentially the same survey, with some very minor
wording changes specific to each industry.
The intercept surveys will be administered to randomly chosen people, both tourists and local
residents. Surveys will be conducted at different locations at different times of the day and on
different days of the week to ensure a variety of respondents are captured. Surveys will be
conducted at several areas on each of the five islands. The locations will be chosen in
coordination with the NMFS monk seal recovery team, based on the amount of monk seal
activity and locations of frequent human-seal interactions.
2

The mail surveys will be administered to randomly chosen members of two specific groups.
Captains of boats conducting commercial sightseeing, fishing, diving and other water sport tours
that leave from the main harbors on five of the MHI will be randomly selected for participation.
The harbors chosen are Honokohau (Hawai‘i), Ala Moana (O‘ahu), Waianae (O‘ahu), Lahaina
(Maui), Maalaea (Maui), Kaunakakai (Moloka‘i), Port Allen (Kaua‘i) and Nawiliwili (Kaua‘i).
Lodging operators located in areas of known monk seal activity on five of the MHI will be
randomly chosen for participation and will receive a survey that is nearly identical to the one for
commercial boat operators except for some minor wording adjustments. Surveys administered to
commercial tour operators and lodging operators are aimed at determining the knowledge and
opinions of the operators, as well as the amount and type of information they are conveying to
clients.
In order to obtain a high response rate, a number of different techniques will be used, including
short survey length, visually appealing questionnaires, providing a pre-addressed stamped
envelope and follow-up with people who have not responded. These methods are described in
more detail in Part B, Question 3.
The information collected will be used to develop an education and outreach plan aimed at
minimizing negative human-seal interactions and to develop and assess management strategies
for dealing with human-seal interactions. Survey results will help determine target groups for
education and outreach, which activities education and outreach should focus on, the content of
the education and outreach messages, and new or suggested changes to management strategies.
Justifications for questions on each survey follow.
Survey for Individuals (Intercept Method)
Q1-3: Identifies if the respondents have ever seen a monk seal in the wild (Q1) and if so how
many times in the past five years (Q2) and in what setting (Q3). This question is aimed at
determining any experience that the respondent has with monk seals in the wild and helps
provide baseline information about the level of human-seal interaction.
Q4: Asks the respondents to identify their level of knowledge of Hawaiian monk seals. This
question is aimed at determining how much knowledge respondents have about monk seals and
helps provide baseline information for analysis of other questions.
Q5: Asks the respondents if they think monk seals are native to the Hawaiian Islands. This
question is being asked because some people in Hawai‘i have stated that they believe monk seals
are not native to the Hawaiian Islands. The results will be used to determine if this information
should be included in educational and outreach messages.
Q6: Asks the respondents if they believe the population of monk seals in increasing or
decreasing over the past twenty years. This question is being asked to determine what proportion
of respondents realizes that the species is in decline.
Q7-8: Identifies if, prior to this survey, respondents were aware of any of the legal protection in
place for the Hawaiian monk seal (Q7) and at what level they believe the monk seal is protected
3

