This information collection fulfills
the requirements under section 402(a) of the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Attachment 1- U.S.C. 16
1881a). The shoreside processor reporting requirements to be
implemented through the pilot hagfish information collection
program are intended to improve upon the quality and quantity of
information currently available on the hagfish fishery resource and
its fishery operations. Since there is currently no management
program for this fishery, and consequently no permitting or
reporting requirements, there is considerable uncertainty regarding
the actual level of hagfish landings. Moreover, the level of
discards and discard mortality of hagfish culled at sea in response
to a rejection by the dealer in port is unknown. Specifically, the
information provided by the hagfish information collection program
participants would help National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
and the Council shape future hagfish management measures to reflect
the unique aspects of this fishery and its interaction with other
Federally-managed fisheries.
PL:
Pub.L. 94 - 265 402(a) Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act
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.