0213 Supporting Statement 021015_comments added

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

ALASKA REGION LOGBOOK FAMILY OF FORMS

OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0213

This action is a request for revision and extension of this information collection. Two information collections have been removed and transferred to OMB Control No. 0648-0515.

INTRODUCTION

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. (Magnuson-Stevens Act) authorizes the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) to prepare and amend fishery management plans for any fishery in waters under its jurisdiction. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Alaska Region manages: 1) the crab fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) waters off the coast of Alaska under the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab; 2) groundfish under the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area; and 3) groundfish under the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska. The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) and NMFS manage fishing for Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) through regulations established under the authority of the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982. The IPHC promulgates regulations governing the halibut fishery under the Convention between the United States and Canada for the Preservation of the Halibut Fishery of the Northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea.

NMFS provides paper logbooks under this information collection and electronic logbooks under OMB Control Number 0648-0515 for use by the fishing industry. Catcher vessels under 60 ft. (18.3 m) length overall (LOA) are not required to maintain a Federal logbook. In addition to recording groundfish, the longline or pot gear daily fishing logbooks (DFLs) for catcher vessels and daily cumulative production logbooks (DCPLs) catcher/processors are used by operators or managers to record Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Pacific halibut, IFQ sablefish, Western Alaska Community Development Quota Program (CDQ) halibut, and Crab Rationalization Program (CR) crab information. Multiple self-copy logsheets within each logbook are available for distribution to the harvester, processor, observer program, and NOAA Fisheries Office for Law Enforcement (OLE). The longline or pot gear logbooks have an additional logsheet for submittal to the IPHC.

To minimize the recordkeeping costs to the fishing industry associated with fishery management requirements, the logbooks are designed to provide a convenient method to enter information that serves both the business needs of the fishing industry and the data collection requirements of NMFS.

JUSTIFICATION

This information collection consists of paper logbooks and reports to be submitted by the respondents to NMFS Alaska Region for management of the groundfish fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI) and the Gulf of Alaska (GOA); for management of the IFQ halibut and sablefish fisheries, and for management of the CR crab fisheries.

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

The Magnuson-Stevens Act states that the collection of reliable data is essential to the effective conservation, management, and scientific understanding of the fishery resources of the United States. The best available biological and socioeconomic information is necessary in order to promote successful management of groundfish resources, as well as incidentally caught crab, Pacific halibut, and salmon. All vessels of the U.S. harvesting EEZ fish and shoreside processors, stationary floating processors (SFPs), and motherships receiving EEZ-caught fish are required to hold a Federal permit and thus comply with reporting requirements. Data collected are used for making in-season and inter-season management decisions that affect the groundfish resources and the fishing industry that utilizes them.

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 collected from logbooks, in addition to participant identification, includes fishing effort, landings data, and employment data. The daily fishing logbooks (DFLs) also collect information on discard and disposition.

Logbook information is used:

♦ by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and OLE during vessel boardings and site visits to ensure conservation of groundfish, compliance to regulations, and reporting accuracy by the fishing industry

♦ by the NMFS Observer Program for vessel position coordinates and observer coverage information

The collection of data through use of paper logbooks in the Alaska Region is decreasing due to the availability of electronic logbooks (see OMB No. 0648-0515). The electronic logbook (eLog) contains all of the fields formerly collected through the paper logbook and uses pull-down screens for increased efficiency.

a. Mothership Daily Cumulative Production Logbook (DCPL) [REMOVED; Moved to OMB 0648-0515, Mothership eLog]

The operator of a mothership that is required to have a Federal Fisheries Permit (FFP) under

§ 679.4(b) must record and report daily processor identification information, catch-by-haul landing information, groundfish production data, and groundfish and prohibited species discard or disposition data in a Mothership DCPL.

b. Catcher/processor trawl gear DCPL [REMOVED; Moved to OMB 0648-0515, Catcher/processor Trawl Gear eLog]

The operator of a catcher/processor that is required to have an FFP under § 679.4(b) and that is using trawl gear to harvest groundfish must record and report daily processor identification information, catch-by-haul landing information, groundfish production data, and groundfish and prohibited species discard or disposition data.

