0205 SS 011513 rev

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

SOUTHEAST REGION PERMIT FAMILY OF FORMS

OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0205

A. JUSTIFICATION

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.

This request is for a comprehensive revision in association with a proposed rule, RIN 0648-BB58, Amendment 18B to the Snapper-Grouper Fishery off the Southern Atlantic States. The proposed rule contains information collection requirements that revise OMB Control Numbers 0648-0205 and 0648-0603.

If implemented, this rule would establish a longline endorsement program for the commercial golden tilefish component of the snapper-grouper fishery; establish initial eligibility requirements for a golden tilefish longline endorsement; establish an appeals process; allocate the commercial golden tilefish annual catch limit (ACL) among gear groups (under OMB Control No. 0648-0603); establish a procedure for the transfer of golden tilefish endorsements; modify the golden tilefish trip limits; and establish a trip limit for commercial fishermen who do not receive a golden tilefish longline endorsement. The intent of this rule is to reduce overcapacity in the commercial golden tilefish component of the snapper-grouper fishery.

The Southeast Region covers the eight coastal states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, the inland states of Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Tennessee, as well as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the United States (U.S.) Virgin Islands. The Sustainable Fisheries Division, Southeast Regional Office, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), is entrusted with the conservation, management, and protection of marine fishery resources inhabiting federal waters off the southeastern U.S. from North Carolina through Texas and Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Sustainable Fisheries Division is the Southeast Region’s focal point for implementing NMFS' primary legislative authority for fisheries management and research, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act/MSA), as amended by the Sustainable Fisheries Act (SFA).

The Sustainable Fisheries Division works directly with the Southeast Region’s three fishery management councils established by Congress to perform the mandates of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. These mandates are accomplished through fishery management plans for marine finfish and crustaceans that support important commercial and recreational fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), South Atlantic Ocean, and Caribbean Sea and consider conservation and management issues, sociological and economic issues, and regulatory issues. Functions and activities required to fulfill this and other responsibilities as specified in the Magnuson-Stevens Act include: providing guidance on fisheries management; providing technical assistance and advise in preparing fishery management plans (FMPs) in accordance with national standard guidelines and other applicable laws; coordinating public review and compilation of comments; initiating Secretarial review of FMPs and amendments; drafting regulations and Federal Register notices, as well as reviewing and responding to comments received during rulemaking; FMP implementation; and monitoring.

A major component of fisheries management in the Southeast Region is the permit system and the information collected by these permits. The permit/endorsement system has the following uses:

1. Registration of actual and/or potential fishing vessels/dealers.

2. Collection of data relevant to the characteristics of both vessels and (potential) fishermen.

3. Secure compliance (e.g., do not issue permits until unpaid penalties have been collected and reporting requirements are fulfilled).

4. Provide a mailing list for the dissemination of regulatory information.

5. Register participants for fisheries with special restrictions/limited access.

6. Provide sample frames for data collection.

7. Permit purchase information for fleet economic analyses.

Accordingly, numerous FMPs and Amendments have been developed by the Southeast Region which requires the collection of information for purposes of proper implementation of these rules. Regulations implementing the FMPs and their collection of information appear at 50 CFR 300, 50 CFR 635, 50 CFR 640, and 50 CFR 622.

The proposed rule, RIN 0648-BB58, Amendment 18B, would revise OMB Control No. 0648-0205 by adding check boxes to the Federal Permit Application Form for a new golden tilefish longline endorsement, renewing such an endorsement, or transferring such an endorsement.

Abbreviations used in the following table: Gulf of Mexico (GOM), South Atlantic (SA), Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