under current regulations (Q8). Responses will be used to direct educational and outreach
messages.
Q9: Asks the respondents if they agree or disagree with the following statement: Protection of
the Hawaiian monk seal is NOT very important because there are many types of seals
throughout the world. This question helps identify at what level respondents are concerned with
the protection of this individual species.
Q10: Asks the respondents if they agree or disagree with the following statement: I believe that
in general Hawai‘i’s native marine life is declining. This question helps identify respondents
level of knowledge and perception about the status of Hawai‘i’s native marine life in order to
contextualize the questions about the status of monk seals, a specific native marine mammal that
is declining.
Q11-13: This series of questions asks: if respondents are familiar with the ESA (Q11), if they
were aware of the possible penalties (Q12) and if violations are regularly enforced (Q13). This
series of questions is intended to identify respondents’ knowledge specifically about existing
protections and associated violations and penalties. Responses will be used to direct educational
and outreach messages.
Q14: Asks the respondents to identify which types of behavior they believe constitute
harassment of monk seals. This question is intended to gauge the level of knowledge about this
issue. Responses will be used to direct education and outreach messages.
Q15-17: This series of questions is aimed at capturing the respondents’ opinion on human-seal
interactions. Identify if the respondent knows it is illegal to harass monk seals (Q15). Identify if
the respondent believes interaction with monk seals in the water is dangerous (Q16). Identify if
the respondent believes that it is dangerous for people to approach monk seals on land (Q17).
Responses will be used to direct education and outreach messages.
Q18-19: These questions ask: if the respondent would be likely to report a monk seal sighting
(Q18) and if they know who to report it to (Q19). Responses will be used to direct education and
outreach messages.
Q20: Asks respondents’ opinion on if dog-seal interactions are dangerous. Responses will be
used to direct education and outreach messages.
Q21-22: These questions are aimed at identifying the respondents’ potential behaviors when
encountering monk seals in the wild. Respondents are asked what they think they would do if
they encountered a monk seal in the water (Q21) and what they think they would do if they
encountered a live monk seal tangled in a net (Q22). Responses will be used to direct education
and outreach messages.
Q23-Q30: This series of questions is directed at people who fish regularly. Respondents are
asked if they or any members of their household regularly engage in fishing (Q23). If the answer
is “no”, they are directed to skip these questions and continue to Q31. This series of questions is
4

intended to gauge the attitudes and opinions of fisher people so the result may be used to direct
educational and outreach messages to that specific target audience.
Q24: The respondents are asked the reasons why they or members of their household engage in
fishing. This question helps provide baseline information for analysis of the other questions in
the survey.
Q25-Q26: The respondents are asked if they believe that if monk seals are present in an area
where they are fishing, less fish are caught (Q25) and if they feel that if the number of monk
seals increases, they would catch less fish (Q26). These two questions are directed at gauging
fisher people’s beliefs about resource competition between monk seals and fisher people.
Q27-Q29: The respondents are asked how they would likely respond if they were fishing and a
monk seal became hooked on the line (Q27), if they would be willing to use hooks without barbs
(Q28) and if they believe using hooks without barbs would affect fish catch (Q29). Responses
will help identify some of the actions fisher people are willing to take to protect monk seals as
correlated with potential impacts on their catches. Responses will be used to evaluate if the
current outreach campaigns have been successful and to direct education and outreach messages.
Q30-Q32: The respondents are asked if they would be willing to obtain a yearly license for
marine recreational fishing (Q30). Currently a fishing license is not required for recreational salt
water fishing in state waters. Q30 is directed at people who fish regularly. The respondents are
asked if they believe it is necessary to regulate recreational line fishing in the MHI to reduce or
prevent monk seals from becoming hooked (Q31). They are asked if they would support or
oppose a restriction requiring lay gill nets* in the MHI to be attended at all times (Q32). This
series of questions is directed at gauging opinions on regulation of fishing as it relates to
protection of monk seals.
Q33-36: Asks the respondents if certain human activities should be prohibited in the presence of
monk seals (Q33) and if so, to identify which ones (Q34). Asks the respondents if they agree
with the current policy of closing a portion of the beach surrounding monk seals when they are
present (Q35). Asks the respondents if they think closing small sections of beach to human
activity during the height of birthing season in areas that are heavily used by mother monk seals
for birthing is appropriate (Q36). This series of questions is directed at identifying opinions on
restricting human activity around monk seals. Responses will be used to direct education and
outreach messages and inform management strategies.
Q37: Asks the respondents if they would consider it a hardship if small areas of beaches they
frequent were blocked off from human activity during periods of the monk seal birthing season.
This question is directed at determining if attitudes about restricting human activity change when
the respondent knows they would be directly affected. Responses will be used to direct education
and outreach messages and inform management strategies.

