0514 ss rev resub 100809

SUPPORTING STATEMENT
ALASKA REGION BSAI CRAB PERMITS
OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0514

INTRODUCTION
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act)
authorizes the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) to prepare and amend
fishery management plans for any fishery in waters under its jurisdiction. National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS) manages the crab fisheries in the waters off the coast of Alaska under
the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs
(FMP). Regulations implementing the FMP appear at 50 CFR part 680. Regulations at 50 CFR
part 679 and subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 also pertain.
This collection-of-information is revised by incorporating online transfers of quota for
individuals, processors, and cooperatives, specifically: 1) transfer of IFQ between cooperatives,
2) transfer of IFQ and 3) transfer of IPQ. In addition, the Application for Transfer of Crab Quota
Share/Individual Fishing Quota (QS/IFQ) or Processor Quota Shares/Individual Processing
Quota (PQS/IPQ is removed and replaced by three separate applications, because each of the
quota type transfers is submitted differently and contains different information.
The Crab Rationalization Program (CR Program) allocates Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area (BSAI) crab resources among harvesters, processors, and coastal
communities. The Program is a limited access system that balances the interests of several
groups who depend on these fisheries. The CR Program addresses conservation and
management issues associated with the previous derby fishery, reduces bycatch and associated
discard mortality, and increases the safety of crab fishermen by ending the race for fish.
Share allocations to harvesters and processors, together with incentives to participate in fishery
cooperatives, increases efficiencies, provides economic stability, and facilitates compensated
reduction of excess capacities in the harvesting and processing sectors. Community interests are
protected by Western Alaska Community Development Quota allocations and regional landing
and processing requirements, as well as by several community protection measures.
The CR Program components include quota share (QS) allocation, processor quota share (PQS)
allocation, individual fishing quota (IFQ) and individual processing quota (IPQ) issuance, quota
transfers, use caps, crab harvesting cooperatives, protections for Gulf of Alaska groundfish
fisheries, arbitration system, monitoring, economic data collection, and cost recovery fee
collection.
A.

JUSTIFICATION

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.
NMFS provides cooperatives and processors with an option to accomplish quota transfers
through automated, online submittals. NMFS removes the requirement for notarized signatures
for all crab leases of IFQ and IPQ. Permanent transfers of QS and PQS still require the signed
notarized copies.
1

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.
Transfer of Crab QS, PQS, IFQ and IPQ.
Quota Share (QS) represents a long-term privilege to harvest a percentage of the crab fishery that
was initially issued in 2005 to eligible applicants. QS may now be obtained only by transfer
from a QS holder. Each year QS yields IFQ.
Processor Quota Share (PQS) is a long-term privilege for crab processors to receive a percentage
of the crab harvest. PQS was initially issued in 2005 to qualified applicants. PQS annually
yields IPQ. PQS may now be received only by transfer from another PQS holder.
Individual fishing quota (IFQ) is the number of pounds of crab that QS yields each year. IFQ is
determined by number of QS units held and the annual crab total allowable catch amount. The
QS holder or a hired master can fish IFQ, and IFQ may be assigned to a cooperative or may be
leased.
Individual processing quota (IPQ) is the number of pounds of crab that PQS yields each year.
IPQ is needed to receive any amount of crab harvested under a Class A IFQ permit.
An application is required to transfer any amount of QS, PQS, IFQ, or IPQ. The Regional
Administrator provides applications on the Internet at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov. A transfer
application will not be approved until the necessary eligibility application has been submitted
and approved by NMFS.
a. Application for Transfer of IFQ between Crab Harvesting Cooperatives.
A crab harvesting cooperative is formed for the purpose of applying for and fishing under a crab
harvesting cooperative IFQ permit. A crab harvesting cooperative is permitted to transfer its IFQ
only to another crab harvesting cooperative. In order for an inter-cooperative transfer to be
approved, both parties must be already established and recognized by NMFS as a crab harvesting
cooperative prior to the transfer. NMFS will notify the transferor and transferee once the
application has been received and approved. An IFQ transfer is not effective until approved by
NMFS.
Once a cooperative has been issued an IFQ permit, the members of that cooperative cannot
transfer away IFQ, because they hold no IFQ of their own. When a QS holder joins a
cooperative, all of his or her QS are converted to cooperative IFQ that is held in common by the
cooperative. Only the cooperative may transfer cooperative IFQ.
A cooperative that was issued cooperative IFQ is not allowed to hold QS directly, even though as
a legal business entity, a cooperative would otherwise be eligible to acquire and hold QS. This
prohibition on cooperatives holding QS is necessary to maintain the regulatory distinctions
between individually-held IFQ and cooperative IFQ, and to simplify the administration of the CR
Program.

