Under Amendment 18A to the Fishsery
Management Plan for Reef Fish Fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico,
owners of vesels with valid permits will be required to install
vessel monitoring systems (VMS) on their vessels. VMS units
automaticallyu send periodic reports on the position of the vessel.
NMFS uses the reports to monitor the vesels's location and
activities while enforcing area closures. Additionally, the
Southeast Region Permits Division is modifyuing its permit renewal
process to include yearly renewals, a new application process, and
a enw income qualification affidavit form for those fisheries
requiring income .............
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.