Activity	Fishery	Form	Regulation Citation
Commercial Vessel Monitoring System Installation	SA Rock Shrimp	Checklist	50 CFR 622.4
Commercial Vessel Monitoring System Maintenance	SA Rock Shrimp	No Form	50 CFR 622.4
Notification of Lost or Stolen Traps	SA Golden Crab; Caribbean Spiny Lobster	No Form – Notification	50 CFR 622.17 50 CFR 622.6
Notification of Authorization for Trap Retrieval	GOM Reef Fish; SA Snapper-Grouper; SA Golden Crab	No Form – Written Notification of Authorization	50 CFR 622.4
Zone Transit Notification	SA Golden Crab	No Form – Notification	50 CFR 622.17
Annual Landings Report	GOM Shrimp	GOM Shrimp Federal Permit Reporting Form	50 CFR 622.4
Annual Dealer Permit	SA Dolphin Wahoo, Shark, Domestic Swordfish, SA Snapper-Grouper, SA Wreckfish, SA Rock Shrimp, SA Golden Crab, GOM Reef Fish	Federal Permit Application for an Annual Dealer Permit	50 CFR 622.4 50 CFR 635.4
Permit for Vessel Fishing for Wreckfish off the SA	Wreckfish off the SA	Federal Permit Application for Vessels Fishing for Wreckfish off the SA States	50 CFR 622.4 50 CFR 622.15
Permits for Operators of Vessels Fishing for Dolphin/Wahoo or Rock Shrimp	Atlantic Dolphin/Wahoo, South Atlantic Rock Shrimp	Federal Permit Application for Southeast Region Issued Operator Cards	50 CFR 622.4
Permits for Fishing in the EEZ	Commercial: Atlantic Dolphin Wahoo, Spiny Lobster, Spanish Mackerel, SA Rock Shrimp (Carolina zone), GOM Shrimp, King Mackerel, Gillnet for King Mackerel, GOM Reef Fish, Eastern GOM Reef Fish long line, SA Rock shrimp (SA EEZ), SA Snapper-Grouper (225 and Unlimted), Swordfish (directed, incidental and handgear), Shark (directed and incidental), Atlantic Tuna (longline), SA Golden Crab, SA Black Sea Bass pot endorsement, SA Golden Tilefish longline endorsement, HMS Caribbean fisheries (Small Boat) Charter/Headboat for: SA Coastal Migratory Pelagics, SA Snapper-Grouper, SA Dolphin/Wahoo, GOM Coastal Migratory Pelagics, GOM Reef Fish	Federal Permit Application for Vessels Fishing in the EEZ	50 CFR 622.4 50 CFR 622.15 50 CFR 622.17 50 CFR 622.40 50 CFR 635.4 50 CFR 640.4
Reef Fish Permit Consolidation	GOM Commercial Reef Fish	Form to Consolidate Commercial Reef Fish Permits	50 CFR 622.4
Transfer Notarization	All Fisheries with Allowable Transfer of Permits	Applicable Permit, License, or Endorsement	50 CFR 622.4
Change of Information for Permit Holders	All Fisheries	Change of Information Form for Federal Fisheries Permits	50 CFR 622.4 50 CFR 635.4 50 CFR 640.4
Colombian Treaty Water	Fishing in Colombian Treaty Waters	Federal Permit/Certificate Application to Fish in Columbian Treaty Waters	50 CFR 300.120 (Subpart H)
Aquacultured Live Rock	Live Rock	Federal Permit Application for the Harvest of Aquacultured Live Rock	50 CFR 622.4, COE GP SAJ-71, MOA between NMFS and COE
Aquacultured Live Rock	Live Rock	Aquaculture Site Evaluation Report	50 CFR 622.4, COE GP SAJ-71, MOA between NMFS and COE
Aquacultured Live Rock	Live Rock	Report for the Deposit or Harvest of Aquacultured Live Rock	50 CFR 622.4, COE GP SAJ-71, MOA between NMFS and COE
Aquacultured Live Rock	Live Rock	Notice of Intent to Harvest Aquacultured Live Rock	50 CFR 622.4, COE GP SAJ-71, MOA between NMFS and COE
Fishery Bulletin Option Postcard*	All Fisheries	Fishery Bulletin Option Postcard

* The Fishery Bulletin Option Postcard was a one-time collection requirement, and the burden for this requirement is being deleted as part of the adjustments in this revision.

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 information requested is used by various offices of NMFS, Regional Fishery Management Council staff, the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, and state fishery agencies under contract to NMFS to develop, implement and monitor fishery management strategies. Analyses and summarizations of data are used by NMFS, the Regional Councils, the Departments of State and Commerce, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the fishing industry, Congressional staff and the public to answer questions about the nature of the Nation’s fishery resources.