2

A cooperative receives an annual IFQ permit in lieu of the members who assigned their pounds
to the cooperative. Therefore, a cooperative is counted as one person holding IFQ; members
who assigned IFQ to cooperatives are not counted as IFQ permit holders.
Because cooperatives are required to apply annually for each year’s cooperative IFQ permit, any
changes in cooperative membership that occur between fishing seasons should be reflected in the
following year’s cooperative IFQ permit application. The same process may be used by a
cooperative to accommodate the rights of a successor-in-interest in the event that a member dies
(in the case of an individual), or dissolves (in the case of a business entity).
A crab harvesting cooperative may transfer all or part of its IFQ to another crab harvesting
cooperative. A transfer request may be submitted to NMFS using any one of the following
methods:
Electronic: https://www.fakr.noaa.gov
Mail:

Alaska Regional Administrator, NMFS
Restricted Access Management Program
P.O. Box 21668
Juneau, AK 99802–1668

Fax:

907–586–7354; or

Hand delivery or courier:
NMFS
Room 713
709 West 9th Street
Juneau, AK 99801
The requirement for notarized signature is removed from the certification sections of this
application.
Application For Transfer Of IFQ Between Crab Harvesting Cooperatives.
Identification of Transferor Cooperative
Non-Electronic Submittal.
Transferor cooperative’s name, NMFS Person ID, date of incorporation, name of transferor cooperative’s
authorized representative, permanent business mailing address, business telephone number, business fax
number, business e-mail address (if available) and a temporary mailing address (if applicable).
Electronic Submittal
Transferor cooperative’s name; NMFS Person ID, and Transfer Key.
Identification of Transferee Cooperative
Non-Electronic Submittal
Transferee cooperative’s name, NMFS Person ID, date of incorporation, name of transferee cooperative’s
authorized representative, permanent business mailing address, business telephone number, business fax
number, business e-mail address (if available) and a temporary mailing address (if applicable).
Electronic Submittal
Transferee cooperative’s name, NMFS Person ID, and Transfer Key.
Crab Harvesting Cooperative IFQ to be Transferred
Type of crab harvesting cooperative IFQ being transferred
Crab harvesting cooperative permit number, fishery, sector, region, IFQ class (A, B, R, or U) and IFQ pounds.

3

Identification of Crab Harvesting Receiving Cooperative Members
Name and NMFS Person ID of the transferee’s qualifying member(s) to whose use cap the cooperative IFQ
pounds will be applied.
Enter the amount of IFQ pounds to be applied to each cooperative member.
Certification of Transferor
Non-Electronic Submittal.
Transferor cooperative’s authorized representative must sign and date the application certifying that all
information is true, correct, and complete to the best of his or her knowledge and belief. Enter the printed
name of the cooperative transferor’s representative or his or her designee. If the application is completed
by a designee, proof of authorization to act on behalf of the transferor must accompany the application.
Electronic Submittal
Transferor cooperative’s authorized representative or his or her designee must submit the application as
indicated on the computer screen. By using the transferor cooperative’s NMFS ID, password and Transfer
Key and submitting the application, the authorized representative and his/her designee certify that all
information is true, correct, and complete to the best of his or her knowledge and belief.
Certification of Transferee
Non-Electronic Submittal.
Transferee cooperative’s representative must sign and date the application certifying that all information is
true, correct, and complete to the best of his or her knowledge and belief. Enter the printed name of the
cooperative transferee’s representative or his/her designee. If application completed by a designee, attach
authorization.
Electronic Submittal
Transferee cooperative’s authorized representative or his or her designee must submit the application as
indicated on the computer screen. By using the transferee cooperative’s NMFS ID, password and Transfer
Key and submitting the application, the authorized representative and his/her designee certify that all
information is true, correct, and complete to the best of his or her knowledge and belief.

