0545 ss rev 110106.ss

SUPPORTING STATEMENT
ALASKA ROCKFISH PILOT PROGRAM
OMB CONTROL NO.: 0648-0545

INTRODUCTION
In Section 802 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2004, the U.S. Congress included a
directive to the Secretary of Commerce to establish, in consultation with the North Pacific
Fishery Management Council, a pilot program for management of three rockfish fisheries in the
Central Gulf of Alaska (CGOA) in the Exclusive Economic Zone off the coast of Alaska. The
Rockfish Program provides exclusive harvesting and processing privileges for a specific set of
rockfish species and associated species harvested incidentally to those CGOA rockfish; an area
from 140º W. long. to 168º W. long. Implementing regulations may be found at 50 CFR
part 679 (see attached FR 0648-AT71).
This action is a request for revision of an existing collection. The collection revision is
necessary due to removal of one form, addition of another form, and minor revisions to other
forms. In addition, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) changed the submittal date for
some applications. These changes are in response to: 1) comments received on the proposed rule
71 FR 33040, June 7, 2006 and 2) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
policy clarifying the collection of the social security number under the Debt Collection
Improvement Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-134) (Debt Collection Act).
A.

JUSTIFICATION

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.
NMFS will issue a final rule (RIN 0648-AT71) to implement Amendment 68 to the Fishery
Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP). This rule will implement
statutory provisions for the CGOA Rockfish Pilot Program (hereinafter referred to as the
Program). Changes occur to this collection due to comments NMFS received on the proposed
rule and also changes pertinent to the Debt Collection Act.
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.
a. General changes.
1. NMFS adopted a new term “cooperative quota (CQ),” to replace the term “cooperative
fishing quota (CFQ)” to reduce confusion with an acronym used by the Council in the Gulf of
Alaska (GOA) rationalization program under development.
2. In response to public comment requesting additional time to prepare and submit the
annual application for CQ, the rockfish limited access fishery, entry-level fishery, and opt-out
fishery, NMFS changed the submittal date from December 1 of the year prior to fishing to March
1

1 of the year in which the person intends to fish. This deadline change provides both the time to
gather records and coordinate with other participants in the fishery.
3. In response to recent DOC policy (attached), clarifying collection of the social
security number under the Debt Collection Act, one field, the mandatory social security number
(or tax id number) was added to the quota permit application. Date of birth (or date of
incorporation) is also now required, in conformance with a pending memo from the NMFS
Under Secretary, to assist with identification purposes. Both were added to the limited access
application and the opt out application. Tax ID number was removed from the inter-cooperative
transfer application. The burden estimate for these applications is very liberal, estimated to be 2
hours. Therefore, the addition of three fields of information readily available is not expected to
increase the burden estimate.
b. Rockfish cooperative vessel check -in and check-out.
A new requirement is added to this collection. Instead of requiring a cooperative permit revision
through a lengthy procedure when changes occur in vessels fishing under a CQ permit, NMFS
established a more flexible reporting system that allows a cooperative’s authorized representative
to submit a list of vessels fishing under its CQ permit. The cooperative would submit this list
prior to fishing activity, an action that would “check-in” the cooperative. This would allow the
cooperative to determine how and when vessels will fish under a CQ permit. Authorized
cooperative representatives could “check-in” a vessel when it is fishing under a CQ permit
during the rockfish cooperative fishing year, and “check-out” vessels no longer fishing under its
CQ permit.
Vessel check-in report.
Rockfish cooperatives would need to designate at least one vessel to fish the CQ permit for that
cooperative effective on May 1. The authorized representative must designate any vessel that is
fishing under a CQ permit before that vessel may fish under a CQ permit for that rockfish
cooperative through this check-in procedure. A vessel check-in must be submitted 48 hours
prior to the beginning of a fishing trip by that vessel. A check-in report is effective at the
beginning of the first fishing trip after the designation has been submitted. This advance notice
may take the form of a letter which includes a list of vessels and will provide NMFS time to
adjust catch accounting procedures and accurately monitor catch.
The authorized representative could submit no more check-in reports in a calendar year than an
amount equal to three times the number of License Limitation Program (LLP) licenses that are
assigned to that rockfish cooperative in that calendar year. This limit would reduce the number
of check-in reports and vessels that NMFS must track and reduce the chance that specific
vessel’s catch is misapplied in NMFS’ catch accounting system.
Vessel check-out.
The authorized representative must designate any vessel that is no longer fishing under a CQ
permit for that rockfish cooperative. The authorized representative could submit no more checkout reports in a calendar year than an amount equal to three times the number of LLP licenses
that are assigned to that rockfish cooperative in that calendar year. A vessel checkout must be
2