*Lay gill nets are fishing nets that are set in one location and are usually not actively attended. In Hawai'i lay gill
nets can only be left in place for four hours total and may not be left unattended for more than 30 minutes at a time.

5

Q38: Asks the respondents to identify which outreach tool(s) provided any knowledge they have
about what to do when encountering monk seals. An extensive list is provided to help respondent
recall. Responses to this question will help determine which tools have been particularly
effective in providing the desired outreach message(s).
Q39-41: Asks the respondents to provide their personal opinions on the effectiveness of various
educations and outreach methods. The respondent is asked to rate each of the 11 general outreach
tools as “not at all effective”, “somewhat effective”, or “very effective” (Q39). A “not sure”
category is also provided. Common methods of outreach (e.g., brochures, signs) are provided as
well as innovative techniques, such as using social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter). These
innovative techniques were included because although they are relatively new, they have the
potential to reach a large number of people for little to no cost. The respondents are asked to rate
how likely they are to read informational signs or pamphlets placed in each of nine different
locations (Q40). They are given a choice to rate each location as “not at all likely”, “somewhat
likely”, or “very likely”. A “doesn’t apply to me” category is also provided. The respondent is
provided an opportunity to suggest any other methods to inform and educate people on monk
seal conservation (Q41). This series of questions is directed at determining the most effective
methods of implementing education and outreach.
Q42: Two representative signs are displayed. The respondents are asked if either of the two signs
placed near a monk seal would convince them not to disturb the seal. If they answer “yes” or
“not sure”, they are asked to identify which sign would work best, or which sign they prefer.
They are also given the choice to reply that both signs would be equally effective. Responses
will be used to direct education and outreach.
Q43-45: Asks the respondents if they would be likely to participate in volunteer activities that
may benefit monk seals. Responses will be used to make decisions on the promotion of volunteer
opportunities, and possible development of new ones.
Q46- 62: Demographic questions that will be used to help make general conclusions about the
survey participants.
Q46: This question is to determine if the respondent is a full-time or part-year resident of the
Hawai‘i, or a first-time or repeat visitor to the area.
Q47-51: To aid in categorizing their visits, respondents are asked: the length of the visit (Q 47),
the reason for the trip (Q 48) and the type of lodging they stayed in during their visit (Q 49), the
number of people they are traveling with (Q 50) how many times they have visited Hawai‘i (Q
51).
Q52-54: Asks the respondents a series of questions to gain information on what type of water
activities they will or may engage in while in Hawai‘i. Responses will assist in identifying
potential target audiences and avenues for distributing education and outreach messages.
Q55: Asks the respondents to identify memberships in recreation-based or conservation-based
organizations. Responses may help identify the potential for other avenues for distributing
education and outreach messages.
6

Q56: Respondents who are year-round or part-year residents are asked whether they own a boat
or jet-skis. Those who take out their own vessels on a regular basis and do not know about safe
practices, may engage in behavior harmful to monk seals, suggesting the importance of targeting
outreach activities for this group.
Q57-61: Demographic and socioeconomic questions. The questions were written to mirror those
of the U.S. Census to the highest extent possible. The demographic and socioeconomic
information collections include: zip code/country of residence (Q 57), sex (Q 58), race (Q59),
ethnicity (60), employment status (Q 61) and level of education (Q 62).
The respondent is thanked for taking the time to participate and given space to provide any
additional comments.
Short Interview Survey for Individuals and Fisher People (Intercept Method)
All of the questions included in the two short versions of the survey were drawn from the survey
for individuals described above. The questions for the short survey for individuals were selected
from each topic area; general knowledge about monk seals, personal behavior when
encountering monk seals, opinions on management of human-seal interactions, thoughts on
educational outreach and demographic information. The questions for the short survey for fisher
people were also selected from each of those topic areas, but the survey includes all of the
questions related to fishing from the survey for individuals (long version). The justifications for
the questions are as described above.
Survey for Commercial Tour and Lodging Operators (Distributed by Mail)
Q1-3: Identifies if clients have reported observing monk seal in the wild (Q1) and if so how
many times in the past year (Q2) and in what setting (Q3). This question is aimed at determining
any experience that the respondent has with monk seals in the wild and helps provide baseline
information about the level of human-seal interaction.
Q4: Asks if operators make a point of locating monk seals for clients to view. This question is
directed at determining if owner/operators directly seek out monk seals for clients. Responses
will be used to provide baseline information about the potential visibility of monk seals as
directed by commercial operators and information on how to direct educational and outreach
messages.
Q5- 6: Asks the respondents if they discuss information about monk seals with their clients (Q5)
and to identify their level of knowledge of Hawaiian monk seals (Q6). These questions are aimed
at determining how much knowledge operators have about monk seals and if they are
disseminating that to their clients. Reponses will help provide baseline information for analysis
of other questions.
Q7: Asks the respondents if they think monk seals are native to the Hawaiian Islands. This
question is being asked because some people in Hawai‘i have stated that they believe monk seals
are not native to the Hawaiian Islands. The results will be used to determine if this information
should be included in any educational and outreach messages.
7

