0214 ss ren 111406

SUPPORTING STATEMENT
PACIFIC ISLANDS LOGBOOK FAMILY OF FORMS
OMB CONTROL NO.: 0648-0214

INTRODUCTION
This Supporting Statement describes a renewal of the existing information collection under
OMB Control No.: 0648-0214.
A.

JUSTIFICATION

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act)
established regional fishery management councils, including the Western Pacific Fishery
Management Council (WPFMC), to develop fishery management plans (FMPs) for fisheries in
the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). These plans, if approved by the Secretary of
Commerce (Secretary), are implemented by Federal regulations and enforced by the National
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), in cooperation with State
agencies to the extent possible. FMPs regulate fishing to ensure the long-term productivity and
optimum yield of the resources for the benefit of the U.S.
The WPFMC has jurisdiction over fisheries in the Pacific Ocean in Federal waters seaward of
American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (NMI),
and the Pacific Remote Island Areas (PRIA).1 The WPFMC has prepared, and the Secretary has
approved and implemented through regulations, FMPs for crustacean, precious coral, pelagic,
bottomfish/seamount groundfish fisheries, and coral reef ecosystems in the western Pacific. The
regulations include, but are not limited to, permit requirements, gear restrictions, closures,
harvest guidelines, reporting requirements, and protected species mitigation measures. The
reporting requirements are crucial to ensure that the NMFS will be able to monitor the fishery
and that the WPFMC and NMFS have fishery-dependent information to evaluate the
effectiveness of management measures, determine whether changes in fishery management
programs are necessary, and estimate the impacts and implications of alternative management
measures. Information on vessel monitoring system (VMS) units is collected under another
clearance (OMB Control No.: 0648-0441 and 0648-0519). VMS units installed on longline
vessels in the western Pacific send periodic reports to NMFS on the position of the vessels.
NMFS uses the reports to monitor the vessel=s location and activities to enforce area closures.
Under another clearance (OMB Control No.: 0648-0490), information is collected from fishery
participants who obtain fishing permits and experimental fishing permits from NMFS. Permit
information provides a means of assessing the size and characteristics of the fishery and
identifying those who might be affected by management measures. This submission addresses
information needed on actual fishing activities to determine how different participants might be
affected and how stocks and other living marine resources might be affected by changes in
regulations governing the fishery.
1

Howland, Baker, Jarvis, Wake and Palmyra Islands, Johnston Atoll, Midway Atoll, and Kingman Reef.

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Specific reporting requirements for the individual fisheries identified with the relevant section of
50 CFR 665 are as follows:

Pelagic (Longline only)

- Logbooks: catch and effort data and protected species interactions ('665.14)
- Transshipment logbooks ('665.14)
- Dealer records (no form) ('665.14)
- Pre-trip notification (no form) ('665.23(a))
- Observer placement meeting (no form) ('665.28(d))
- Protected species zone entry/exit notification (no form) ('665.23(b))
- Claim for reimbursement for lost fishing time (no form) ('665.28(i))

Pelagic (Troll and
handline)

- Logbooks: catch and effort data and protected species interactions ('665.14(a))

Crustacean

- Logbooks: catch and effort data and protected species interactions ('665.14(a))
- Sales report ('665.14(c))
- Dealer packing/weigh-out slips; records (no form) ('665.14(d); '665.14(f)(2))
- Pre-landing notice (no form) ('665.43(a)(1))
- Pre-offloading notice (no form) ('665.43(a)(2))
- At-sea catch report (no form) ('665.50(c))

Bottomfish/Seamount
Groundfish

- Logbooks: catch and effort data and protected species interactions
('665.14(f)(3))
- Pre-trip notification (no form) ('665.63)
- Pre-landing notification (no form) ('665.63)
- Observer placement meeting (no form) ('665.65(b))

Precious Coral

- Logbooks: catch and effort data ('665.14(a))
- Sales report (in logbook) ('665.14(a))

Experimental Fishing
Permits

- Experimental fishing reports (no form) ('665.17(e)(vi))