submitted within 6 hours after the effective date and time of the designation. This will ensure
that catch is properly debited against a CQ account and reduces the risk that a subsequent trip
would be misapplied as occurring under a CQ permit and have to be corrected. This designation
is effective the earlier of:
The end of a complete offload if that vessel is fishing under a CQ permit for a catcher
vessel cooperative; or
The end of the week-ending date as reported in the weekly production report if that vessel
is fishing under a CQ permit for a catcher/processor cooperative; or
The end of a complete offload if that vessel is fishing under a CQ permit for a
catcher/processor cooperative.
The authorized representative of the rockfish cooperative must submit a vessel check-in or
check-out report by one of the following methods:
By mail to: Sustainable Fisheries, P.O. Box 21668 Juneau, AK 99802-1668; or
By fax to: 907-586-7131.
Vessel Check-in/Check-out Report
CQ Permit number
Vessel ADF&G vessel registration number and USCG documentation number
Date and time when check-in or check-out begins
Vessel Check-in/Check-out Report , Respondent
Number of respondents
Total annual responses
Number responses per respondent = 2
Total burden hours
Time per response = 30 min = 30/60 = 0.5
Total personnel cost (20 x 25)
Total miscellaneous costs
Postage cost (0.39 x 20 = 7.80)
Photocopy cost (0.05 x 2 x 40 = 4)
FAX cost ($5 x 20 = 100 )
Vessel check-in/Check-out Report, Federal Government
Total annual responses
Total burden hours (40 x .25)
Time per response = 15/60 min = .25
Total personnel cost (10 x $25)
Total miscellaneous cost

20
40
20 hr
$500
$112

40
10
$250
0

c. Application to Transfer Eligible Rockfish Processor Permit. [Removed]
d. Application to Participate in the Rockfish Pilot Program.
To become an eligible processor or harvester, an eligible harvester or processor must submit an
Application to Participate in the Rockfish Program. Once a person holding a valid fully
transferable LLP license with legal rockfish landings has submitted a complete application that is
approved by NMFS, that person would be an eligible harvester. Once a person with processing
3

history has submitted a complete application that is approved by NMFS, that person would be an
eligible rockfish processor.
The application must be received by NMFS no later than January 2, 2007, or postmarked by that
date (if mailed). The application form is available on the NMFS, Alaska Region website
(http://www.fakr.noaa.gov). Also, interested persons may contact NMFS to request an
application package (telephone: (907) 586-7344). Further, NMFS will mail an application
package to all potentially eligible LLP license holders based on the address on record at the time
the application period opens. An application may be submitted by mail, fax, or hand delivery.
Application to Participate in the Rockfish Pilot Program
Indicate type of eligibility for which you are applying
Block A -- Applicant information.
Applicant’s name, NMFS person ID (if applicable), and tax ID or social security number* (required)
*The Debt Collection Improvement Act, in Section 7701 of title 31, United States Code requires collection of
this information from each person doing business with a federal agency. This information is used for
purposes of collecting and reporting any delinquent amounts arising out of such person’s relationship with
the government.
Permanent business mailing address, business telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address (if available);
Indicate (YES or NO) if the applicant is a U.S. citizen; if YES, provide date of birth
Indicate (YES or NO) if the applicant is a U.S. corporation, partnership, association, or other business
Entity; if YES, provide date of incorporation
Indicate (YES or NO) if the applicant is a successor-in-interest to a deceased individual or to a
non-individual no longer in existence; if YES attach death certificate or evidence of dissolution.
Block B – Agreement with rockfish program official record
Agree. If agree with official rockfish program record summary, sign application
Disagree. If disagree with official rockfish program record summary, complete Block C, or Blocks D
and E, and sign in Block F; attach explanation of disagreement and provide evidence to support claims.
Did not receive an official rockfish program record summary. Complete Block C or Blocks D and E,
and sign in Block F; attach explanation for basis or eligibility
Block C -- Harvester Legal rockfish landings
If claiming Legal Rockfish Landings associated with a groundfish LLP license, and you do not agree with
the official rockfish program record, enter the following information
Original Qualifying Vessel (OQV)
LLP license number
Name of vessel
Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) vessel registration number
United States Coast Guard (USCG) documentation number
Date landings made in 2000 or 2001
All other vessels used under this LLP license
LLP license number
Name(s), ADF&G No., and USCG No. of vessel
Date landings made in 2000 or 2001
Block D – Legal rockfish landings in catcher/processor sector
If claiming Legal Rockfish Landings in the Catcher/Processor Sector and you do not agree with the official
rockfish program record, enter the following information
LLP license number
Catcher/processor name
ADF&G vessel registration number
USCG documentation number
Block E – Processor eligibility
Indicate (YES or NO) whether applicant received not less than 250 metric tons in round weight equivalent of
aggregate Legal Rockfish Landings of Primary Rockfish Species each calendar year in any four of the five
calendar years beginning 1996 through 2000 during the season dates for that Primary Rockfish Species as