Q8: Asks the respondents if they believe the population of monk seals in increasing or
decreasing over the past twenty years. This question is being asked to determine what proportion
of respondents realizes that the species is in decline.
Q9-10: Identifies if, prior to this survey, the respondents were aware of any of the legal
protection in place for the Hawaiian monk seal (Q9) and at what level they believe the monk seal
is protected under current regulations (Q10). Responses will be used to direct educational and
outreach messages.
Q11: Asks the respondents if they agree or disagree with the following statement: Protection of
the Hawaiian monk seal is NOT very important because there are many types of seals
throughout the world. This question helps identify at what level respondent is concerned with the
protection of this individual species.
Q12: Asks the respondent if they agree or disagree with the following statement: I believe that in
general Hawai‘i’s native marine life is declining. This question helps identify the respondent’s
level of knowledge and perception about the status of Hawai‘i’s native marine life in order to
contextualize the questions about the status of monk seals, a specific native marine mammal that
is declining.
Q13-15: This series of questions asks: if the respondents are familiar with the ESA (Q13), if they
were aware of the possible penalties (Q14) and if violations are regularly enforced (Q15). This
series of questions is intended to identify respondent knowledge specifically about existing
protections and associated violations and penalties. Responses will be used to direct educational
and outreach messages.
Q16: Asks the respondents to identify which types of behavior they believe constitute
harassment of wildlife. This question is intended to gauge the level of knowledge about this
issue. Responses will be used to direct education and outreach messages.
Q17-19: This series of questions is aimed at capturing the respondents’ opinion on human-seal
interactions: to determine whether the respondent has knowledge about the potential legality of
harassment of monk seals (Q17), determine if the respondent believes interaction with monk
seals in the water is dangerous (Q18), determine if the respondent believes that it is dangerous
for people to approach monk seals on land (Q19). Responses will be used to help determine if the
current outreach campaigns have been successful and to direct education and outreach messages.
Q20-21: These questions ask if the respondent would be likely to report a monk seal sighting
(Q20) and if they know whom to report it to (Q21). Responses will help determine if the current
outreach campaigns have been successful.
Q22-24: The respondent is asked if clients on their tours ever encounter monk seals while doing
activities in the water (Q22). The respondent is asked if clients do encounter monk seals in the
water, how often it happens (Q23). The respondent is asked if he/she gives clients any instruction
on what to do if they encounter monk seals either in the water or on the beach (Q24). This series
of questions is aimed at providing baseline information about the amount of interaction between
tour clients and monk seals and the degree to which they are informed by tour operators.
Responses will be used to direct educational and outreach messages.
8