Golden Tilefish Longline Endorsements

The proposed rule, RIN 0648-BB58, Amendment 18B, would establish a longline endorsement program for the commercial golden tilefish component of the snapper-grouper fishery. The endorsement program would limit participation and reduce excess capacity in the golden tilefish component of the fishery. The eligibility criteria for a golden tilefish longline endorsement includes: possession of a valid South Atlantic Unlimited Snapper-Grouper Permit on the effective date of the final rule implementing Amendment 18B and having an average golden tilefish landings of at least 5,000 lb (2,268 kg), gutted weight, for the best 3 years within the period 2006 through 2011. The number of South Atlantic Unlimited Snapper-Grouper permit holders that would be expected to meet these criteria is 23. Those South Atlantic snapper-grouper vessel owners who qualify for a golden tilefish longline endorsement would check an endorsement box when renewing a Federal Permit Application Form and once the new permit was received, they would also have the documentation allowing transfer of the endorsement. Endorsement are issued annually or more frequently at the request of the applicant if changes are necessary. See also “Fishing in the EEZ” below.

Commercial Vessel Monitoring System Installation Checklist:

The South Atlantic Rock Shrimp fishery is required to install and maintain Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) on commercially permitted vessels. The Checklist is required to ensure proper installation and operation of the VMS system. Rock shrimp vessels must complete a form supplied by NMFS verifying that a VMS unit has been installed on the vessel and is operational. The form requests information regarding vessel name, Federal permit number, vessel documentation or state registration number, information (name, address, and telephone number) on the installing dealer, date of installation, serial number of unit, and e-mail address of vessel. The form also requests responses to questions regarding whether or not the unit is operational, if operating instructions have been provided to the vessel owner, and if the vessel owner has been trained on use of the VMS unit by the vendor. Once the form has been completed, the vessel owner or authorized representative signs and dates the form, and returns it to the address listed on the form. In addition, in order to ensure VMS unit connectivity, all vessel owners required, or choosing to use, VMS units would be required to call NMFS Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) for the Northeast Region (NER) to confirm connectivity of new and replacement VMS units (currently, there are no estimated new VMS or replacement units).

Notification of Lost or Stolen Traps and /or Notification of Authorization for Trap Retrieval:

Vessel and permit holders are required to notify NMFS when a trap is lost, stolen, or being retrieved for inventory purposes.

Zone Transit Notification:

For a person aboard a fishing vessel to fish for Golden Crab in either the Northern Zone, the Middle Zone or the Southern Zone, a Golden Crab (South Atlantic EEZ) permit is required. In order to transit a non-permitted zone a Zone Transit Notification Form must be completed.

Coupons for Tracking Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ):

A dealer may receive a wreckfish only from a vessel for which a commercial permit for wreckfish has been issued, as required under § 622.4(a)(2)(vii). A dealer must receive the

"Fish House" part of ITQ coupons in amounts totaling the eviscerated weight of the wreckfish received; enter the permit number of the vessel from which the wreckfish were received,

enter the date the wreckfish were received, enter the dealer's permit number, and sign each such "Fish House" part; and submit all such parts with the dealer reports required by §

622.5(c)(5)(i). An owner or operator of a vessel and a dealer must make available to an authorized officer all ITQ coupons in his or her possession upon request.

Annual landings report:

The owner or operator of a vessel for which a Federal commercial vessel permit for Gulf shrimp has been issued must annually report the permitted vessel’s total annual landings of shrimp and value, by species, on a form provided by the Southeast Fisheries Science Center’s Science and Research Director (SRD). Compliance with this reporting requirement is required for permit renewal.

Annual Dealer Permit:

Identification of dealer/processors is needed to obtain first purchase information on landings to evaluate the biological, economic, and social implications of management measures. The Magnuson-Stevens Act, Regulatory Flexibility Act, and Executive Orders 12866 and 12131 require the determination of these facts.

