NOAA has established large
irregularly-based rockfish conservation areas off the coasts of
Washington, Oregon, and California. In order to allow fishing in or
near these areas that does not threaten the conservation
objectives, NOAA needs methods to effectively enforce restrictions
on the location of fishing and the gear used. NOAA is proposing
that certain vessels be required to install a vessel monitoring
system that automatically gives hourly position reports. Inactive
vessels or vessels fishing outside the monitored area can request
an exemption from the automatic reporting requirement.
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.