Q25: Respondents are asked what they would suggest if a client reported encountering a live
monk seal tangled in a net (Q25). Responses will be used to help identify if the current outreach
campaigns have been successful and to direct education and outreach messages.
Q26: Respondents are asked if clients engage in fishing. This question is aimed at providing
baseline information about the clients of the commercial operator. Results will be used to direct
educational and outreach messages.
Q27-Q28: Respondents are asked if they believe that if monk seals are present in an area where
clients are fishing, less fish are caught (Q27) and if they feel that if the number of monk seals
increases, clients would catch less fish (Q28). These two questions are directed at gauging fisher
people’s beliefs about resource competition between monk seals and fisher people.
Q29-Q31: Respondents are asked how they would likely respond if clients were fishing and a
monk seal became hooked on the line (Q29). Respondents are asked if they would be willing to
provide hooks without barbs to clients (Q30) and if they believe using hooks without barbs
would affect fish catch (Q31). Responses will help identify some of the actions people are
willing to take to protect monk seals as correlated with potential impacts on their catches.
Responses will be used to evaluate if the current outreach campaigns have been successful and to
direct education and outreach messages.
Q32: The respondent is asked if they believe it is necessary to regulate recreational line fishing in
the MHI to reduce or prevent monk seals from becoming hooked (Q32). This question is directed
at gauging opinions on regulation of fishing as it relates to protection of monk seals.
Q33-36: Asks the respondents if certain human activities should be prohibited in the presence of
monk seals (Q33) and if so, to identify which ones (Q34). Asks the respondents if they agree
with the current policy of closing a portion of the beach surrounding monk seals when they are
present (Q35). Asks the respondents if they think closing small sections of beach to human
activity during the height of birthing season in areas that are heavily used by mother monk seals
for birthing is appropriate (Q36). This series of questions is directed at identifying opinions on
restricting human activity around monk seals. Responses will be used to direct education and
outreach messages and inform management strategies.
Q37: Asks the respondents if they would consider it a hardship if small areas of beaches they
frequent were blocked off from human activity during periods of the monk seal birthing season.
This question is directed at determining if attitudes about restricting human activity change when
the respondent knows they would be directly affected. Responses will be used to direct education
and outreach messages and inform management strategies.
Q38: Asks the respondents to identify which outreach tool(s) provided any knowledge they have
about what to do when encountering monk seals. An extensive list is provided to help respondent
recall. This will help determine if a specific tool has been particularly effective in providing the
desired outreach message(s).
Q39-40: Asks the respondent to provide their personal opinion on the effectiveness of various
outreach methods for conveying monk seal conservation issues to clients. The respondent is
9

asked to rate each of the five outreach tools as “not at all effective”, “somewhat effective”, or
“very effective” (Q39). A “not sure” category is also provided. Common methods of outreach
(e.g., brochures, signs) are provided to rank their effectiveness, as well as innovative techniques,
such as using social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter). These innovative techniques were included
because although they are relatively new, they have the potential to reach a large number of
people for little to no cost. The respondent is provided an opportunity to suggest any other
methods to inform and educate people on monk seal conservation (Q40). This series of questions
is directed at determining the most effective methods of implementing education and outreach.
Q41: Two representative signs are displayed. The respondent is asked if either of the two signs
placed near a monk seal would be likely to convince clients not to disturb the seal. If the
respondents answer “yes” or “not sure”, they are asked to identify which sign would work best,
or which sign they prefer. Respondent is also given the choice to reply that both signs would be
equally effective. Responses will be used to direct education and outreach.
Q42: This question is intended to determine if the respondent would be likely to display
educational materials. Responses will be used to make decisions on the development and
promotion of educational materials.
Q43: This question is intended to determine if the respondent would be likely to participate in
educational workshops. Responses will be used to make decisions on the development and
promotion of educational opportunities.
Q44: Asks the respondents their level of interest in participating in volunteer activities that may
benefit monk seals. Responses will be used to make decisions on the promotion and expansion of
existing volunteer opportunities, and possible development of new ones.
Q45- 47: Demographic questions that will be used to help make general conclusions about the
survey participants and their clients. Only a few demographic questions are included as these
surveys are aimed at identifying what information commercial tour and lodging operators may be
conveying to clients.
Q45: This question is to determine if the majority of clients of the respondent are a full-time or
part-year resident of Hawai‘i, or if they are visitors.
Q46: The respondent is asked this question to gain information on what type of water activities
clients engage in while in Hawai‘i. Responses will be used to identify the potential target
audiences and avenues for distributing education and outreach messages.
Q47: Asks the respondent their highest level of education.
Respondent is thanked for taking the time to participate and given space to provide any
additional comments.
It is anticipated that the information collected will be used to support publically disseminated
information. The results of the collection will be made available to the public in statistical
aggregate form, upon request. All personally identifying data will be protected and will not be
released to the public. NMFS will retain control over the information and safeguard it from
10