In 2007/08, 161 inter-coop transfer permits were issued (as of November 30, 2007). The number
of crab harvesting cooperatives permitted in 2007 was 19.
Application for Inter-Cooperative Transfer, Respondent
Number of respondents
Total annual responses
Frequency of response = 8.5
Total burden hours
Time per response, non-electronic = 2 hr x 8 = 16
Time per response, electronic = 1 hr x 153
Total personnel costs ($25 x 169)
Total miscellaneous costs (51.53)
Mail (0.42 x 4 = 1.68)
Fax (2.50 x 4 = 10.00)
Online (0.05 x 153 = 7.65)
Photocopy (2 x 0.10 x 161 = 32.20)

19
161
169 hr

$4,225
$52

Application for Inter-Cooperative Transfer, Federal Government
Number of responses
8
Total burden hours
2
Time per response = 0.25
Total personnel costs ($25 x 3)
$75
Total miscellaneous costs
0

b. Application For Transfer Of Crab IFQ
A crab IFQ permit holder may transfer all or part of his or her IFQ to another crab IFQ permit
holder. The application for this permit requires attachments and is not conducive to online
submittal. An application for IFQ transfer may be submitted to NMFS using any one of the
following methods:
4

Mail:

Alaska Regional Administrator, NMFS
Restricted Access Management Program
P.O. Box 21668
Juneau, AK 99802–1668

Fax:

907–586–7354; or

Hand delivery or courier:
NMFS
Room 713
709 West 9th Street
Juneau, AK 99801
Application For Transfer Of Crab IFQ
Type of Transfer
If this is a catcher vessel crew (CVC) or catcher/processor crew (CPC) IFQ transfer,
Attach proof of at least one delivery of a crab species in any CR crab fishery in the 365 days prior to
submission to NMFS of the Application for Transfer of IFQ. Proof of this landing is:
Signature of the applicant on an ADF&G Fish Ticket; or
An affidavit from the vessel owner attesting to that individual’s participation as a member of a fish
harvesting crew on board a vessel during a landing of a crab QS species within the 365 days prior
to submission of an Application for transfer of crab IFQ.
If this is a CVC or CPC IFQ transfer,
Indicate whether this transfer is only due to a hardship (see § 680.41(e)(3))
If YES, indicate one of the following types of hardship and provide required documentation supporting
the need for such transfer.
Medical condition of QS holder (see § 680.41(e)(3)(A)).
Medical condition involving an individual who requires a QS holder’s care
(see § 680.41(e)(3)(B)).
Total or constructive physical loss of a vessel (see § 680.41(e)(3)(C)).
Transferor Information
Transferor’s name and NMFS Person ID, transferor’s permanent business mailing address, and any
temporary mailing address, business telephone number, business fax number, and business e-mail
address (if available).
Indicate whether transferor submitted an Economic Date Report (EDR), if required to do so under § 680.6.
Indicate whether transferor has paid all fees, as required by § 680.44.
Transferee Information
Transferee’s name and NMFS Person ID, transferee’s permanent business mailing address and any
temporary mailing address, business telephone number, business fax number, and business e-mail
address (if available).
Indicate whether transferee submitted an EDR, if required to do so under § 680.6.
Indicate whether transferee has paid all fees, as required by § 680.44.
Identification of IFQ to be Transferred.
IFQ permit number, crab fishery, sector of QS, region, IFQ Class (A, B, R, or U), and number of IFQ
pounds.
Certification of transferor.
Printed name and signature of transferor or authorized representative and date signed. If completed by an
authorized representative, attach proof of authorization
Certification of Transferee
Printed name and signature of transferee or authorized representative and date signed. If completed by an
authorized representative, attach proof of authorization.

The number of IFQ transfers in 2007 was 373. Because the records do not show frequency of
transfer per individual permit, the frequency of 1 will be used.