c. Catcher/processor longline and pot gear DCPL

The operator of a catcher/processor that is required to have an FFP under § 679.4(b) and that uses longline or pot gear to harvest groundfish or to harvest IFQ sablefish, IFQ halibut, or CDQ halibut from the GOA or BSAI or uses pot gear to harvest CR crab from the BSAI must use a combination of catcher/processor longline and pot gear DCPL and Catcher/processor Longline & Pot gear eLog (see OMB Control Number 0648-0515) to record and report daily processor identification information, catch-by-set information, groundfish production data, and groundfish and prohibited species discard or disposition data. The operator must record processor identification information and catch-by-set information in the DCPL during the time the landings information is recorded in the eLog and submitted to NMFS.

The dual recordkeeping in the DCPL and in eLandings may require some extra organization; however, the estimated time to record information in the two systems remains the same as recording in the DCPL. The miscellaneous costs are lowered, however, because the operator is not required to submit the yellow logsheets quarterly to NMFS. The operator must account for each day of the fishing year, January 1 through December 31 and indicate whether the processor was active or inactive during the time period.

If inactive, the operator must record the following on one logsheet in the DCPL:

Record vessel name, ADF&G processor code, FFP number, operator printed name, operator signature, and

page number.

Mark “inactive.”

Record the date (mm/dd) of the first day when inactive under “Start date.”

Write brief explanation why inactive, e.g., bad weather or equipment failure. If inactive due to surrender

of a FFP, write “surrender of permit” as the reason for inactivity.

Record the date (mm/dd) of the last day when inactive under “End date.”

If the inactive time period extends across two or more successive quarters, the operator must complete a logsheet for each inactive quarter. The logsheet created for an inactive quarter must indicate the first and last day of the respective inactive quarter

A longline and pot catcher/processor eLog is currently available and is required for all but 6 catcher/processors.

Catcher/processor, longline, or pot gear DCPL

Identification

Page number

Date

Name and ADF&G processor code of catcher/processor

Federal crab vessel permit number or FFP number

Operator name and signature

If inactive, mark box and enter start date, end date, and reason not active

Federal reporting area of catch

Number of observers onboard

Name and cruise number of each observer aboard

Crew size

Operator IFQ permit number

Crew IFQ permit number(s)

CDQ group number

Halibut CDQ permit number

If a separate management program, mark appropriate box and enter identifying number

Gear type

Catch by set

Set number

Date and time gear set

Date and time gear hauled

Location of set

Buoy or bag number (optional)

Begin position of set; end position of haul

Begin and end depth

If gear type is hook and line

Whether fixed hook (conventional or tub), autoline, or snap gear

Length of skate (ft)

Hook size, spacing (ft), and number of hooks per skate

Bird avoidance gear code

Gear ID (transfer alpha letter from gear type box)

Number of skates or pots set

Number of skates or pots lost (if applicable)

Species code and estimated round catch weight of IR/IU species

Target species code

Weight of CDQ or IFQ halibut (pounds)

Number and weight of IFQ sablefish in round weight, western cut, or eastern cut

Number and weight of CR crab

Hail weight of catch

Changed number of respondents from 140 to 6 due to program change requiring Catcher/processor Longline & Pot Gear respondents to use eLog instead of DCPL. Only six respondents remain that use the paper DCPL Changed personnel cost from $25/hr to $37/hr.

Catcher/processor longline and pot gear DCPL, Respondent
Total number of respondents 3 longline 3 pot Total annual responses (203 x 6) Average 200 active (fishing or processing) days Average 3 inactive days Total Burden Hours (821.50) Time/active response (41 min x 200 x 6 = 820) Time/inactive response (5 min x 3 x 6 = 1.5) Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 822) Total miscellaneous cost	6 1,218 822 hr $30,414 0

Catcher/processor longline and pot gear DCPL, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total Burden Hours Prepare and mail one DCPL (30 min x 2 x 6) Total Personnel cost ($37/hr x 6 = 222) Total Miscellaneous Cost ($12 x 6 x 2 for printing of DCPLs = $144) ($5 x 6 x 2 for postage to mail DCPLs = $60)	6 6 hr $222 $204

d. Catcher Vessel trawl gear daily fishing logbook (DFL)

The operator of a catcher vessel 60 ft. (18.3 m) or greater LOA, that is required to have an FFP under § 679.4(b), and that is using trawl gear to harvest groundfish must maintain a trawl gear DFL. The operator must complete one or more logsheets per day. A trawl gear catcher vessel eLogbook (see OMB 0648-0515) is available for use instead of the DFL.