improper access, modification and destruction, consistent with NOAA standards for
confidentiality, privacy, and electronic information. See the response to Question 10 for
additional information about confidentiality. This information collection is designed to meet all
applicable information quality guidelines. Prior to dissemination, the information will be
subjected to quality control measures and a pre-disseminated review pursuant to Section 515 of
Public Law 106-554.
3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological techniques or other forms of
information technology.
This collection effort will use a minimum amount of information technology. Surveys will be
distributed by mail or in-person. The survey will not be available on the internet. Responses will
be collected either in-person or by mail, fax and email. Follow-up for s will be done via mail.
4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.
This survey collection is the first one through NMFS to gather information on people’s
knowledge and opinions about monk seals. An extensive literature search and inquiries with
other agencies was completed in order to identify any duplication of this effort; none were found.
This information is not available through other means.
5. If the collection of information involves small businesses or other small entities,
describe the methods used to minimize burden.
This survey will have a negligible impact to small businesses. The survey targets user groups
who may potentially come in contact with monk seals in the wild, as well as operators of
businesses that may convey information about monk seals to the target user groups. The
administration of the survey to operators of businesses will be conducted via mail and
participants will be able to complete the survey at their convenience. The survey is estimated to
take 15 - 20 minutes to complete and return. Participants returning the survey by mail will be
provided pre-addressed stamped envelopes. The survey requires a one-time completion.
6. Describe the consequences to the Federal program or policy activities if the collection is
not conducted or is conducted less frequently.
If the information collection is not conducted through this survey, NMFS’ ability to develop
more effective education and outreach tools targeting appropriate users groups will be reduced.
This effort supports the Recovery Plan for the Hawaiian Monk Seal (2007) by contributing to the
development of education and outreach tools and the development and assessment of
management strategies that are an integral part of the plan actions.
7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a
manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.
Not applicable.

11

8. Provide information on the PRA Federal Register Notice that solicited public comments
on the information collection prior to this submission. Summarize the public comments
received in response to that notice and describe the actions taken by the agency in response
to those comments. Describe the efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to
obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of
instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data
elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.
A Federal Register Notice soliciting public comments was published on January 26, 2010 (75 FR
4042). During the public comment period, one set of comments was received from Western
Pacific Regional Management Council. The comments were considered carefully and the
majority have been incorporated into the survey instrument and methodology. The comments
and corresponding responses are detailed in Table 1.
Table 1: Summary of Comments and Responses
Comment
Response
I. Survey Instrument does not Adequately Assess
Public Attitudes about Hawaiian Monk Seals
This comment stated that the current draft of the survey
instrument includes a variety of questions regarding the
respondents’ knowledge, experience, and behavioral
intentions, as well as some questions regarding the
respondents’ beliefs toward monk seals. However, the
survey does not adequately assess respondent attitudes
toward monk seals, and thus the results will lack
practical utility in developing an outreach plan and
future management strategies.
II. Survey Methodology does not Allow
Representative Sampling of the Target Audience
This comment stated that the proposed method of data
collection appears to target the tourism industry and
visitors more broadly than local residents and fishers.
Such an approach would be appropriate if the survey is
conducted solely for the purpose of informing an
education and outreach plan, but is not appropriate if
results from the survey are to be used to inform future
management strategies. If survey results are to inform
management strategies, then the survey should attempt
to obtain a representative sample of Hawaii residents
instead of focusing on those who are likely to interact
with monk seals to improve the practical utility of the
survey results.

