NMFS Alaska Region Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Program

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
NMFS Alaska Region Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Program Form and Instruction	Modified
0445 change request 101008.doc Justification for No Material/Nonsubstantive Change	2008-10-12

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
4528	NMFS Alaska Region Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Program Form and Instruction	Modified
44331	VMS Malfunction Notification	Unchanged

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 0648-0445	ICR Reference No: 200810-0648-004
Status: Historical Inactive	Previous ICR Reference No: 200607-0648-012
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: NMFS Alaska Region Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Program
Type of Information Collection: No material or nonsubstantive change to a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Improperly submitted and continue	Conclusion Date: 11/19/2008
	Date Received in OIRA: 10/17/2008
Terms of Clearance: If the agency is requesting a change associated with a proposed rule, it may only submit a complete ICR, because approval of a request with "No material or nonsubstantive change to a currently approved collection" takes immediate effect. The agency may resubmit this request at the time of final rulemaking.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	11/30/2009	11/30/2009	11/30/2009
Responses	10,656,132	0	10,656,132
Time Burden (Hours)	23,837	0	23,837
Cost Burden (Dollars)	1,278,774	0	1,278,774

---

Abstract: NMFS Alaska Region requires use of the VMS when fishing under certain conditions in the following fisheries: Atka Mackerel, Pollock, Pacific Cod, BSAI Crab, essential fish habitat (EFH) and habitat areas of particular concern (HAPC) in the Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska. The VMS transmitter automatically determines the vessel’s position several times per hour using a Global Positioning System satellite. A communications service provider receives the transmission and relays it to NOAA Fisheries Office for Enforcement. The VMS transmitters are designed to be tamper-resistant and automatic. In most cases, the vessel owner is unaware of exactly when the unit is transmitting and is unable to alter the signal or the time of transmission. The VMS unit is passive and automatic, requiring no reporting effort of the vessel operator. This request is for removal of 12 lingcod fishermen using dinglebar gear from the VMS requirement in the Alaska EEZ.

---

Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 94 - 265 303 Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

---

Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

---

Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	71 FR 25149	04/28/2006
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	71 FR 44611	08/07/2006
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

---

Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 2

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
NMFS Alaska Region Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Program	NA	VMS check-in report
VMS Malfunction Notification

---

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Reduction Due to: Changing Regulations

Short Statement: There was a decrease in response and related burden and cost for automatic VMS reporting, due to removal of the VMS for 12 vessels in the Alaska EEZ. Note: Burden (but not cost) for automatic VMS responses will be eliminated in the next complete request for this IC; at this time, NOAA is only decreasing the responses proportionally to the last number of responses approved (before OMB clarified that automatic VMS responses should not be counted).

---

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $87,000

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

---

Common Form ICR:  No

---

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:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(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;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

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.

Certification Date: 10/17/2008

---