4

established in Table 28 to part 679
If YES, enter the following information for each processor where legal rockfish landings were received
Name of receiving processor
ADF&G processor code
Qualifying years/seasons
Name of the community in which the primary species rockfish were processed.
Enter the four calendar years from 1996 through 2000, that applicant wishes NMFS to use to determine
an association with a rockfish cooperative
Attach a copy of the contract showing the legal processing history.
Block F -- Applicant signature and certification.
Signature of applicant and date signed
Printed name of applicant (or authorized representative); if representative, attach authorization
Application to Participate in the Rockfish Pilot Program,
Respondent
Number of respondents
48 catcher vessels
15 catcher/processors
8 shoreside processors and SFPs
Total annual responses
Number responses per respondent = 1
Total burden hours
Time per response = 2 hr
Total personnel cost (142 x 25)
Total miscellaneous costs (269.50)
Postage cost (0.39 x 20 = 7.80)
Photocopy cost (0.05 x 2 x 71 = 7.10)
FAX cost ($5 x 51 = 255)
Application to Participate in the Rockfish Pilot Program,
Federal Government
Total annual responses
Total burden hours (71 x 0.5=35.50)
Time per response = 30/60 min = .5
Total personnel cost (35 x $25)
Total miscellaneous cost

71

71
142
$3550
$270

71
35
875
0

Before fishing begins in January of 2007 or 2008, NMFS requires eligible rockfish harvesters to
declare (file an application) if they are going to participate in a cooperative, limited access
fishery, or opt-out fishery. This declaration helps NMFS decide how to monitor harvests, and
whether there is sufficient catch available in a limited access fishery to allow NMFS to open the
fishery without risk of exceeding the available catch. These declarations are due by March 1 of
the year fishing will occur. These applications apply for one year.
e. Application for Rockfish Cooperative Fishing Quota (CQ).
The Program regulates the formation of cooperatives and the use of the annual catch amount by
the cooperative. In addition to the requirements for the application to join a cooperative, an
eligible rockfish harvester or eligible rockfish processor must meet specific requirements that
differ between the catcher vessel sector and the catcher/processor sector. Each Rockfish
Cooperative must be formed as a partnership, corporation, or other legal business entity that is
registered under the laws of one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia. Each Rockfish
Cooperative must appoint an individual as designated representative to act on the Rockfish
Cooperative’s behalf and serve as contact point for NMFS for questions regarding the operation
5