Both relevant literature and researchers continue to be
consulted on the content and methodology of
administering the survey instrument. The changes made
to the survey instrument should address the concerns
expressed in this comment.

Intercept surveys are intended to capture both local
residents and tourists. The number of surveys
conducted at area beaches and other shore areas will
likely account for the highest proportion of intercept
surveys. The majority of locations where intercept
surveys will be conducted are areas not frequented by
tourists. The agency is confident that the selected
locations will allow a significant number of local
residents to be surveyed.
The main intent of gathering the information is not to
inform future management strategies but rather to
develop education and outreach campaigns. However,
the information will be available to be utilized in
conjunction other knowledge to aid in the
development and assessment of management
strategies regarding human-seal interactions.
Because the main goal of the information collection is to
develop education and outreach tools, this collection is
focused on identifying prevalent attitudes and opinions
that may shape behaviors. Descriptive statistics will be
used to quantitatively summarize the data collected, but
the results will not be used to provide inferences about
the entire population within a certain confidence level.
For example, the information collection is not intended

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III. Scope of the Survey Does Not Adequately
Address a Major Concern in Human-Seal
Interactions
This comment addressed fisher people’s interactions
with monk seals. The comment recommended including
a few more questions related to interactions between
fisher people and monk seals, specifically to assess
attitudes on resource competition.
IV. Current Survey Design and Methodology Create
Large Response Burdens and Negatively Impacts
Response Rates
This comment addressed the anticipated response rate
and the length of the survey instrument. The comment
expressed concern that an 80% response rate would be
difficult to obtain due to the length of the survey, the
format, and asking the other people accompanying
potential respondents to wait while one person
completes the survey.

to give the ability to draw a conclusion that 95% of all
recreational fishers have a certain opinion, but rather to
determine what the prevalent opinions among
recreational fishers are.
Two questions regarding resource competition have
been added to the survey. A few other questions related
to fisher people’s interactions with monk seals have
been modified to address this valid concern.

The 80% response rate is expected based on using the
Dillman Tailored Design Method (2009) for mailing
surveys as well as several techniques that will be used
for conducting the intercept survey. All of these
techniques have been shown to improve response rates
for surveys.
1) Surveys will be available for return by mail, but
administrators will spend enough time at each
location for respondents to complete the survey at
their leisure and return it.
2) The draft survey does not represent the final layout.
The final layout will be in booklet form and the
questions presented in a more user friendly format.
3) The current version of the survey has taken test
subjects 10 – 15 minutes to complete. This is well
within the acceptable limit that is discussed in the
literature for obtaining a high response rate.
4) The method used for intercept surveys allows the
potential respondent to decline. If the potential
respondent declines they will be asked if they are
willing to take a couple of minutes to answer “just a
few questions”. If the respondent agrees the
questions will be administered in a one on one
interview. The approximately 20 questions, taken
directly from the more detailed survey, took
respondents approximately three to four minutes to
answer in a test interview. In order to capture
opinions of different target populations when using
the shorter surveys, the respondent will be asked if
they fish regularly in Hawai‘i. If the respondent is a
fisher person, they will be asked one set of
questions from the more detailed survey. If they do
not fish regularly they will be asked another set of
questions from the more detailed survey.
The majority of respondents will have time to complete
the survey without creating an inconvenience to others
in their party. Respondents intercepted at beach and
shore areas will have an opportunity to go to their
location, complete the survey, and return it to the
administrator when they are finished. Most of the areas
where surveys will be conducted are small enough that
the administrator can go and collect any unreturned
surveys before departing the area. At fishing