The operator must account for each day of the fishing year, January 1 through December 31, in the DFL and indicate whether the vessel was active or inactive during the time period.

Distribution of Logsheets

The white copy is the Vessel copy; stays in logbook

The goldenrod is the Observer copy; give to observer

The blue copy is the Discard Report; give to processor when delivering catch

The yellow copies of the DFL must be submitted to OLE each quarter to the

address below

Quarter	Submit by
January 1 – March 31	May 1
April 1 – June 30	August 1
July 1 – September 30	November 1
October 1 – December 31	February of following year

NOAA Fisheries Office for Law Enforcement

Alaska Region Logbook Program

P.O. Box 21767

Juneau, Alaska 99802-1767

If inactive, the operator must record the following on one logsheet in the DFL:

Record vessel name, ADF&G vessel registration number, FFP number, operator printed name, operator

signature, and page number

Mark “inactive.”

Record the date (mm/dd) of the first day when inactive under “Start date.”

Write brief explanation why inactive, e.g., bad weather or equipment failure. If inactive due to surrender of a FFP, write “surrender of permit” as the reason for inactivity.

Record the date (mm/dd) of the last day when inactive under “End date.”

If active, the operator must record the following on one logsheet in the DFL

Catcher Vessel trawl gear DFL

Identification

Page number

Date

Vessel name and ADF&G vessel registration number

FFP number

Name and signature of operator

If inactive, enter start date, end date, and reason for inactivity

Gear type

Federal reporting area of catch

Whether harvest occurred in COBLZ or RKCSA

Number of observers onboard

Name and cruise number of each observer aboard

Crew size

If in a separate management program, mark appropriate box and enter identification number

Catch by haul information

Haul number

Time and begin position of gear deployment

Date, time, and end position of gear retrieval

Average sea depth and average gear depth

Target species code

Hail weight (lb or mt)

Discard/disposition information

Whether deliveries are unsorted cod ends or presorted at sea

If presorted at sea, enter discard/disposition species information

whether records in pounds or metric tons

daily total, balance forward, and cumulative total since last delivery

species and product codes

Delivery information

Delivery date

ADF&G fish ticket number

Recipient’s name and ADF&G processor code

Changed number of respondents from 189 to 152. Changed personnel costs from $25/hr to $37/hr.

Catcher vessel trawl gear DFL, Respondent
Estimated number of respondents Total annual responses Average 34 active days x 152 = 5168 Average 3 inactive days x 152 = 456 Total Burden Hours (1725.20) Time/active response (18 min x 5168 = 1580.4 Time/inactive response (5 min x 456 = 38 Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 1725) Total miscellaneous cost Cost to mail DFL logsheets ($2.50 x 4 qtr x 152)	152 5,624 1618.4 hr $59,866 $1,520

Catcher Vessel trawl gear DFL, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total Burden Hours (182.40) Review, data entry, filing quarterly = 3 min Handling 4 quarters (152 x 4 x 3 = 30.40) Prepare and mail one DFL (30 min) Mailing all DFLs (152 x 30 x 2 = 152) Total Personnel cost (37/hr x 182) Total Miscellaneous Cost ($12 x 152 x 2 for printing of DFLs = $3648) ($5 x 152 x 2 for postage to mail DFLs = $1520)	5,624 182 hr $6,734 $5,168

e. Catcher vessel longline and pot gear DFL

The operator of a catcher vessel 60 ft (18.3 m) or greater length overall, that is required to have an FFP under § 679.4(b) and that uses longline or pot gear to harvest groundfish; uses fixed gear (NMFS), setline (IPHC), or pot gear to harvest IFQ sablefish, IFQ halibut, or CDQ halibut from the GOA or BSAI; or uses pot gear to harvest Crab Rationalization Program (CR) crab from the BSAI must maintain a longline and pot gear DFL. A longline and pot catcher vessel eLogbook (see OMB 0648-0515) is available for use instead of the DFL.