5

Application for Transfer of Crab IFQ, Respondent
Number of respondents
Total annual responses
Frequency of response = 1
Total burden hours
Time per response = 2 hr
Total personnel costs ($25 x 746)
Total miscellaneous costs (1605.26)
Fax ($5 x 300 = 1500)
Mail (0.42 x 73 = 30.66)
Photocopy (2 x 0.10 x 373 = 74.60)
Application for Transfer of Crab IFQ, Federal Government
Number of responses
Total burden hours (93.25)
Time per response = 0.25
Total personnel costs ($25 x 93)
Total miscellaneous costs

373
373
746
$18,650
$1,605

373
93
2,325
0

c. Application For Transfer Of Crab IPQ
A crab IPQ permit holder may transfer all or part of its IPQ to another crab IPQ permit holder.
An application for IPQ transfer may be submitted to NMFS using any one of the following
methods:
Electronic: https://www.fakr.noaa.gov
Mail:

Alaska Regional Administrator, NMFS
Restricted Access Management Program
P.O. Box 21668
Juneau, AK 99802–1668

Fax:

907–586–7354; or

Hand delivery or courier:
NMFS, Room 713
709 West 9th Street
Juneau, AK 99801
Application for Transfer Of Crab IPQ
Type of Transfer
Indicate whether this transfer of IPQ is to be used within the Eligible Crab Community (ECC) with which
the IPQ is currently associated (see § 680.41(l)).
If YES, provide the name of the current ECC that has the Right of First Refusal (ROFR) on the IPQ.
Indicate whether this transfer of IPQ is to be used outside an ECC that has authorized an entity to represent
it in exercise of ROFR under § 680.41(l)(3), with which the IPQ is currently associated.
Transferor Information
Identification of transferor
Non-electronic submittal
Enter the transferor’s name, NMFS Person ID, date of incorporation, name of transferor’s
authorized representative, permanent business mailing address, business telephone number,
business fax number, and business e-mail address (if available) of the transferor, and any
temporary mailing address.
Electronic submittal - Enter the transferor’s name; NMFS Person ID, and Transfer Key.

6

EDR Submittal - Indicate whether transferor submitted an EDR, if required to do so under § 680.6.
Fee Payment - Indicate whether transferor has paid all fees, as required by § 680.44.
Transferee Information
Identification of transferee
Non-electronic submittal
Enter the transferee’s name, NMFS Person ID, date of incorporation, name of transferee’s
authorized representative, permanent business mailing address, business telephone number,
business fax number, and business e-mail address (if available) of the transferee, and any
temporary mailing address
Electronic submittal - Enter the transferee’s name; NMFS Person ID, and Transfer Key.
EDR Submittal - Indicate whether transferee submitted an EDR, if required to do so under § 680.6.
Fee Payment - Indicate whether transferee has paid all fees, as required by § 680.44.
Identification of IPQ to be Transferred
IPQ permit number, crab fishery, sector of QS, region, IFQ Class (A, B, R, or U), and number of
IPQ pounds.
Certification of Transferor
Non-Electronic submittal
Printed name and signature of transferor or authorized representative and date signed. If completed by
an authorized representative, attach proof of authorization
Electronic Submittal
The transferor must submit the application as indicated on the computer screen. By using the
transferor’s NMFS ID, password, and Transfer Key and submitting the application, the transferor or
his/her authorized representative certify that all information is true, correct, and complete to the best of
his or her knowledge and belief.
Certification of Transferee
Non-Electronic Submittal
Printed name and signature of transferee or authorized representative and date signed. If completed
by an authorized representative, attach proof of authorization
Electronic Submittal
The transferee must submit the application as indicated on the computer screen. By using the
transferee’s NMFS ID, password, and Transfer Key and submitting the application, the transferee or
his/her authorized representative certify that all information is true, correct, and complete to the best of
his or her knowledge and belief.

The number of IPQ permit holders issued in 2007 is 24. There were approximately 32 IPQ
transfers in the 2007-2008 crab fishing year.
Application to Transfer Crab IPQ, Respondent
Estimated number of respondents
Total annual responses
Number of responses per year = 1.35
Total Time burden
Time per response, non-electronic = 2 hr x 16 = 32
Time per response, electronic = 1 hr x 16 = 16
Total personnel cost
Cost per hour = $25
Total miscellaneous cost (47.36)
Postage (0.42 x 8 = 3.36)
Fax ($5 x 8 = 40)
Online ($0.05 x 16 = 0.8)
Photocopy (0.05 x 2 x 32 = 3.20)

7

24
32
48

$1,200
$47

Application to Transfer Crab IPQ, Federal Government
Total annual responses
Total Time burden
Time per response (30 min/60 min = 0.5)
Total personnel cost
Cost per hour = $25
Total miscellaneous cost

