The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) manages the capacity reduction loans issued in accordance with fishing capacity reduction programs to prevent or end overfishing, rebuild stocks of fish, or achieve measurable or significant improvements in the conservation and management of the fishery. Under the authority of section 312(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the Secretary may buy back vessels and/or fishing permits in order to obtain the maximum sustained reduction in fishing capacity at the least cost and in a minimum period of time. Funding for such programs is authorized under Section 312(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and allows NMFS to obtain funding under authorization of the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act, through specific appropriations, from industry fee systems, and from public, private, or non-profit sources.
PL:
Pub.L. 104 - 297 312
Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act
Adjustments:
Our figures from the previous PRA approval have been adjusted to reflect our actual experience based on averaged data from the programs listed in Question 12 above. Our practical experience indicates that only one implementation plan per year for industry-funded buybacks in a federal or state fishery is likely rather than one in each a federal and a state fishery as previously estimated. Consequently the number of annual reports being provided has not increased as previously estimated.
Originally, fish tickets were going to be submitted to the buyback program, but we have instead been able to fully rely on the state fish ticket process and use the data already being provided under their regulations, so no additional burden has occurred as previously estimated. It is possible future buyback programs will not be for fisheries having state fish tickets, and will require an additional line item on fish tickets and 10 minutes for that modification has been provided in the current estimates, based on fish ticket submission being required for half of the new programs. New estimate: 3,600 responses and 600 hours, down from 6,600 responses and 1,100 hours.
Seller/buyer reports are now estimated to average 10 per year, down from 112, with an average of 49 hours, down from 224. This decrease was partially offset by increasing the time per response to four hours, up from the previous 2 hours estimated, as that was determined to be too low an estimate.
There was an increase in the number of monthly buyer fee collection reports due to the large number of fish buyers in the Pacific Coast Groundfish program in comparison to the other three programs: 3,010, up from 1,296 and related hours: 6,020, up from 2,592.
The net decrease in responses is 2,668 (7,969, down from 10,637) and in hours, 9,005 (18,923, down from 27,928).
Estimated average costs have increased by a net of $24, due mainly to monthly buyer fee collection reports and a postage increase.
$0
No
No
No
No
No
Uncollected
Liz Ryan 301 427-8777
Reginfo record details
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:
(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.
Buyer (or seller) monthly reports
0376 Supporting Statement 021412 rev.doc
Fishing Capacity Reduction Program Implementation Plans