Distribution of Logsheets

The white copy is the Vessel copy; stays in logbook

The goldenrod is the Observer copy; give to observer

The blue copy is the Discard Report; give to processor when delivering catch

The yellow copies of the DFL must be submitted to OLE each quarter to the

address below

Quarter	Submit by
January 1 – March 31	May 1
April 1 – June 30	August 1
July 1 – September 30	November 1
October 1 – December 31	February of following year

NOAA Fisheries Office for Law Enforcement

Alaska Region Logbook Program

P.O. Box 21767

Juneau, Alaska 99802-1767

The operator must account for each day of the fishing year, January 1 through December 31, in the DFL and indicate whether the vessel was active or inactive during the time period.

If inactive, the operator must record the following on one logsheet in the DFL:

Record vessel name, ADF&G vessel registration number, FFP number, operator printed name, operator signature, and page number

Mark “inactive.”

Record the date (mm/dd) of the first day when inactive under “Start date.”

Write brief explanation why inactive, e.g., bad weather or equipment failure. If inactive due to surrender of a FFP, write “surrender of permit” as the reason for inactivity.

Record the date (mm/dd) of the last day when inactive under “End date.”

If the inactive time period extends across two or more successive quarters, the operator must complete a logsheet for each inactive quarter. The logsheet created for an inactive quarter must indicate the first and last day of the respective inactive quarter

Catcher vessel, longline or pot gear DFL

Identification

Page number

Name and ADF&G vessel registration number of vessel

FFP number or Federal crab vessel permit number of vessel

Name and signature of operator

If inactive, enter start date, end date, and reason for inactivity

Federal reporting area of catch

Number of observers onboard

Name and cruise number of observer(s)

Crew size

Indicate type of harvest gear.

If hook and line

Whether fixed hook (conventional or tub), autoline, or snap gear

Length of skate (ft)

Hook size, spacing (ft), and number of hooks per skate

Bird avoidance gear code

Operator IFQ permit number

Crew IFQ permit number(s)

CDQ group number

Halibut CDQ permit number

If harvest in a special Management program, mark box and enter identification number

Catch by set information

Set number

Date and time gear set

Date and time of gear hauled

Location of set

Buoy or bag number (optional)

Begin and end position in latitude and longitude (to the nearest minute)

Begin and end depth (fathoms)

Enter gear ID from top of page

Number of skates or pots set

Number of skates or pots lost (if applicable)

Target species code

Weight of IFQ or CDQ halibut (pounds)

Weight of IFQ sablefish in round weight, western cut or eastern cut

Number of IFQ sablefish (optional)

Weight of CR crab in pounds

Number of CR crab

Hail weight of catch (circle lb or mt)

Discard/disposition information

Date of discard/disposition

Whether records in pounds or metric tons

Daily total, balance forward, and cumulative total since last delivery

Species and product codes

Delivery information

Date of delivery

ADF&G fish ticket number

Recipient’s name or IFQ registered buyer

Unloading port

Changed number of respondents from 350 to 210. Changed personnel cost from $25/hr to $37/hr.

Catcher vessel longline or pot gear DFL, Respondent
Estimated number of respondents Total annual responses (37 x 210) Average 34 active (fishing) days Average 3 inactive days Total Burden Hours (3384.50) Time per active response (28 min x 34 x 210 = 3332) Time per inactive response (5 min x 3 x 210 = 52.50 Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 3385) Total miscellaneous cost Mail DFL logsheets ($2.50 x 4 qtr x 210)	210 7,770 3,385 hr $125,245 $2,100

Catcher Vessel longline or pot gear DFL, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total Burden Hours Review, data entry, and file quarterly (3 min) Handle all 4 quarters (210 x 4 x 3 min = 42) Prepare and mail one DFL (30 min) Mail all DFLs (210 x 30 x 2 = 210) Total Personnel cost ($37/hr x 182) Total Miscellaneous Cost Print DFLs ($12 x 210 x 2 = $5040) Postage ($5 x 210 x 2 = $2100)	7,770 252 hr $6,734 $7,140

f. Shoreside Processor Check-in/check-out reports.

