The National Marine Fisheries Service
(NOAA Fisheries Service) would require that operators of fishing
tournaments involving Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS)
provide advance identification of the tournament (registration) and
then, for selected tournaments, provide summary information after
the tournament is completed (reporting) on the HMS caught, whether
they were kept or released, the length and weight of the fish, and
other information. Most of the data required for post-tournament
reporting is already collected in the routine course of tournament
operations. The data collected is needed by NOAA Fisheries Service
to estimate the total annual catch of these species, to evaluate
the impact of tournament fishing in relation to other types of
fishing, and to evaluate the impact of HMS management measures on
tournament operations. This request is to require summary reports
for all registered HMS species tournaments,adding 81 non-billfish
tournaments and 27 hours, to support improved data quality,
specifically of recreational fishing information, per a new
Magnuson-Stevens directive.
PL:
Pub.L. 94 - 265 401 Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act as amended in 2006
The burden will increase by 81
responses and 27 hours, due to requiring summary reports on all
Highly Migratory Species tournaments registering with NMFS, rather
than only billfish and a small percentage of others. The previous
cost was $153 (showing up in ROCIS as zero, due to rounding off in
the transfer of the collection to ROCIS). Although more responses
will be submitted, about 50% are submitting electronically.
However, for those mailing responses, postage has increased since
the last ICR was submitted. The net decrease, then, is $61.
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.