16
8
$200
0

d. Application to Transfer Crab QS and PQS
Processor quota share (PQS) or quota share (QS) may be transferred, with approval of the
Regional Administrator, to persons qualified to receive PQS or QS by transfer.
A crab QS or PQS permit holder may transfer all or part of his or her QS or PQS to another crab
QS or PQS permit holder. An application for transfer of QS or PQS may be submitted to NMFS
using only mail or courier because the application requires an original signature and notary:
Mail: Alaska Regional Administrator, NMFS
Restricted Access Management Program
P.O. Box 21668
Juneau, AK 99802–1668
Hand delivery or courier:
NMFS
Room 713
709 West 9th Street
Juneau, AK 99801
Application to Transfer Crab QS and PQS
Type of Transfer
Indicate the type(s) of Quota Share or Processor Quota Share for which a transfer is being sought.
If CVC or CPC QS transfer,
Submit proof of at least one delivery of a crab species in any CR crab fishery in the 365 days prior to
submission to NMFS of the Application for Transfer of IFQ or IPQ. Proof of this landing is:
Signature of the applicant on an ADF&G Fish Ticket; or
An affidavit from the vessel owner attesting to that individual’s participation as a member of a fish
harvesting crew on board a vessel during a landing of a crab QS species within the 365 days prior
to submission of an Application for transfer of crab QS or PQS.
If PQS transfer,
Indicate whether the PQS will be used within the Eligible Crab Community (ECC) with which the PQS is
currently associated
If YES, indicate the name of the current ECC that has the Right of First Refusal (ROFR) and
attach an affidavit stating that the ECC wishes to permanently waive ROFR for the PQS or that the
proposed recipient of the PQS has completed a ROFR contract with the ECCE for the PQS that
includes the terms enacted under section 313(j) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and referenced under
§ 680.40(f)(3).
Indicate whether the PQS will be used outside the ECC with which the PQS is currently associated.
Identification of Transferor
Name and NMFS Person ID of transferor
Date of Incorporation
Permanent business mailing address and any temporary business mailing address
Business telephone number, business fax number, and business e-mail address (if available)
Indicate whether transferor has submitted an EDR, if required to do so under § 680.6.

8

Indicate whether transferor has paid all fees, as required by § 680.44.
Identification of Transferee
Name and NMFS Person ID of transferee
Date of Incorporation
Permanent business mailing address and any temporary business mailing address (if applicable)
Business telephone number, business fax number, and business e-mail address (if available)
Indicate whether transferee has submitted an EDR, if required to do so under § 680.6.
Indicate whether transferee has paid all fees, as required by § 680.44.
Eligibility of Transferee (Does not pertain to those seeking to receive Processing Quota Share)
Indicate whether transferee is applying to receive Catcher Vessel Owner (CVO) or Catcher/Processor Owner
(CPO) QS (with or without IFQ).
If YES, indicate whether the transferee is an eligible recipient of QS or IFQ
Indicate whether the transferee is applying to receive Catcher Vessel Crew (CVC) or Catcher/Processor Crew:
(CPC) QS (with or without IFQ).
If YES, indicate whether the transferee is an eligible recipient of QS or IFQ.
If NO, a completed Application for BSAI Crab Eligibility to Receive QS/PQS or IFQ/IPQ by Transfer must
be completed, submitted, and approved before this Application for Transfer of QS or PQS can be approved.
Identification and Cost of Quota to be Transferred
Fishery, sector, region, beginning serial number, ending serial number, number of QS units
Indicate whether any current year IFQ/IPQ Pounds are to transfer with the QS/PQS
If YES, enter IFQ or IPQ permit number, IFQ Class (A, B, R, or U), and pounds
If transferring CPO quota, indicate how the CPO QS is to be designated after the transfer
If transferring CPO quota to be designated as CVO QS and PQS, indicate the one region for the resulting QS
and PQS
Enter the total price of the QS or PQS, including all fees and other transaction costs
Enter the price per unit of QS or PQS
Enter the price per pound of any IFQ or IPQ crab transferred with the QS or PQS
Indicate whether a permit broker is being used to facilitate this transfer
If YES, enter amount paid in broker fees or percentage of total price of QS or PQS
Certification of Transferor
Enter printed name and signature of transferor and date signed. If completed by an authorized representative,
attach authorization.
Signature of notary public, date commission expires, and notary seal or stamp.
Certification of Transferee
Enter printed name and signature of transferee and date signed of transferee. If completed by an authorized
representative, attach authorization.
Signature of notary public, date commission expires, and notary seal or stamp.