As indicated, these data are needed to monitor the fisheries, determine whether the current
management measures are having the intended effects, and evaluate the benefits and costs of
changes in management measures.
Pre-trip notifications are required for the American Samoa longline, Hawaii longline and
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) bottomfish fisheries to determine whether vessels
should be required to carry observers to collect detailed information on the fishery, including
total catch and discards, interactions with protected resources, and biological characteristics of
the catch. Observers are able to collect more detailed information than could be expected of
fishermen. In cases where an observer placement is needed, this collection also provides time
for a pre-trip meeting between the vessel operator and NMFS staff to arrange the observer
placement. This meeting ensures that the vessel operator and the observer have common
information concerning the roles and responsibilities of the operator, crew, and observer during
the trip. Pre-trip notices from vessels may also provide a basis for targeting enforcement efforts
to determine compliance with management measures.
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Logbooks (crustacean, pelagic longline, precious coral, and pelagic troll or handline gear vessels
in the western Pacific) are required to obtain catch and effort information. These data are
especially needed for determining the condition of the stocks. Drastic changes in catch per unit
effort (CPUE) are often indicative of significant shifts in the size and structure of the stock and
suggest that changes in management measures may be appropriate to respond to declines or
increases in stock sizes.
State of Hawaii logbooks provide NWHI bottomfish catch and effort information which is used
by NMFS, among other things, to evaluate and determine the eligibility of vessel owners for
renewal of NWHI bottomfish limited access permits ('665.61). There is currently no Federal
logbook reporting requirement for the NWHI bottomfish fishery because of NMFS reliance on
the State=s reporting requirement. The State=s bottomfish logbook information is also used for
annual reports on the status of the NWHI fishery.
Sales and transshipment reports (crustaceans, precious coral, pelagics) are used to ensure full
reporting of all landings and sales of fish from the management unit. The sales report portion of
the precious corals logbook provides the basis of understanding the economic value associated
with the fishery, which is needed to evaluate the magnitude and distribution of impacts from
changes in management regulations.
Catch, effort, and sales reports from lobster fisheries in the western Pacific are required. Prelanding and pre-offloading notifications would facilitate enforcement of fishery regulations and
sampling of the catch to obtain better information on the species and size composition of the
landings.
The requirement to report lobster traps left at sea is intended to monitor the impacts of and, when
possible, to ensure quick removal of gear that could adversely impact protected Hawaiian monk
seals. Although there have been no reports of monk seals interacting with traps, there is still a
potential for entanglement while seals are foraging for food.
Reports on protected species interactions (pelagics, crustaceans, bottomfish) are required to
ensure that adequate information is collected on any direct impacts of the fishery on the
protected species.
Experimental fishing permits (EFPs) are available to all western Pacific fisheries to potentially
allow fishing using gear, techniques, or strategies that are otherwise prohibited under the
respective fishery management plans. These permits may allow fishermen to experiment with
new gear and techniques that might increase catch per unit effort and reduce the catch of
incidental species. They also allow fishermen to engage in data collection activities during a
closed season in support of NMFS fishery research and management programs or to achieve
other desirable objectives. The FMPs require that there be reports of the results of fishing under
the EFPs so that there will be a basis for determining whether to change the regulations to allow
the new gear or techniques in the fishery. The reports are needed to establish whether the
objectives of granting the EFP were achieved.
In rare situations, a longline or bottomfish vessel operator or owner may incur Alost fishing time@
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due to observer injury or illness. If so, the operator or owner my file a claim for compensation
based on information about average catches per day at sea the previous two years and current
fish prices. While no such claims are expected, the estimate of burdens includes the estimated
paperwork associated with one claim per year as a Aworst case@ scenario.
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.
On a broad level, the reporting requirements provide the information needed by NMFS to
regulate and monitor the fisheries managed under the FMPs and to evaluate the effectiveness of
management by assessing the status of stocks and the status of the fisheries. The information
provides a basis for determining whether changes in management are needed to sustain the
productivity of the stocks or to address economic problems in the fishery. The information is
also used to provide the basis for evaluating the magnitude and distribution of impacts resulting
from changes to the regulations. Without the information, the WPFMC and NMFS would be
unable to determine whether management is achieving the objectives of the FMPs and
preventing overfishing, the principal requirement of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
Information from mandated logbooks, sales reports, and, if necessary, packing/weigh-out slips, is
used to determine specific changes in fishery patterns, such as seasonal shifts and areas which
are more important that others to the stocks or to the fishermen. Information from the logbooks,
as well as ancillary dealer records, is used by enforcement agents of NMFS, State, and USCG to
monitor compliance with fishing regulations and reporting requirements. Information from pretrip reports is used by NMFS to determine whether to place observers on selected vessels to