of the Rockfish Cooperative. The designated representative may be a member of the Rockfish
Cooperative or some other individual authorized by the Rockfish Cooperative to act on its
behalf. A cooperative that submits a complete application that is approved by NMFS will
receive a Rockfish Cooperative permit and annual allocation.
Application for Rockfish Cooperative Fishing Quota (CQ)
Block A – Rockfish Cooperative Identification
Legal name
Type of business entity under which organized
State in which legally registered as a business entity
Date of incorporation
Tax ID number*
*The Debt Collection Improvement Act, in Section 7701 of title 31, United States Code
requires collection of this information from each person doing business with a federal agency.
This information is used for purposes of collecting and reporting any delinquent amounts
arising out of such person’s relationship with the government.
Printed name and signature of designated representative and date signed
Permanent business address, telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address (if available)
Block B – Members of the Rockfish Cooperative
Harvester identification
Full name and NMFS Person ID
LLP license number(s)
Tax ID or social security number*
*The Debt Collection Improvement Act, in Section 7701 of title 31, United States Code requires
collection of this information from each person doing business with a federal agency. This
information is used for purposes of collecting and reporting any delinquent amounts arising out
of such person’s relationship with the government.
Name, ADF&G vessel registration number, and USCG documentation number of vessel on
which CQ issued to rockfish cooperative will be used
LLP Holdership documentation
Names of all persons, to the individual level, holding an ownership interest in the LLP license
Percentage ownership each person and individual holds in the LLP license
Block C -- Processor Associates of the Rockfish Cooperative
Identification
Full name and NMFS Person ID
Tax ID*
*The Debt Collection Improvement Act, in Section 7701 of title 31, United States Code
requires collection of this information from each person doing business with a federal agency.
This information is used for purposes of collecting and reporting any delinquent amounts
arising out of such person’s relationship with the government.
Processing facility name, ADF&G processor code, and Federal Fisheries Permit (FPP) number
Stationary floating processor name, ADF&G processor code, FPP number, and USCG
documentation number
Processor ownership documentation
Names of all persons, to the individual level, holding an ownership interest in the processor
Percentage ownership each person and individual holds in the processor.
Attachments
Attach to the application
A copy of the business license issued by the state in which the Cooperative is registered as a
business entity;
A copy of the articles of incorporation or partnership agreement of the Rockfish Cooperative

6

A copy of the membership agreement signed by the members of the rockfish cooperative
(if different from the articles of incorporation or partnership agreement of the rockfish
cooperative)
Any article of incorporation or agreement submitted by the Rockfish Cooperative must include
terms that specify that:
Eligible processor affiliated harvesters do not participate in price setting negotiations except
as permitted by general antitrust law; and
The Rockfish Cooperative has established a monitoring program sufficient to ensure compliance
with the Rockfish Program.
Block D – Certification of applicant
Signature of applicant and date signed
Printed name of applicant (or authorized representative); if representative, attach authorization
Application for Rockfish Cooperative CQ, Respondent
Number of respondents
Total annual responses (1 response per respondent)
Total burden hours
Time per response = 2 hr
Total personnel cost ($25 x 40)
Total miscellaneous costs
Postage cost (0.39 x 5 = 1.95)
Photocopy cost (0.05 x 2 x 20 = 2)
FAX cost ($5 x 15 = 75)

20
20
40
1000
79

Application for Rockfish Cooperative CQ, Federal Government
Total responses
20
Total burden hours (0.5 x 20 = 2.5)
10
Time per response = 30/60 min = 0.5
Total personnel cost ($25 x 10)
250
Total miscellaneous cost
0

f. Application for rockfish limited access fishery
An eligible rockfish harvester or eligible rockfish processor may fish in the limited access fishery
if that person chooses not, or cannot, participate in a cooperative or the opt-out fishery.
Application for rockfish limited access fishery
Block A -- Applicant information
Applicant’s name and NMFS person ID
Tax ID or social security number*
*The Debt Collection Improvement Act, in Section 7701 of title 31, United States Code requires
collection of this information from each person doing business with a federal agency. This
information is used for purposes of collecting and reporting any delinquent amounts arising out of
such person’s relationship with the government
Permanent business mailing address
Business telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address (if available)
Indicate (YES or NO) if the applicant is a U.S. citizen; if YES, provide date of birth
Indicate (YES or NO) if the applicant is a U.S. corporation, partnership, association, or other business
Entity; if YES, provide date of incorporation
Whether the applicant is an Eligible Rockfish Harvester
Whether the applicant is participating in the Limited Access Fishery
Block B -- Vessel identification
Vessel name
ADF&G vessel registration number, USCG documentation number, and LLP license number(s) held
by the applicant and used on that vessel.