Vessel Fishing for Wreckfish off the South Atlantic:

Annually, on or about March 1, the Regional Administrator (RA) will provide each Wreckfish shareholder with a list of all wreckfish shareholders and their percentage shares, reflecting share transactions on forms received through February 15. Annually by April 15, the RA will provide each dealer who holds a dealer permit for wreckfish, as required under § 622.4(a)(4), with a list of vessels for which wreckfish permits have been issued, as required under §622.4(a)(2)(vii). Annually, by April 15, the RA will provide each wreckfish shareholder with a list of dealers who have been issued dealer permits for wreckfish. From April 16 through January 14, updated lists will be provided when required. Updated lists may be obtained at other times or by a person who is not a wreckfish shareholder or wreckfish dealer permit holder by written request to the RA.

Operators of vessels fishing for Dolphin/Wahoo or Rock shrimp:

For a person aboard a fishing vessel to fish for rock shrimp in Federal waters from the Virginia/North Carolina border to the East Coast of Florida, either a Rock Shrimp (South Atlantic EEZ) permit or a South Atlantic Rock Shrimp (Carolinas EEZ) permit is required. A vessel may not be issued both a Rock Shrimp (South Atlantic EEZ) permit and a Rock Shrimp (Carolinas Zone) permit simultaneously. If a vessel has a Rock Shrimp (South Atlantic EEZ) permit, which is valid (not expired) as of the date of this application, and the vessel owner is applying for a Rock Shrimp (Carolinas Zone) permit on the same vessel, the Rock Shrimp (South Atlantic EEZ) permit must first be transferred from the vessel or surrendered to NMFS for a person aboard a fishing vessel to fish for rock shrimp in Federal waters from the Virginia/North Carolina border to the East Coast of Florida, either a Rock Shrimp (South Atlantic EEZ) permit or a South Atlantic Rock Shrimp (Carolinas EEZ) permit is required.

A vessel must be issued an Atlantic dolphin/wahoo commercial permit to be eligible for exemption from the bag and possession limits for dolphin/wahoo in the Atlantic EEZ or to sell dolphin-wahoo harvested in the Atlantic EEZ. The permit will only be valid if there is someone on the vessel that has a valid Vessel Operator Permit Card issued by the Southeast Regional Office of NMFS or by the Northeast Regional Office of NMFS.

Fishing in the EEZ:

The vessel permit application form is used to collect vessel information. Permits are issued annually or more frequently at the request of the applicant if changes are necessary. There is one vessel permit application form that is used for both new vessels that are applying for a vessel permit and for previously permitted vessels that want to renew their vessel permit.

In section 1 of the permit application, information such as name and address of the owner is used to identify the applicant and legal ownership of the vessel. This requirement is essential in the use of permits as a fisheries enforcement tool. For example, violations of catch regulations may result in the suspension of a vessel’s permit. Since a corporation may own several vessels, identification of ownership on the application form allows NMFS to sanction the company as well as the individual vessel or vessel operator for repeated violations of regulations. This information is also used to provide a mailing list, and because some forms of delivery require a mailing address.

A USCG documentation number, or state registration number when appropriate, serves to further identify an individual vessel. This number is especially useful in tracking permit histories to past owners, assuring that qualified vessels obtain proper moratorium permits. That history becomes more and more important as additional fisheries undergo moratoriums limiting the access of participants.

Telephone numbers are required to assist NMFS in processing the application. Possessing a telephone number for an applicant enables questions to be resolved more efficiently and inexpensively than via correspondence, thus facilitating timely issuance of the permits. Home and principal port information provides managers with information on the distribution of fishing effort and fishing communities--vital components in evaluation of socio-economic impacts of fishing regulations.

The vessel information requested in section 2 of the initial application is required for evaluation of fishing power and capacity and is used by fishery economists and researchers to estimate the impacts of the fishing fleet on a resource and perform other studies as appropriate. Information from this database is used frequently throughout the year as studies are needed. The fishery information requested in section 3 is used by NMFS, the Councils, and other fishery research and management organizations to evaluate the placement, qualifications, and fishing methods of participants in the various fisheries. This information defines the type of permit issued to an applicant and which restrictions apply to that type of permit.