NMFS received 278 total transfer applications from 2005 through 2007 (NMFS does not keep
track of these by year). Dividing by 3 years provides the number 93 transfers per year, which is
used as the number of respondents, with a response frequency of one.
Application to Transfer Crab QS and PQS, Respondent
Estimated number of respondents
Total annual responses
Number of responses per year = 1
Total Time burden
Time per response = 2 hr
Total personnel cost
Cost per hour = $25
Total miscellaneous cost (48.36)
Postage (0.42 x 93 = 39.06)
Photocopy (0.05 x 2 x 93 = 9.30)

9

93
93
186
$4,650
$48

Application to Transfer Crab QS and PQS, Federal Government
Total annual responses
Total Time burden
Time per response (30 min/60 min = 0.5)
Total personnel cost
Cost per hour = $25
Total miscellaneous cost

93
47
$1,175
0

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 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (`) standards for
confidentiality, privacy, and electronic information. See response to Question10 of this
Supporting Statement for more information on confidentiality and privacy. 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 measures and a predissemination review pursuant to Section 515 of Public Law 106-554.
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 developed new data collection methods that facilitate fishing operations by providing
self-help, real-time quota transfer opportunities. Industry requested the option to submit transfer
requests electronically in order to react quickly to changing conditions and to realize harvesting
efficiencies. The on-line transfers are accomplished at https://www.fakr.noaa.gov
through a NMFS ID, password, and key – all of which are provided at the time the participant
becomes a quota holder. This specific information then can be used to identify participants
during online transfer.
4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.
None of the information collected as part of this information collection duplicates other
collections. This information collection is part of a specialized and technical program that is not
like any other.
5. If the collection of information involves small businesses or other small entities, describe
the methods used to minimize burden.
This collection-of-information does not impose a significant impact on small entities. This
action reduces the reporting burden on crab cooperatives, processors, and individuals.
6. Describe the consequences to the Federal program or policy activities if the collection is
not conducted or is conducted less frequently.
Providing the CR crab participants with an online opportunity for transfers reduces the burden of
participants and increases accuracy of the data and efficiency of the process. Not providing this
submittal method and continuing the current method of reporting would not meet the objectives
of the CR Program.

10

7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a
manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.
No inconsistencies occur in this collection.
8. Provide information on 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.
The NMFS Alaska Region submitted a proposed rule, RIN 0648-AW56, Fisheries of the
Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Western Alaska Community Development Quota
Program, Rockfish Program, the Amendment 80 Program, and the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands Crab Rationalization Program, coincident with this submission, requesting comments
from the public. There were no comments on the information collection requirements.
The final rule has the following changes from the proposed rule:
“50 CFR 679.81(f) describes the application for inter-cooperative transfer of rockfish
cooperative quota. Section 679.81(f)(1) describes the requirements to submit a completed
application, whether non-electronic or electronic. The proposed rule did not include a current
transfer requirement. The regulations at §679.81(f)(1)(v) and (vi) currently set forth the
requirement for signature of the associated rockfish processor. This requirement was overlooked
and not included in the proposed rule. The final rule corrects this omission and the associated
processor will continue to be included as a party to a catcher vessel sector transfer of cooperative
quota.”
Note that this paragraph describes changes to the regulations only. The original ICR supporting
statement and the form had the complete and correct information.
9. Explain any decisions to provide payments or gifts to respondents, other than
remuneration of contractors or grantees.
No payment or gift will be provided under the CR Program.
10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for
assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
Respondents are informed that the information collected is confidential under section 402(b) of
the Magnuson-Stevens Act. It is also confidential under NOAA Administrative Order 216-100,
which sets forth procedures to protect confidentiality of fishery statistics.
The information collected is part of the Privacy Act System of Records, COMMERCE/NOAA19, Permits and Registrations for United States Federally Regulated Fisheries, published in the
Federal Register on April 17, 2008 (73 FR 20914), and effective on June 11, 2008 (73 FR
33065).
11

