The National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) proposes to collect data to support implementation of a
future trawl rationalization program. Ownership interest
information would be collected from potential participants in the
trawl rationalization program, including the at-sea fleet (whiting
motherships, catcher vessels and catcher processors), the
shore-based fleet (whiting and non-whiting permit owners and
holders) and the whiting shore based processors. The primary
purpose of collecting ownership information from the trawl industry
is to allow NMFS to monitor control of the groundfish resource in
the trawl fishery to ensure participants comply with accumulation
limits, or control caps on quota share as recommended in Amendment
20 to Groundfish Fishery Management Plan. This will expedite the
initial issuance process of quota share and create a baseline of
ownership information to evaluate the trawl rationalization
program, as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation
and Management Act. NMFS is also requesting that owners identify
themselves as either "small" or "large" businesses for purposes of
facilitating future Regulatory Flexibility analyses of trawl
rationalization program. CHANGE PER FINAL RULE: The total ownership
interest of all shareholders in an entity or partnership must equal
100 percent, except for cases where some shareholders/partners in
the business entity own less than 2% and are, therefore, not
required to be reported. Only shareholders with greater than or
equal to 2% ownership interest in the business entity are required
to report their ownership interest.
US Code:
16 USC 1801 et seq. 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.