0205 ss rev 043008 rev

SUPPORTING STATEMENT
SOUTHEAST REGION PERMIT FAMILY OF FORMS
OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0205

A.

JUSTIFICATION

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.
The need to collect percentage of ownership in a corporation from permit holders is necessary
information for the red snapper Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program. The IFQ program has
a cap on share percent ownership of six percent. Without the ability to track corporate
shareholder information, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine
Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries Service) will be unable to enforce this share ownership cap.
Additionally, crew size is being collected to better understand the nature of the fishery and the
number of participants who are not permit holders.
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.
These two questions (percentage of ownership of a corporation and number of crew) will be
included on the permit forms sent out for renewal. This information will be used to track
corporate ownership in order to be sure the IFQ share ownership cap is not violated. Only
appropriate NOAA Fisheries Service personnel will have access to this information.
Note: It is also necessary to continue collecting the Tax Identification Number information on the
permit renewal form, for support of the cost recovery requirement in the Southeast Region Gulf
of Mexico Red Snapper IFQ Program, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Control No.
0648-0551. Collection of the TIN is necessary to ensure that we are collecting from the person
who owes the debt. If the fee submission and payment are not received, the agency must begin
collection processes and those collection processes cannot be initiated or accomplished without
the TIN. Because the TIN in this instance is collected for NOAA Fisheries Service cost recovery,
there is demonstrable practical utility. In addition, cost recovery is mandated by the MagnusonStevens Act (16 U.S.C. 1853 et seq.) as amended in 2006, and the collection of TIN in such an
instance is supported by 31 U.S.C. Section 7701). This is the only method we have for
identifying TIN for those involved, or who may become involved, in the IFQ program.
NOAA Fisheries Service retains control over the information and safeguards it from improper
access, modification, and destruction, consistent with NOAA standards for confidentiality,
privacy, and electronic information. 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 measure and a pre-dissemination review pursuant to Section 515
of the Public Law 106-554.

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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.
Regarding the permitting data collection, the Southeast Region's Web site allows the public to
obtain a copy of the permit application, which can be downloaded and filled out electronically,
and then printed. Otherwise, the Southeast Region currently has no resource or technological
capability for electronic (i.e., Web site) permit application and issuance. This capability cannot
be accomplished in the Southeast Region without significant changes to the permit issuance
criteria and our permit issuance processes. These changes have been initiated, in that the
Southeast Region Permits Team may be switching from a non-Web database (Rbase) to a Webbased database (Oracle) in the future. The Southeast Region also has initiated clearance of a
survey of permitted vessel owners to determine the feasibility of Web site application and
associated costs/benefits. The survey results will be used to evaluate the feasibility of electronic
permit transactions for possible inclusion in future permitting system changes and
resource/technology allocations. Such changes could support NOAA=s proposed initiative for
One-Stop Shopping (to improve customer service through coordination of NOAA consultation
and permitting activities).
4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.
The Magnuson-Stevens Act's operational guidelines require each Fishery Management Plan
(FMP) to evaluate existing state and federal laws that govern the fisheries in question, and the
findings are made part of each FMP. Each Fishery Management Council membership is
comprised of state and federal officials responsible for resource management in their area. These
two circumstances identify other collections that may be gathering the same or similar
information. In addition, each FMP undergoes extensive public comment periods where
potential applicants review the proposed permit application requirements. Therefore, NOAA
Fisheries Service is confident it is aware of similar collections if they exist. The other
information proposed to be collected is not being collected elsewhere; therefore, this data
collection would not cause duplication.
5. If the collection of information involves small businesses or other small entities, describe
the methods used to minimize burden.
Because all applicants are considered small businesses or small entities, separate requirements
based on size of business have not been developed. Only the minimum data to meet the current
and future needs of NOAA Fisheries Service's fisheries management are requested from the
vessel owners.
6. Describe the consequences to the Federal program or policy activities if the collection is
not conducted or is conducted less frequently.
A major component of fisheries management in the Region is the permit system and the
information collected by these permits. If the percent ownership in a corporation is not collected
NOAA Fisheries Service will have no means to track the share cap in the IFQ program. The
crew size will allow social scientists to better understand the workings of fishing communities.

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7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a
manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.
There are no special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a manner
inconsistent with OMB guidelines.
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.
A Federal Register notice published on February 14, 2008 (73 FR 8649) solicited comments on
this request; no comments were received. Tracking of corporate shareholder information was
also addressed in Final Rule, Regulation Identifier Number (RIN): 0648-AS67 (71 FR 67447),
published in the Federal Register on November 22, 2006.
9. Explain any decisions to provide payments or gifts to respondents, other than
remuneration of contractors or grantees.
There are no payments or other remunerations to respondents.
10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for
assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
All data submitted under the proposed collection will be handled as confidential material in
accordance with Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSFCMA), 16
U.S.C. 1881a, Section 402b, and NOAA Administrative Order 216-100, Protection of
Confidential Fishery Statistics.
A Privacy Act System of Records Notice, COMMERCE/NOAA-19, Permits and Registrations
for United States Federally Regulated Fisheries, was published in the Federal Register on
April 17, 2008. If no comments need to be addressed, it is expected that this System of Records
will be effective by the end of May 2008.
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 is no change in the hours of burden. The total hours are 15,671.

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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 change in the cost. The total cost is $650,978.
14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government.
There is no cost.
15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 13 or
14 of the OMB 83-I.
There are no changes.
16. For collections whose results will be published, outline the plans for tabulation and
publication.
These results 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.
The OMB Control Number and expiration date will be displayed where appropriate.
18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in Item 19 of the
OMB 83-I.
There are no exemptions to the certification statement identified in Item 19 of OMB 83-I.

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

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