Justification for change

JUSTIFICATION FOR CHANGE

ALASKA PACIFIC HALIBUT FISHERIES: SUBSISTENCE REGISTRATION AND MARKING OF GEAR

OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0460

JUSTIFICATION: Add e-mail address to applications for a SHARC permit.

The United States (U.S.) and Canada participate in the International Pacific Halibut Commission and promulgate regulations governing the Pacific halibut fishery under the authority of the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 (Halibut Act).In October 2000, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) established the Alaska Subsistence Halibut Program. The regulations that govern the subsistence halibut fishery can be found at 50 CFR Part 300.

An eligible person may apply for a halibut subsistence permit by submitting an application to the Alaska Region, NMFS.

♦ Subsistence Halibut Registration Certificate (SHARC) Application for a Rural Resident

♦ Subsistence Halibut Registration Certificate (SHARC) Application for an Alaska Native Tribal Member

♦ Subsistence Halibut Registration Certificate (SHARC) Application for Alaska Native Tribe

This change would add a space for the e-mail address of the respondent applying for each of the permits. The change is necessary because if the respondent wants to renew a permit with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) on-line (not required, of course) they must provide a valid e-mail address for the database.

It is not expected that this change will add to the cost or burden of the respondents.

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