obtain detailed information on fishing practices (including interactions with protected species)
and the characteristics of the catch.
NMFS observer placement meetings ensure that there is common understanding of the roles and
responsibilities of the vessel operator, crew, and observer during a trip. Information from prelanding reports is used by NMFS to monitor compliance with the fishery regulations. Other
users and uses of information under this collection include required documentation submitted by
longline vessel operators or owners to receive compensation from NMFS for lost fishing time
due to serious injury or illness of a NMFS observer and allowing NMFS to monitor for potential
adverse impacts to protected species and the ecosystem.
Reports provided by fishermen as required under the experimental fishing program allow NMFS
to use and disseminate the results of prohibited fishing activities which, when conducted under
the NMFS-specified controlled conditions, can yield much needed information on the resources
and fisheries.
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
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applicable information quality guidelines. Although the information collected is not expected to
be disseminated directly to the public, results may be used in scientific, management, technical,
or general informational publications. Should NMFS decide to disseminate the information, it
will be subject to the quality control measures and pre-dissemination review pursuant to Section
515 of Public Law 106-554, as well as laws and policies controlling distribution of fisheries
information.
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.
NMFS and the WPFMC are continuing to investigate information technology advances that
would simplify the collection and reduce the burden. For example, reporting of catch and effort
data electronically in association with vessel monitoring system (VMS) units is already being
done on a limited basis. None of the collection elements that comprise this overall proposal is
difficult or burdensome, and the specifications for electronic reporting are being refined to
provide a strong basis for its adoption by all participants in fisheries managed by NMFS in the
western Pacific. Logbook data are currently entered daily on forms provided by NMFS to
prevent data quality problems from faulty recall. Pre-trip notifications are easily made by
telephone, fax, or email, as are pre-landing/off-loading notifications.
4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.
NMFS carefully considered whether there were collections by other Federal agencies or state or
territorial agencies that might meet the information needs presented above. It was concluded that
no other collections, besides the requested collecting information, would meet these reporting
requirements.
5. If the collection of information involves small businesses or other small entities, describe
the methods used to minimize burden.
All of the vessels in the federally-managed fisheries in the western Pacific region are small
business entities of similar sizes and are affected comparably. No special measures are needed to
accommodate different sized businesses.
6. Describe the consequences to the Federal program or policy activities if the collection is
not conducted or is conducted less frequently.
Without this collection or if it is conducted less frequently, NMFS and the WPFMC will be
unable to make management decisions effectively and in a timely manner. In turn, the long-term
economic and biological health of the fisheries may be compromised.
7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a
manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.
This collection is consistent with OMB guidelines, except that the frequency of the collections
exceed the minimum quarterly reporting schedule and in most cases the collections require a
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response time of less than 30 days. The reporting frequency and response time for fisherydependent data vary with specific reporting requirements. Daily logbooks were deemed most
appropriate for detailed catch and effort data needed to assess the status of the stocks and the
impacts of the fishery on the stocks, as well as the impact of regulations on the fisheries.
Telephone notifications before and after the trips for selected fisheries are required on a trip-bytrip basis to ensure the ability to place observers on a sound basis and to enhance compliance
monitoring. EFP reports would be on an event basis. Transshipment reports would be required
only for days when such activity occurs. Collecting data less frequently would diminish NMFS=
and the WPFMC=s ability to make timely management decisions.
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.
Public comment has been solicited on this renewal collection to OMB Control No.: 0648-0214 in
a Federal Register Notice published March 30, 2006 (71 FR 16121). No comments were
received in regards to this collection.
9. Explain any decisions to provide payments or gifts to respondents, other than
remuneration of contractors or grantees.
No payments or gifts are involved in this collection.
10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for
assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
Under Section 402(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and NOAA Administrative Order 216-100,
information submitted in accordance with regulatory requirements under the Act is confidential.
This includes personal and propriety information contained in the logbooks.
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.
12. Provide an estimate in hours of the burden of the collection of information.
There are currently 220 respondents in the collection. The estimated total number of burden
hours was revised to 2,436. The estimated number of responses per year is 45,330, for logbooks,
protected species interaction reports, sales and transshipment reports, reports of gear left at sea,
lost fishing time reports, observer placement meetings, area closure request forms, experimental
fishing reports, and pre-trip and post-landing notifications.
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Estimate of logbook and reporting burden minutes/hours
Number of
Trips/Reports

