NOAA is instituting a program to
reduce excess fishing capacity by paying fishermen to (1) surrender
their fishing permits or (2) both surrender their permits and
either scrap their vessels or restrict vessel titles to prevent
fishing. Buybacks can be funded by a Federal loan to the industry
or by direct Federal or other funding. Depending upon the type of
buyback involved, the program can entail the submission of buyback
request by industry, the submission of bids, referenda of fishery
participants, and buyer reporting of the collection of fees to
repay any Federal loan.
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:
(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;
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.