7

Block C – LLP Holdership documentation.
Names of all persons, to the individual level, holding an ownership interest in the LLP license
Percentage ownership each person and individual holds in the LLP license.
Block D -- Applicant certification
Signature of applicant and date signed
Printed name of applicant; if submitted by a representative, attach authorization
Application for Rockfish Limited Access Fishery, Respondent
40
Number of respondents
40
Total annual responses
80
Total annual time burden hours
Time per response = 2 hr
Total personnel cost (80 x $25)
$2000
$181
Total miscellaneous cost
Postage cost (0.39 x 5 = 1.95)
Photocopy cost (0.05 x 2 x 40 = 4 )
FAX cost ($5 x 35 = 175)
Application for Rockfish Limited Access Fishery, Federal
Government
Total annual responses
Total annual time burden hours
Time per response = 30 min/60 = 0.5
Total personnel cost (20 x $25)
Total miscellaneous cost

40
20
500
0

g. Application for Entry-Level Rockfish Fishery.
The entry-level fishery is available for all persons who are not eligible rockfish harvesters or
processors. This fishery is intended to provide opportunities for harvesters and processors who
have not traditionally participated in the CGOA rockfish fisheries. An applicant must be a U.S.
citizen or U.S. corporation, partnership, association, or other business entity to participate as a
harvester.
Application for Entry-Level Rockfish Fishery
Block A -- Applicant Information
Name and NMFS person ID (if applicable)
Tax ID or social security number* (required)
*The Debt Collection Improvement Act, in Section 7701 of title 31, United States Code requires
collection of this information from each person doing business with a federal agency. This
information is used for purposes of collecting and reporting any delinquent amounts arising out of
such person’s relationship with the government.
Permanent business mailing address
Business telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address (if available);
Indicate (YES or NO) whether applicant is a U.S. citizen; If YES, enter date of birth
Indicate (YES or NO) whether applicant is a U.S. corporation, partnership, association, or other business entity;
if YES, enter the date of incorporation;
Block B – Vessel Information
Vessel name
ADF&G vessel registration number and USCG documentation number of the vessel
LLP license number(s) held by the applicant and used on that vessel.
Block C -- Attachments
Attach a statement from an eligible entry level processor that affirms that the processor has
a market for any rockfish delivered by that harvester in the entry-level fishery

8

Block D -- Applicant certification
Signature of applicant and date signed
Printed name of applicant (or authorized representative); if representative, attach authorization
Application for Entry-Level Rockfish Fishery, Respondent
1071
Number of respondents
171 trawl vessels
900 non-trawl vessels
1071
Total annual responses
2142
Total annual time burden hours
Time per response = 2 hr
Total personnel cost to all applicants (2142 x $25)
$53550
$5135
Total miscellaneous cost
Postage cost (0.39 x 71 = 27.69)
Photocopy cost (0.05 x 2 x 1071 =107.10)
FAX cost ($5 x 1000 = 5000)
Application for Entry-Level Rockfish Fishery, Federal
Government
Total responses
Total burden hours (1071 x 0.5)
Time per response = 30/60 = 0.5
Total personnel cost (535 x $25)
Total miscellaneous cost

1071
535
$13375
0

h. Application to Opt-out of Rockfish Fishery.
An eligible rockfish harvester that holds an LLP license with a catch history allocation in the
catcher/processor sector may choose to opt-out of many of the Program restrictions. If an
eligible catcher/processor assigns an LLP license to the opt-out fishery, then that LLP license
may not be used on a vessel that is participating in a cooperative, limited access fishery, or the
entry level fishery.
Application to Opt-out of Rockfish Fishery
Block A -- Applicant information
Name and NMFS person ID
Tax ID or social security number
*The Debt Collection Improvement Act, in Section 7701 of title 31, United States Code requires
collection of this information from each person doing business with a federal agency. This
information is used for purposes of collecting and reporting any delinquent amounts arising out of
such person’s relationship with the government.
Permanent business mailing address
Business telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address (if available)
Indicate (YES or NO) whether applicant is a U.S. citizen; If YES, enter date of birth
Indicate (YES or NO) whether applicant is a U.S. corporation, partnership, association, or other business entity;
if YES, enter the date of incorporation;
Indicate (YES or NO) whether the applicant is an Eligible Rockfish Harvester
Indicate (YES or NO) whether the applicant is opting-out of the Rockfish Pilot Program
Indicate (YES or NO) whether the applicant holds an LLP with a Catch History Allocation assigned
to the catcher/processor sector
Block B -- Vessel information
Name, ADF&G vessel registration number, and USCG documentation number of the vessel
LLP license number(s) held by the applicant and used on that vessel.
Block C – LLP Holdership documentation