Min. per Report

Burden
hours/minutes

23,000
22,000
130
10
0
0
1
2

5
1
60
5
5
1
240
5

1,917 hours
367 hours
130 hours
50 minutes
0
0
4 hours
10 minutes

75
40
40
8

5
1
1
60

6 hours
40 minutes
40 minutes
8 hours

5
5

5
5

25 minutes
25 minutes

WP daily lobster catch report
WP lobster sales report
Dealer packing/weight slips
Pre-landing notification
Pre-offloading notification
At-sea catch report
Report of gear left at sea
Experimental Fishing Permits

7
7
0
0
0
0
0
0

5
5
3
3
3
3
5
240

35 minutes
35 minutes
0
0
0
0
0
0

Totals

45,330

Pelagic:
WP daily longline logbook
Pre-trip notification
Observer placement meeting
WP longline transshipment log
Dealer record
Protected species zone notification
Claim for reimbursement
WP-PRIA troll and handline log

Bottomfish/Seamount Groundfish:
WP daily bottomfish log
Pre-trip notification
Pre-offloading notification
Observer placement meeting

Precious Coral:
WP precious coral harvest log
WP precious coral sales log

Crustacean:

2,436 hours

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).
There is no Astart up@ capital cost for complying with this requirement. The annual total cost to
respondents is estimated at $1,048, which includes pre-trip notification telephone calls ($675)
and miscellaneous postage and telephone calls ($373). VMS costs included in the last renewal
submission were eliminated from the total annual cost to respondents because this equipment
was purchased by NMFS and because ongoing VMS requirements are covered under OMB
Control No.: 0648-0441 and 0648-0519, as stated earlier.
14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government.
The estimated annual cost to the Federal government to administer this collection of information
is $2,820. This includes the cost for printing daily catch and effort log forms at $1,680 per year,
which is calculated by the cost of staff time for receiving and transmitting the report forms to
appropriate NMFS personnel for analysis (84 hours x $20/hr); and the cost to administer the pretrip notifications at $1,140 (76 hours x $15/hr).
15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 13 or
14 of the OMB 83-I.

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Adjustments were made both in hours and costs:
Due to some burden duplication with OMB Control No.: 0648-0441 and 0648-0519, 390 hours
were subtracted from this collection. However, more detailed description of remaining burden by
each information collection, response time required, and number of responses for each, 336
hours were added. Thus, there is a net decrease of 54 hours.
As stated in #13, VMS costs of $3,352 included in the last submission were eliminated from the
total annual cost to respondents because this equipment was purchased by NMFS, and the
ongoing costs are covered in OMB Control No.: 0648-0441 and 0648-0519.
16. For collections whose results will be published, outline the plans for tabulation and
publication.
No formal scientific publications based on these collections are planned at this time. The data
will be used for fisheries management and protected species reports, FMP amendments, and
evaluations by NMFS and the WPFMC. However, subsequent use of the data collected over a
series of years may include scientific papers and publications.
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.
The expiration date will be shown on the report forms used under this collection.
18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in Item 19 of the
OMB 83-I.
There are no exceptions.

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

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