Section 3 includes "Limited Access/Moratorium Permits and Endorsements," a Black Sea Bass Pot Endorsement as a permit type. Applicants check boxes on the Federal Permit Application Form for permit number, renewal, or transfer of a Black Sea Bass Pot Endorsement.

Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6, require that Gulf Reef Fish IFQ participants must be either a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident alien, and check a box to indicate as such.

Section 4 of the permit application, and section 5 of the renewal application, requires that the permit holder sign and date the application. A signature is required on all application forms for legal accountability and protection of the applicant.

Section 8 of the permit application, checkbox on the Federal Permit Application Form for purchased Floy Tags. Floy Tags are issued for both Sea Bass pots and Golden Crab traps. Additionally, Section 3 of the permit application will include a checkbox on the Federal Permit Application Form for a new South Atlantic Golden Tilefish Endorsement, renewal, or transfer of the golden tilefish endorsement (average 1 minute per response). The estimated number of golden tilefish longline endorsement participants for 2012 is 23.

Reef Fish Permit Consolidation:

A person who has been issued multiple commercial vessel permits for Gulf reef fish and wants to consolidate some or all of those permits, and the landings histories associated with those permits, into one permit must submit a completed permit consolidation application to the RA. The permits consolidated must be valid, non-expired permits and must be issued to the same entity. After consolidation, such a person would have a single permit, and the permits that were consolidated into that permit will be permanently terminated.

Transfer notarization:

Transfer notification application must be accompanied by the original permit and a copy of a signed bill of sale or equivalent acquisition papers. In those cases where a permit, license, or endorsement is transferable, the seller must sign the back of the permit, license, or endorsement and have the signed transfer document notarized.

Change of Information for permit holders:

The owner or operator of a vessel with a permit, a person with a coral permit, a person with an operator permit, or a dealer with a permit must notify the RA within 30 days after any change in the application information specified. This information includes: name, address, telephone number, date the business was formed, and other identifying information of the business. The permit is void if any change in the information is not reported within 30 days.

Colombian Treaty Waters:

This Federal permitting requirement is part of the negotiated treaty with Columbia that permits U.S. vessels to fish in Columbia waters.

Aquacultured Live Rock:

The purpose of this data collection is to collect information on types and quantities of live rock that are harvested. Although these data are collected by some state fishery agencies (notably Florida), it is important to collect this information from harvesters with a Federal permit that are not from a state that requires regular permitting.

Fishery Bulletin Option Postcard:

The purpose of this data collection was to collect information from Southeast Region permit holders and non-permit holders via postcard as to whether they would like to receive Fishery

Bulletins in the mail or electronically, or both. This was a one-time collection requirement and the burden hours will be removed through this revision.

These data serve as input for a variety of uses, such as: biological analyzes and stock assessments; E.O. 12291 regulatory impact analyzes; quota and allocation selections and monitoring; economic profitability profiles; trade and import tariff decisions; allocations of grant funds among states; identify ecological interactions among species. NMFS would be significantly hindered in its ability to fulfill the majority of its scientific research and fishery management missions without these data. It is anticipated that the information collected will be disseminated to the public or used to support publicly disseminated information. As explained in the preceding paragraphs, the information gathered has utility. NMFS retains control over the information and safeguards it from improper access, modification, and destruction, consistent with NOAA standards for confidentiality, privacy, and electronic information. 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 measure and a pre-dissemination review pursuant to Section 515 of the 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.

Regarding the permitting data collection, the Southeast Region's Web site (http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/permits/permits.htm) allows the public to obtain a copy of the permit application, which can be downloaded and completed electronically, printed and mailed. The Southeast Region Permits Team has switched from a non-web client-server application (R-base) to a relational database web application (PIMS), and is actively investigating opportunities to implement online application capabilities.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.

The Magnuson-Stevens Act's operational guidelines require each FMP to evaluate existing state and federal laws that govern the fisheries in question, and the findings are made part of each FMP. Each Fishery Management Council membership is comprised of state and federal officials responsible for resource management in their area. These two circumstances identify other collections that may be gathering the same or similar information. In addition, each FMP undergoes extensive public comment periods where potential applicants review the proposed permit application requirements. Therefore, NMFS is confident it is aware of similar collections if they exist. The other information proposed to be collected is not being collected elsewhere; therefore, this data collection would not cause duplication.