The manager of a shoreside processor or SFP is required to submit a check-in report (BEGIN message) prior to participation in a groundfish fishery and to submit a check-out report (CEASE message) upon completion of that participation.

The check‑in/check‑out information is used by NMFS in-season managers to monitor the fishing capacity and effort in fishery allocations and quotas.

The manager of a shoreside processor or SFP must submit

♦ A check-in report (BEGIN message) -- if continually active through the end of one fishing year and at the beginning of a second fishing year, submit a check-in to start the year on January 1.

♦ A check-out report (CEASE) – if a check-out report was not previously submitted during a fishing year, submit a check-out report on December 31.

In addition, the manager of an American Fisheries Act (AFA) SFP must submit:

♦ A BEGIN message before receiving groundfish after a change of location.

♦ A CEASE message upon completion of receipt of groundfish from a position and before movement from that position.

The shoreside processor check-in and check-out report is available at http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/rr/forms/chckss.pdf.

Shoreside processor check-in/check-out report

Processor name and ADF&G processor code

Federal processor permit (FPP) number

Representative name, business telephone number, and business fax number

If check-in report

Indicate that this is a check-in report

Indicate if checking in for the first time this fishing year

Indicate if checking in t to restart receipt and processing of groundfish after filing a check-out report

Whether an original or revised report

Date and time receipt of groundfish will begin

If SFP, give latitude and longitude of position where receiving groundfish

If check-out report

Indicate that this is a check-out report

Whether an original or revised report

Date and time when the last receipt or processing of groundfish was completed

Indicate product weight of all fish or fish products (including non-groundfish) remaining at the facility (other than public cold storage) by species codes and product code. Indicate if recorded to the nearest 0.001 mt.

Changed number of respondents from 119 to 124. Changed cost of personnel from $25/hr to $37/hr.

Shoreside processor Check-in/out Report, Respondent
Total number of respondents Shoreside processors = 110 Stationary floating processors = 14 Total annual responses No. responses = 30 Total Burden Hours Time per response (5 min) Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 310) Total miscellaneous cost Fax ($6 x 14 x 30 = 2520) e-mail ($0.05 x 110 x 30 = 165) Photocopy (.05 x 30 x 124 = 186)	124 3,720 310 hr $11,470 $2,871

Shoreside processor Check-in/out Report, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total Burden Hours Time per response (5 min) Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 310) Total miscellaneous cost	3,720 310 hr $11,470 0

g. Vessel Activity Report (VAR).

The operator of a catcher vessel greater than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA, a catcher/processor, or a mothership required to hold an FFP issued under § 679.4 and carrying fish or fish product onboard must complete and submit a VAR by fax or electronic file to OLE, Juneau, AK (907-586-7313) before the vessel crosses the seaward boundary of the EEZ off Alaska or crosses the U.S.-Canadian international boundary between Alaska and British Columbia.

The OLE personnel and USCG boarding officers use VAR information to audit and separate product inventory when boarding a vessel. If a vessel does not file a VAR and has fish or fish product onboard when it enters the EEZ off Alaska, NMFS assumes the fish were harvested in U.S. waters. Without this requirement to submit a form prior to crossing, vessel operators may be more inclined to illegally fish in Federal waters and claim retained product was harvested from foreign or international waters.

If a vessel is carrying non-IFQ groundfish and IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, IFQ sablefish or CR crab, the operator must submit a VAR in addition to an IFQ Departure Report required by §679.5(l)(4).

If fish or fish products are landed at a port other than the one specified on the VAR, the operator must submit a revised VAR showing the actual port of landing before any fish are offloaded.

A VAR is not required if a vessel is carrying only IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, or CR crab onboard and the operator has submitted an IFQ Departure Report required by §679.5(l)(4).