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V. Survey does not Follow Commonly Accepted
Standards of Social Science Questionnaire Design
This comment recommended a number of ways to
improve response rates and reduce response burden.
VI. Conclusion
This comment recommended improving the survey
methodology and design as suggested to: enhance the
quality of data, reduce response burden and increase the
practical utility of the information to be gathered.
Appendix 1 contained suggestions for changes to be
made to specific questions.
Appendix 2 was a copy of the draft survey with various
small changes made throughout using track changes.

tournaments, where intercept surveys will also be
conducted, there is a period of time between when the
allotted time for fishing ends and the winners and
various prizes are announced. This period of time will be
utilized to administer surveys to a group of respondents
that can complete them all at the same time.
The detailed comments on the survey instrument were
quite helpful in addressing a number of the concerns
listed. The vast majority of the detailed comments have
been incorporated into the survey instrument as
suggested.
The thorough review of the survey instrument and
methods of collection is appreciated. Gathering
information from a number of different target audiences
is challenging while trying to keep the length
manageable. The vast majority of the detailed comments
have been incorporated into the survey instrument as
suggested.
All suggested changes were valuable and all except two
have been incorporated into the survey instrument.
Nearly all of the suggested changes were valuable and
have been incorporated into the survey instrument.

9. Explain any decisions to provide payments or gifts to respondents, other than
remuneration of contractors or grantees.
No payments or gifts will be given to respondents.
10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for
assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
All data will be protected and will not be released for public use except in aggregate statistical
form (and without providing and personally identifying characteristics). In the cover letter
accompanying each mailing, respondents will be told that their name and address information
will be kept separate from their responses and that only their responses will be listed in any
reports compiled. In addition, because individuals that are contacted using the intercept method
will not be receiving a cover letter, the initial page of the survey will contain the following
statement:
Your participation in this survey is voluntary. Any material that might identify you will be
destroyed at the end of the study.
Following the completion of the data collection, any information identifying individuals (e.g.,
name and addresses) will be deleted and not included in any reports or data files.
11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual
behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered
private.
No questions of a sensitive nature are asked in either survey.

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12. Provide an estimate in hours of the burden of the collection of information.
The estimated total number of respondents for this survey is approximately 500. Respondents
will number approximately 420 (out of 525 approached) from the intercept method used to
survey individuals in person and approximately 80 (out of 100 approached) from the mail
surveys sent to commercial tour and lodging operators.
The estimated burden for the one-time response is 20 minutes per respondent, which accounts for
the respondent’s time to answer and submit the survey (it is estimated that it will take the
respondent 10-15 minutes to complete the survey and another 5 to mail it in the provided preaddressed stamped envelope or return it in person to the administrator). This estimate would
generate a maximum total of 167 hours for this collection, if all participants complete the long
versions of the survey. The collection will take place over a period of nine weeks.
13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to the respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection (excluding the value of the burden hours in Question
12 above).
No additional cost burden will be imposed on respondents aside from the burden hours indicated
in the response to Question 12.
14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government.
Annual cost to the Federal government is approximately $95,094: $94,374 in contract award
money and $720 in NMFS staff time. Contractor services include survey creation,
implementation and analysis.
15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments.
This is a new collection.
16. For collections whose results will be published, outline the plans for tabulation and
publication.
The information gained through the surveys will be used internally by NMFS personnel. Results
from this survey will primarily be used in the development of education and outreach plans
aimed at minimizing negative human-seal interactions as well as the development of
management strategies for dealing with human-seal interactions. Results of the data collected in
the survey will be tabulated and presented in a summary form report using descriptive statistics
(means, variances and frequencies) to NMFS employees. The report is not expected to receive
outside peer review however, internal reviews will be done. It is not anticipated that results will
be published or used for anything other than internal reports or to inform management decisions,
however, the results will be made available to the public in statistical aggregate form, upon
request.

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17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the
information collection, explain the reasons why display would be inappropriate.
Not applicable.
18. Explain each exception to the certification statement.
Not applicable.

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