5. If the collection of information involves small businesses or other small entities, describe the methods used to minimize burden.

Because all applicants are considered small businesses or small entities, separate requirements based on size of business have not been developed. Only the minimum data to meet the current and future needs of NMFS's fisheries management are requested from the vessel owners.

6. Describe the consequences to the Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently.

The Southeast Region’s three fishery management councils established by Congress are expected to fulfill the mandates of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. These mandates are accomplished through fishery management plans for marine finfish and crustaceans that support important commercial and recreational fisheries in the GOM, South Atlantic Ocean, and Caribbean Sea and consider conservation and management issues, sociological and economic issues, and regulatory issues. Functions and activities required to fulfill this and other responsibilities as specified in the Magnuson-Stevens Act include: providing guidance on fisheries management; providing technical assistance and advise in preparing FMPs in accordance with national standard guidelines and other applicable laws; coordinating public review and compilation of comments; initiating Secretarial review of FMPs and amendments; drafting regulations and Federal Register Notices, as well as reviewing and responding to comments received during rulemaking; FMP implementation; and monitoring.

A major component of fisheries management in the Southeast Region is the permit system and the information collected by these permits. Without the collection of this information, mandates developed through fishery management plans cannot be fulfilled.

7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.

There are no special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.

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 proposed rule, 0648-BB58, was published on December 19, 2012 (77 FR 75093), describing program changes to this information collection and requesting public comment.

The SERO Permits Office in Saint Petersburg, FL has received, in the past two years, informal comments regarding the permit application process. Several comments concerned the large volume of instructions. The SERO Permits Office is currently working to reduce the volume of instructions for their permits as well as improve their readability.

These data collection programs are all part of FMPs or amendments to these FMPs. As such, public comments were solicited for all parts of the rule, including the collection of information requests. As part of the FMP development process, public hearings are held throughout the region soliciting comments from constituents about any part of the proposed FMP and associated rule. Additionally, upon publication of the Notice of Availability of the Amendment in the Federal Register, the public has 60 days to comment on the Amendment. Likewise, upon publication of the proposed rule, which includes any reporting requirements, the public has 45 days to comment on the rule and its associated collections. Also, notices were published regarding all aspects of the collection discussed earlier in this supporting statement.

9. Explain any decisions to provide payments or gifts to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

There are no payments or other remunerations 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 forms, all data submitted under the proposed collection will be handled as confidential material in accordance with the MSA, Section 402b, and NOAA Administrative Order 216-100, Protection of Confidential Fishery Statistics.

This information collection is included in a comprehensive NMFS Permits and Registrations System of Records Notice, COMMERCE/NOAA #19, Permits and Registrations for U.S. Federally Regulated Fisheries, published 04/17/2008 and effective 06/11/2008.

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 asked.

12. Provide an estimate in hours of the burden of the collection of information.

Current estimated burden hours for this collection of information total 6,041 hours, increased from 3,927 hours. See table below for current respondents, responses and hours.

Form/Notification /Endorsement	Total Number of Respondents	Annual Number of Responses	Time per Response	Total Time Hours
Rockfish Commercial Vessel Monitoring System Installation	0	0	10 minutes	0
Rockfish Commercial Vessel Monitoring System Maintenance	168	168	2 hours	336
Notification of Lost or Stolen Traps	2	2	5 minutes	10 minutes (0 in ROCIS)
Notification of Authorization for Trap Retrieval	7	7	15 minutes	1.75 hours (2 hours)
Zone Transit Notification	5	5	5 minutes	25 minutes, rounded up to 1 in ROCIS
Annual Landings Report Gulf of Mexico Shrimp	2500	2500	5 minutes	208 hours
Annual Dealer Permit	426	426	20.3 minutes*	144 hours
Permit for Vessel Fishing for Wreckfish off the S. Atlantic	7	7	30 minutes	3.5 (4) hours
Three-Year Permits for Operators of vessels fishing for Dolphin/Wahoo or Rock shrimp (annualized)	614	614	25 minutes	256 hours
Permits for Fishing in the EEZ	7,412	7,412	40 minutes	4,941 hours
Reef Fish Permit Consolidation	0	0	5 minutes	0
Transfer notarization	1,710	1,710	5 minutes	143 hours
Change of Information for permit holders	0	0	5 minutes	0
Colombian Treaty Waters	5	5	30 minutes	2.5 (3) hours
Aquacultured Live Rock Harvest Application	18	18	5 minutes	1.5 (2) hours
Aquacultured Live Rock Site Evaluation	1	1	45 minutes	1
Aquacultured Live Rock Deposit	1	1	5 minutes	0
Notice of Intent to Harvest Aquacultured Live Rock	1	1	5 minutes	0
Royal Red Shrimp Application	0	0	22 minutes	0
Fishery Bulletin Option Postcard	0	0	0	0
Total	12,877**	12,877		6,041