9

Names of all persons, to the individual level, holding an ownership interest in the LLP license
Percentage ownership each person and individual holds in the LLP license.
Block D -- Applicant certification
Signature of applicant and date
Printed name of applicant (or authorized representative); if representative, attach authorization
Application to Opt-out of Rockfish Fishery, Respondent
Number of respondents
Total annual responses
Total annual time burden hours
Timer per response = 2 hr
Total personnel cost to all applicants (6 x $25)
Total miscellaneous cost
Postage cost (0.39 x 1 = 0.39)
Photocopy cost (0.05 x 2 x 3 =0.3)
FAX cost ($5 x 2 = 10)

3
3
6
$150
$11

Application to Opt-out of Rockfish Fishery, Federal Government
Total responses
3
Total burden hours
2
Time per response = 0.5 hr
Total personnel cost ($25 x 2)
$50
Total miscellaneous cost
0

i. Application for Inter-Cooperative Transfer of CQ.
Once NMFS issues an annual catch amount to a cooperative it may be fished by members of the
cooperative or transferred to another cooperative. However, a cooperative in the catcher vessel
sector may not transfer an annual catch amount to a cooperative in the catcher/processor sector.
This transfer of an annual catch amount is only valid during the calendar year of the transfer. A
cooperative may only transfer or receive by transfer an annual catch amount if the cooperative
submits an application for inter-cooperative transfer to NMFS.
Application for Inter-Cooperative Transfer of CQ
Block A -- Identification of transferor
Name and NMFS Person ID of cooperative
Name of transferor designated representative
Permanent business mailing address (and temporary mailing address, if appropriate)
Business telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address (if available)
Block B -- Identification of transferee
Name and NMFS Person ID
Name of transferee designated representative
Permanent business mailing address (and temporary mailing address, if appropriate)
Business telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address (if available)
Block C -- Identification of Rockfish Cooperative member
Name and NMFS person ID
Amount of CQ applied
Block D – CQ to be transferred
Identify the type and amount of Primary Species, Secondary Species, or Rockfish Halibut PSC to be transferred
Block E -- Certification of transferor.
Signature of transferor and date signed
Printed name of transferor (or authorized representative); if representative, attach authorization
Printed name and signature of eligible rockfish processor associated with cooperative and date signed
Block F -- Certification of transferee.
Signature of transferee and date signed

10

Printed name of transferee (or authorized representative); if representative, attach authorization
Printed name and signature of eligible rockfish processor associated with cooperative and date signed
Application for Inter-Cooperative Transfer of CQ, Respondent
5
Number of respondents
Total annual responses (3 x 5)
15
3 transfers per coop per season
30
Total annual time burden hours
Time per response = 2 hr
Total personnel cost (30 x $25)
$750
$53
Total miscellaneous cost
Postage cost (0.39 x 5 = 1.95)
Photocopy cost (0.05 x 2 x 15 =1.5)
FAX cost ($5 x 10 = 50)
Application for Inter-Cooperative Transfer of CQ, Federal
Government
Total responses
15
Total burden hours
8
Time per response = 0.5 hr
Total personnel cost (8 x 25)
$200
Total miscellaneous cost
0