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.
Information collected for the CR Program does not include information of a private or sensitive
nature.
12. Provide an estimate in hours of the burden of the collection of information.
Estimated total unique respondents: 1,920 (390 vessels, 110 processors, 1300 hired masters, 100
registered crab receivers, 1 Eligible Crab Community Organization (ECCO), 19 cooperatives),
an increase from 1,800. Estimated total responses: 2,899 increased from 2,799. Estimated total
burden: 4,450, increased from 4,419.
Estimated total personnel cost: $112,250, increased from $111,725, based on the average wage
equivalent to a GS-9 employee in Alaska, including Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), $25
per hour.
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 Question
12 above).
Estimated total miscellaneous costs: $12,374, decreased from $17,011.
14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government.
Estimated total responses: 2,670, decreased from 2,739. Estimated total burden: 775 hr,
increased from 765 hr. Estimated total personnel cost: $21,364, increased from $21,089, based
on the average wage equivalent to a GS-9 employee in Alaska, including COLA, $25 per hour.
15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments.
Program changes: 1) provide the option to submit quota transfers online for Crab IFQ, IPQ and
inter-cooperative transfer of IFQ; 2) remove the Application for transfer of Crab QS/IFQ or
PQS/IPQ and separate it into three applications, because each of the quota type transfers is
submitted differently and contains different information; 3) remove the notarization requirement
for transfers of Crab IFQ and Crab IPQ.
There is an overall increase of 31 hours. A net increase of 180 hours is due to the removal of the
transfer of Crab QS/IFQ or PQS/IPQ form and replacement by the three following it below, but
the shorter average response time for transfer of Crab IPQ saves 16 hours; that is, simply adding
these three forms, with no online transfer option for Crab IPQ transfer, would have added 196
hours. A decrease of 149 hours is due to the addition of online submission for the intercooperative transfer of IFQ.
Removing the notarization requirement for Crab IFQ and IPQ decreases miscellaneous costs by
$2,920. Allowing online transfer for the inter-cooperative transfer of IFQ decreases

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miscellaneous costs by $1,765. Adding $48 for the Crab QS/PQS transfer results in a net
decrease of $4,637.
Details of Program Changes:
Application for Transfer of Crab QS/IFQ or PQS/IPQ; this form is removed.
a decrease of 400 respondents and responses, 0 instead of 400
a decrease of 800 hr burden, 0 hr instead of 800 hr
a decrease of $20,000 personnel costs, $0 instead of $20,000
a decrease of $4,572 miscellaneous costs, $0 instead of $4,572
Application for Transfer of Crab QS or PQS; this form is added. This form must be notarized
and may be submitted only by mail or courier.
an increase of 93 respondents and responses, 93 instead of 0
an increase of 186 hr burden, 186 hr instead of 0 hr
an increase of $4,650 personnel costs, $4,650 instead of $0
an increase of $48 miscellaneous costs, $48 instead of $0
Application for Transfer of Crab IFQ; this form is added. This form may be submitted by mail,
fax, or courier.
an increase of 373 respondents and responses, 373 instead of 0
an increase of 746 hr burden, 746 hr instead of 0 hr
an increase of $18,650 personnel costs, $18,650 instead of $0
an increase of $1,605 miscellaneous costs, $1,605 instead of $0

Application for Transfer of Crab IPQ; this form is added. This form may now be submitted
online, as well as by fax, by mail, or by courier.
an increase of 24 respondents, 24 instead of 0
an increase of 32 responses, 32 instead of 0
an increase of 48 hr burden, 48 hr instead of 0 hr
an increase of $1,200 personnel costs, $1,200 instead of $0
an increase of $47 miscellaneous costs, $47 instead of $0
Application for Inter-Cooperative Transfer of IFQ. This form may now be submitted online, as
well as by fax, by mail, or by courier.
a decrease of 140 respondents, 19 instead of 159 (this is a correction based on permit
counts)
an increase of 2 responses, 161 instead of 159
a decrease of 149 hr burden, 169 hr instead of 318 hr
a decrease of $3,725 personnel costs, $4,225 instead of $7,950
a decrease of $1,765 miscellaneous costs, $52 instead of $1,817.
16. For collections whose results will be published, outline the plans for tabulation and
publication.
The information collected will be summarized and available in aggregated form to the public on
the NMFS Alaska Region website at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov.

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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.
In accordance with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requirements, the expiration date
of OMB approval will be shown on all information collection instruments
18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in Item 19 of the
OMB 83-I.
No exceptions to the certification statement are proposed.

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

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