*Spreading burden for new email accounts over all respondents.

**11,706 unduplicated: respondents for vessel permits, dealer permits, operator permits and aquaculture.

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to the respondents or record-keepers resulting from the collection (excluding the value of the burden hours in Question 12 above).

The total annual cost burden for this collection of information is $490, 634, decreased from the most recently approved total of $694,185.

EEZ fishery vessel permit fees: 7,312 x ($25 + $17*) (*$10 for each additional permit/endorsement: estimate 1.7 additional fisheries) = 307,104 plus Highly Migratory Species Commercial Caribbean Small Boat permit (HMS CCSB) - $2,500 (100 responses x $25)	$309,604
Floy tags for Black Sea Bass Pot Endorsement holders (27 participants x 35 tags x $1.80) – sent with permit application fees	$1,701
Operator card permit fees (614 x $50)	$30,700
Aquacultured live rock permit fees (18 x $31)	$558
Wreckfish permit fees (7 x $50)	$350
Dealer permit fees 426 x ($50 + $20) ($12.50 for each additional fishery: estimate 1.6 additional fisheries)	$29,820
Rock Shrimp VMS Manufacturer Monthly Fee x 12: (168 vessels x $30.5/mo x 12 mo)	$61,488
Rock Shrimp VMS Transmission Costs: (168 vessels x $200/yr)	$33,600
Transfer notarization (1,710 x $10)	$17,100
Mail Costs	$5,713
TOTAL	$490,634

These numbers were provided as of November 2012.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government.

There are currently no costs to the government beyond regular staff hours: 38,364 hours (3 hours per response) at a cost to the government of $15/hour, or $579,510.

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments.

Program Change:

The Fishery Bulletin Option postcard was a one-time collection; 8,837 responses and 295 hours are removed. There was no associated recordkeeping/reporting cost.

Adjustments: There is a net decrease of 266 responses and a net increase of 2,409 burden hours in addition to the program change above.

The number of EEZ fishing permits and endorsements issued as of November 2012 is 7,412, decreased from 8,072. Wreckfish permits also decreased from 10 to 7. However, Dolphin/Wahoo or Rock Shrimp Operator Permit Applications increased to 614 from 421, and NMFS estimates 1,710 transfer notarizations on an annual basis instead of 1,506.

There have also been several increases to estimated response times, based on respondent feedback:

• For the Federal Permit Application Form for Fishing in the EEZ, average time is 40 minutes instead of 20 minutes – including renewals.

• The Wreckfish Permit Application and the Columbian Treaty Water Application Forms are now estimated to average 30 minutes per response instead of 20 minutes

• Dolphin/Wahoo or Rock Shrimp Permit Applications are now estimated to average 25 minutes per response instead of 20 minutes.

There is expected to be one Live Rock site evaluation added, for a total of 45 minutes (1 hour)

There is a net decrease of $203,551 (adjustments only)-- from $694,185 to $490,634, due to adjustments made by the Southeast Regional Office to update the number of permit holders and fees found in the responses to Question 13.

16. For collections whose results will be published, outline the plans for tabulation and publication.

The results from this collection are not planned for statistical publication, although NOAA Fisheries may distribute the results of the observations for general information.

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.

Not Applicable.

B. COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS

This collection does not employ statistical methods.

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