Justification for change

JUSTIFICATION FOR CHANGE
SOUTHEAST REGION PERMIT FAMILY OF FORMS
OMB Control No. 0648-0205
We are requesting a change to the Federal Permit Application for Vessels Fishing in the
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), per Amendment 31 to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan
as laid out in Final Rule 0648-AX67: the addition of a checkbox for an Eastern Gulf of Mexico
Reef Fish Bottom Long Line Endorsement (RRLE), for those renewing permit holders
requesting the endorsement.
An estimated 61 vessels will qualify for the endorsement: those already possessing a Gulf of
Mexico Reef Fish Permit (RR) and having a record of the required amount of landings. The
estimated burden for reviewing instructions and checking the RRLE box is estimated to be less
than one minute per response, for a total of 1 hour of additional burden.
Additionally, the final rule contains the option for Gulf reef fish permit holders to appeal
longline endorsement eligibility and/or landings information. The only items subject to appeal
are: initial eligibility for an eastern Gulf reef fish bottom longline endorsement based on
ownership of a qualifying reef fish permit, the accuracy of the amount of landings, and correct
assignment of landings to the permittee. Appeals must be submitted to the Regional
Administrator (RA) postmarked no later than 120 days after the date of publication of the final
rule, and must contain documentation supporting the basis for the appeal. The estimated
number of hours to complete an appeal is two hours per response. An estimated 2 responses are
expected for the appeals process, with a total annual burden of 4 hours.
A total of 2 responses and 5 hours of additional burden would be added to this information
collection.