Vessel Activity Report (VAR)

Whether an original or revised report

Vessel name and FFP number or RCR permit number

Vessel type

Representative name, telephone number, fax number, and COMSAT number (if available)

If a “return report”

Intended Alaska port of landing

Date and time (Greenwich Mean Time) vessel will cross boundary

Latitude and longitude where vessel will cross

If a “depart report”

Intended U.S. port of landing or country other than the United States

Date and time (Greenwich Mean Time) vessel will cross boundary

Latitude and longitude where vessel will cross

Russian Zone -- whether vessel is returning from or departing to fish in the Russian zone

Fish or fish product (including non-groundfish) onboard the vessel when crossing

Harvest zone code where groundfish were harvested

Species code

Product code

Total product weight of fish product onboard in pounds or to the nearest 0.001 mt

Changed personnel costs from $25/hr to $37/hr. Changed number of respondents from 203 to 194.

Vessel Activity Report, Respondent
Total number of respondents Total annual responses No. responses per respondent = 1 Total Burden Hours (45.27) Time per response (14 min) Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 45) Total miscellaneous cost (465.65) Fax($6 x 75 = 450) e-mail ($.05 x 119 = 5.95) photocopy (.05 x 194 = 9.70)	194 194 45 hr $1,665 $466

Vessel Activity Report, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total Burden Hours Time per response (30 min) Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 97) Total miscellaneous cost	194 97 hr $3,589 0

h. Buying station report (BSR) [REMOVED; Moved to OMB 0648-0515, now done as a landing report]

The operator or manager of a buying station that receives or delivers groundfish harvested from the GOA or BSAI in association with a shoreside processor, SFP, or a mothership must complete and retain a separate BSR for each delivery of unprocessed groundfish or donated prohibited species received from a catcher vessel on behalf of an associated processor.  

The BSR was operationally replaced with a processor tender interface accessed through eLandings (see OMB Control No. 0648-0515).  Records created onboard tenders during deliveries from catcher vessels are recorded on a thumb drive; the records on the thumb drive are uploaded by the processor.  For a description of this thumb drive operation, go to: https://elandings.atlassian.net/wiki/display/doc/Processor+Tender+Interface+Users+Guide.

i. Product Transfer Report (PTR).

With exceptions listed below, the operator or manager must record on a PTR those species that are listed in Tables 2a and 2c to part 679 when those species are transferred out of the facility or off the vessel and may also record species listed in Table 2d to part 679.

The PTR information is used by OLE to verify the accuracy of reported shipments through physical inspections. OLE uses the PTR to monitor movement of product in and out of the processor on a timely basis. A PTR is not required to accompany a shipment.

♦ Groundfish. The operator of a mothership or catcher/processor or the manager of a shoreside processor or SFP must complete and submit a separate PTR for each shipment of groundfish and donated prohibited species caught in groundfish fisheries.

♦ IFQ Pacific halibut, IFQ sablefish, and CDQ Pacific halibut. A Registered Buyer must submit a separate PTR for each shipment of halibut or sablefish, other than those conducting dockside sales, for which the Registered Buyer submitted an IFQ landing report or was required to submit an IFQ landing report

♦ CR crab. A Registered Crab Receiver (RCR) must submit a separate PTR for each shipment of crab for which the RCR submitted a CR crab landing report or was required to submit a CR crab landing report.

Exceptions to submittal requirements

♦ Bait sales (non-IFQ groundfish only). During one calendar day, the operator or manager may aggregate and record on one PTR the individual sales or shipments of non-IFQ groundfish to vessels for bait purposes during the day recording the amount of such bait product shipped from a vessel or facility that day.

♦ Retail sales, IFQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, CDQ halibut, and non-IFQ groundfish. During one calendar day, the operator, manager, or Registered Buyer may aggregate and record on one PTR the amount of transferred retail product of IFQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, CDQ halibut, and non-IFQ groundfish if each sale weighs less than 10 lb or 4.5 kg.

♦ Retail sales, CR crab. During one calendar day, the RCR may aggregate and record on one PTR the amount of transferred retail product of CR crab if each sale weighs less than 100 lb or 45 kg.