It is anticipated that the information collected will be disseminated to the public or used to
support publicly disseminated information. As explained in the preceding paragraphs, the
information gathered has utility. NMFS will retain control over the information and safeguard it
from improper access, modification, and destruction, consistent with NOAA standards for
confidentiality, privacy, and electronic information. See response #10 of this Supporting
Statement for more information on confidentiality and privacy. The information collection is
designed to yield data that meet all applicable information quality guidelines. Prior to
dissemination, the information will be subjected to quality control measures and a predissemination 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.
Applications are “fillable” on the computer screen by participant at the NMFS Alaska Region
Home Page at www.fakr.noaa.gov, then downloaded, printed, and faxed to NMFS. Future plans
include interactive permit applications completed through the Internet.
4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.
None of the information collected as part of this information collection duplicates other
collections. This information collection is part of a specialized and technical program that is not
like any other.
5. If the collection of information involves small businesses or other small entities, describe
the methods used to minimize burden.
The collection-of-information does not impose a significant impact on small entities.

11

6. Describe the consequences to the Federal program or policy activities if the collection is
not conducted or is conducted less frequently.
The intent of this collection is to provide permits for a CGOA Rockfish Pilot Program. Without
the specified permitting scheme described in this Supporting Statement, the program would be
jeopardized. The consequences of not collecting this information would be that NMFS could not
fulfill the intent of the law Section 802 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2004
7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a
manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.
No inconsistencies occur in this collection.
8. Provide a copy of 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.
The NMFS Alaska Region will submit a final rule coincident with this submission.
9. Explain any decisions to provide payments or gifts to respondents, other than
remuneration of contractors or grantees.
No payment or gift will be provided under this program.
10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for
assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
The information collected is confidential under section 303(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (16
U.S.C. 1801 et seq.); and also under NOAA Administrative Order (AO) 216-100, which sets
forth procedures to protect confidentiality of fishery statistics.
This information collection requests the mandatory social security number or Tax ID number.
The Debt Collection Improvement Act, in Section 7701 of title 31, United States Code requires
collection of this information from each person doing business with a federal agency. This
information is used for purposes of collecting and reporting any delinquent amounts arising out
of such person’s relationship with the government.
All information collected is part of a system of records: NOAA #17, notice published March 3,
2005.

12

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.
NA.
12. Provide an estimate in hours of the burden of the collection of information.
Estimated total unique respondents, 1,142. Estimated total annual responses, 1,408 up from
1,369. Estimated total annual burden, 3,285 up from 3,267 hr. Estimated total annual personnel
cost, $82,063 up from $81,600.
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 #12
above).
Estimated annual total miscellaneous costs $5,954, up from $5,829.
14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government.
Estimated total annual burden, 755 up from 746 hr. Estimated total annual personnel cost,
$20,763 up from $20,538. Estimated total annual miscellaneous cost, $0.
15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 13 or
14 of the OMB 83-I.
Due to comments received on the rockfish proposed rule, NMFS made the following changes to
this collection.
•

Removal of Application to transfer processor eligibility. Although processor
eligibility transfers are likely to be necessary should Congress provide additional
authority to NMFS to extend this Program, the Council did not specifically
recommend provisions to allow processors to transfer their eligibility to another
processor. NMFS has deleted the provision concerning the transfer of processor.
This removes one response, two hours and $1 in miscellaneous costs.

•

Addition of a rockfish cooperative vessel check-in/check-out reports for vessels
authorized to fish under a CQ permit. This adds 40 responses, 20 hours and $112.00
in miscellaneous costs.

In addition, a recent DOC memo clarifying the collection of the social security number under the
Debt Collection Improvement Act has caused a mandatory social security number and/or the tax
ID number to be added to the quota permit application. In addition, in conformance with a
pending memo from the NMFS Under Secretary, NMFS Alaska region will require that the date
of birth (or date or incorporation) be requested on permit applications; this information is added
to the limited access application and opt out application.

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Correction of the current miscellaneous cost of $5,829 to $5,841, and a further adjustment of $2
due to postage increase, added $14.
These actions result in a net increase of 39 responses, 18 hours and $125 in miscellaneous costs.
16. For collections whose results will be published, outline the plans for tabulation and
publication.
The information collected will not be published.
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.
In accordance with OMB requirements, the control number and the expiration date of OMB
approval are shown on the forms.
18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in Item 19 of the
OMB 83-I.
No exceptions to the certification statement are requested.

B. COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS
This collection does not employ statistical methods.

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