0329 ss ren 060910rev

SUPPORTING STATEMENT
FOREIGN FISHING VESSELS OPERATING IN INTERNAL WATERS
OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0329

A.

JUSTIFICATION

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.
This information collection is necessary to comply with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (MSFCMA), 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., which, at section
306(c)(1)(C), requires foreign fishing vessels processing fish within internal waters (waters
considered to be within the United States (US)) to report the amount and location of fish received
from vessels of the US. Regulatory requirements related to this information collection are
located at 50 CFR 600.508(f).
This request is for renewal of this information collection.
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.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS) uses the information from this collection to monitor receipts of fish for
conservation and management purposes. Reports require vessel identification information; date
of receipt of fish; amount of fish received, by species; and the location where the fish received
were harvested. Specific reporting requirements, such as timing and method of submission of
reports, are stipulated by the NMFS Regional Administrator based on the data collection and
fishery monitoring systems in place in the applicable Region at the time the internal waters
fishing operation takes place. Specifically, NMFS will use the information to properly allocate
the reported receipts to the area(s) from which the fish were harvested, and to ensure that all
receipts are accounted for in monitoring quotas and for resource assessment purposes. Receipts
are required to be reported by species in order to attribute the receipts to the appropriate fishery
and stock of fish. If quotas exist for the species received, the record of receipts will be used to
monitor the quotas. All reports of receipts will be used for stock assessment and statistical
reporting purposes.
It is anticipated that information collected will be disseminated to the public or used to support
publicly-disseminated information. As explained in the preceding paragraph, the information
gathered has utility. NMFS will retain control over the information and safeguard it from
improper access, modification, and destruction, consistent with NOAA standards for
confidentiality, privacy and electronic information. See response to Question 10 of this
Supporting Statement for more information on confidentiality and privacy. The information
collection is designed to yield data that meet applicable information quality guidelines. Prior to

1

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.
This collection does not require the use of automated or electronic technology, nor does it
preclude the use of such technology. Because of differences in existing NMFS information
collection systems in different parts of the country, the specifics of the timing and method of
transmission of reports for collection of this information will be determined by the appropriate
Regional Administrator at the time of application by the foreign fishing vessel. It is intended that
the most expeditious and least burdensome reporting method available will be employed. In this
instance, submission by fax appears to be the most common method.
4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.
The Congress provided that the information described above be collected by NMFS because
there was previously no mechanism in place to reliably acquire the information. Foreign fishing
vessels in internal waters are subject to conditions arranged with the Governor(s) of the involved
state(s). Such arrangements have not necessarily involved reporting data on receipts of fish. In
the event that involved state(s) need the same data as required in 50 CFR 600.508(f), NMFS will
coordinate with the state(s) to avoid duplicative collections.
5. If the collection of information involves small businesses or other small entities, describe
the methods used to minimize burden.
This collection will not have a significant impact on small businesses, organizations, or
governmental entities.
6. Describe the consequences to the Federal program or policy activities if the collection is
not conducted or is conducted less frequently.
As noted, this is a statutorily required collection. Without the collection of this information,
NMFS would not be in compliance with the law, and would not have the data necessary to
properly account for removals of fish transferred to foreign fishing vessels in internal waters.
This would compromise stock assessments, quota management, and general statistical reporting
of fishery resources.
7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a
manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.
This collection requires reports more frequently than quarterly (that is, weekly) because quarterly
reports are not timely enough to allow monitoring of quotas and may not be adequate for
collection of information necessary for stock assessment purposes.

2

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.
A Notice was published in the Federal Register on February 3, 2010 (75 FR 5566), seeking
comments on renewal of this information collection. No comments were received.
9. Explain any decisions to provide payments or gifts to respondents, other than
remuneration of contractors or grantees.
There is no payment or gift to respondents.
10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for
assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
As stated on the weekly reporting form, data submitted based on this information collection will
be accorded confidentiality pursuant to 50 CFR Part 600, Subpart E.
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 included in this information collection.
12. Provide an estimate in hours of the burden of the collection of information.
We are estimating an annual burden of 12 hours for this collection. It is estimated that 2 foreign
fishing vessels per year will engage in internal waters operations. Each vessel is estimated to
operate for 12 weeks per year, for a total of 24 responses per year. Weekly reports are estimated
to require 30 minutes each to fill out and submit. Therefore, the annual reporting burden for
submitting reports, per vessel, is estimated to be: 30 minutes per week for 12 weeks = 6 hours.
The total annual reporting burden for submitting reports, for all vessels, is estimated to be: 6
hr/vessel x 2 vessels = 12 hours. Most, if not all of the information collected is expected to be
available and recorded by the foreign fishing vessel as a normal part of conducting business.
There are no recordkeeping requirements associated with this collection.

3

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).
There are no capital or start-up costs associated with this collection. All foreign fishing vessels
involved will already have the means to communicate the required information to the appropriate
NMFS Regional Administrator as a component of the vessel’s communications equipment. The
cost for a vessel to submit a fax or email report would not be expected to exceed $12.00 per
month or $3.00 per week. On an annualized basis, such costs could be estimated as follows: 2
vessels x 12 weekly reports at $3.00 per weekly report = $72.00 per year.
14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government.
The costs to the Federal government associated with this collection are expected to be negligible.
Other than providing copies of specific reporting requirements upon request, and copying and
processing the data received, there are no expenditures required. No capital equipment would be
required; systems already exist for data processing and record storage.
15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments.
Adjustments: The estimates of hours of burden and annual costs have been reduced to reflect 2
possible respondents rather than the prior estimate of 6. For several years, foreign fishing vessels
have not sought to process fish within internal waters. If the recent past is an indicator of future
activities, foreign fishing vessels are not likely to process fish in internal waters and, thus, the
weekly receipt reports will not be needed. The reduced number of respondents reflects the
reduction in likelihood that the Internal Waters Receipt Report would be used.
Also, the $72 annualized reporting cost, although included in the 2007 renewal supporting
statement, was not included in the ROCIS submission previously. It remains the same as in the
2007 supporting statement, as the estimated cost per fax has increased.
16. For collections whose results will be published, outline the plans for tabulation and
publication.
Not applicable.
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.
Not applicable.
18. Explain each exception to the certification statement.
There are no exceptions.

4

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

5