Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Scientific Research Permits, Exempted Fishing Permits, Letters of Acknowledgment, Display Permits, and Shark Research Fishery Permits

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
Annual reports Form and Instruction	Modified
Interim reports Form and Instruction	Modified
EFP, SRP, LOA and display permit applications Form and Instruction	Modified
Shark research permit applications Form and Instruction	Modified
0471 Supporting Statement 092514.docx Supporting Statement A	2014-09-25

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
181181	Shark permit notifical calls for observer coverage	Modified
181180	Tag applications	Modified
181178	Departure notification calls to enforcement for collection of display animals	Unchanged
181176	"No catch" reports	Modified
181172	Annual reports Form and Instruction	Modified
181165	Interim reports Form and Instruction	Modified
181163	Amendments to exempted fishing permits	Modified
181162	Scientiic research plans	Modified
181160	EFP, SRP, LOA and display permit applications Form and Instruction	Modified
181159	Shark research permit applications Form and Instruction	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 0648-0471	ICR Reference No: 201408-0648-009
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201105-0648-005
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Scientific Research Permits, Exempted Fishing Permits, Letters of Acknowledgment, Display Permits, and Shark Research Fishery Permits
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 12/31/2014
	Date Received in OIRA: 09/25/2014
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	12/31/2017	36 Months From Approved	12/31/2014
Responses	558	0	485
Time Burden (Hours)	217	0	236
Cost Burden (Dollars)	30	0	118

---

Abstract: The information is requested that will be used in support of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issuing Scientific Research Permits, Exempted Fishing Permits, Letters of Acknowledgment Display Permits, and Shark Research Fishery Permits regarding highly migratory species (HMS). This information will also enhance and facilitate NMFS' compliance and enforcement capabilities regarding HMS scientific research, industry related research, and exempted fishing activities. All information regarding mortality will be used in future stock assessments.

---

Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 16 USC 1801 Name of Law: Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006
   US Code: 16 USC 971-971i Name of Law: Atlantic Tunas Convention Act
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

---

Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

---

Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	79 FR 27861	05/15/2014
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	79 FR 57506	09/25/2014
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

---

Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 10

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Tag applications
Departure notification calls to enforcement for collection of display animals
"No catch" reports
Shark permit notifical calls for observer coverage
Shark research permit applications	NA	Federal Atlantic shark research permit requirements and application
Amendments to exempted fishing permits
Interim reports	NA	HMS EFP, SRP and display permit interim report and instructions
Scientiic research plans
EFP, SRP, LOA and display permit applications	NA	EFP, SRP, LOA and display permit requirements and application
Annual reports	NA	HMS ERP, SRP and display permit annual report and instructions

---

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	558	485	0	0	73	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	217	236	0	0	-19	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	30	118	0	0	-88	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: Adjustments: NMFS has updated the burden hour estimates based on average participation in the EFP program from 2011-2013. The decreases and minor increases in the estimates associated with the EFP program are as follows: the number of scientific research plans submitted decreased (from 11 to 7 research plans submitted), the number of applicants under the EFP program decreased (from 45 to 40 applications submitted), the number of calls to the Southeast Fisheries Science Center for NMFS observer coverage increased (from 180 calls to 312 calls), and the number of amendments requested each year decreased (from 24 amendments to 10). As a result of these revised estimates, there was a decrease of approximately 19 hours. This net change in burden hours is due in part to a decrease in respondents (a change from 75 to 57 respondents). However, there is an increase in the total number of responses (a change from 485 to 558 responses) caused by an increase in observer notification calls (these calls require a small amount of burden hours). The annual cost burden has decreased from $118 to $30 (a difference of $89). NMFS has estimated that most of this cost reduction is due to the increased amount of electronic correspondence between NMFS and respondents.

---

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $406,258

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

---

Common Form ICR:  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:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(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;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

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.

Certification Date: 09/25/2014

---