♦ Wholesale sales (non-IFQ groundfish only). The operator or manager may aggregate and record on one PTR, wholesale sales of non-IFQ groundfish by species when recording the amount of such wholesale species leaving a vessel or facility in one calendar day, if invoices detailing destinations for the entire product are available for inspection by an authorized officer.

Time limits and submittal.

The operator of a mothership or catcher/processor, the manager of a shoreside processor or SFP, the Registered Buyer, or RCR must:

♦ Record all product transfer information on a PTR within 2 hours of the completion of the shipment.

♦ Submit a PTR by fax or electronic file to OLE, Juneau, AK (907-586-7313), by 1200 hours, A.l.t., on the Tuesday following the end of the applicable weekly reporting period in which the shipment occurred.

♦ If any information on the original PTR changes prior to the first destination of the shipment, submit a revised PTR by facsimile or electronic file to OLE, Juneau, AK (907-586-7313), by 1200 hours, A.l.t., on the Tuesday following the end of the applicable weekly reporting period in which the change occurred.

Product Transfer Report (PTR)

Indicate whether an original or revised PTR

Shipper information

If shipping

non-IFQ groundfish, processor’s name, FFP or FPP number

IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut or IFQ sablefish, Registered Buyer name and permit number

CR crab, RCR name and permit number

non-IFQ groundfish, IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut or IFQ sablefish, and CR crab on the same PTR

Processor name and FFP or FPP number

Registered Buyer name and permit number

RCR name and permit number

Representative name, telephone number and fax number

Start date, start time, finish date, and finish time of product transfer

Transfer information (see table)

Enter receiver information, date and time of product transfer, location of product transfer (e.g., port, position coordinates, or city), mode of transportation, and intended route

If you are the shipper and …	Then enter …
	Receiver	Date & time of product transfer	Location of product transfer	Mode of transportation & intended route
Receiver is on land and transfer involves one van, truck, or vehicle.	Receiver name and Federal fisheries, Federal processor, or Federal crab vessel permit number (if any).	Date/time when shipment leaves the plant.	Port or city of product transfer.	Name of the shipping company; destination city and state or foreign country.
Receiver is on land and transfer involves multiple vans, trucks or vehicles.	Receiver name and Federal fisheries, Federal processor, or Federal crab vessel permit number (if any).	Date/time when loading of vans or trucks is completed each day.	Port or city of product transfer.	Name of the shipping company; destination city and state or foreign country.
Receiver is on land and transfer involves one airline flight.	Receiver name and Federal fisheries, Federal processor, or Federal crab vessel permit number (if any).	Date/time when shipment leaves the plant.	Port or city of product transfer.	Name of the airline company; destination airport city and state.
Receiver is on land and transfer involves multiple airline flights.	Receiver name and Federal fisheries, Federal processor, or Federal crab vessel permit number (if any).	Date/time of shipment when the last airline flight of the day leaves.	Port or city of product transfer.	Name of the airline company(s); destination airport(s) city and state.
Receiver is a vessel and transfer occurs at sea.	Vessel name and call sign	Start/finish dates and times of transfer.	Transfer position coordinates in latitude and longitude, in degrees and minutes.	The first destination of the vessel.
Receiver is a vessel and transfer takes place in port.	Vessel name and call sign	Start/finish dates and times of transfer.	Port or position of product transfer.	The first destination of the vessel.
Receiver is an agent (buyer, distributor, shipping agent) and transfer is in a containerized van(s).	Agent name and location (city, state).	Transfer start/finish dates and times.	Port, city, or position of product transfer.	Name (if available) of the vessel transporting the van; destination port.
You are aggregating individual retail sales for human consumption. (see paragraph (g)(2) of this section).	“RETAIL SALES”	Date of transfer.	Port or city of product transfer.	N/A.
You are aggregating individual bait sales during a day onto one PTR (non-IFQ groundfish only).	“BAIT SALES”	Date of transfer.	Port or city of product transfer.	N/A.
Non-IFQ Groundfish only. You are aggregating wholesale non-IFQ ground-fish product sales by species during a single day onto one PTR and maintaining invoices detailing destinations for all of the product for inspection by an authorized officer.	“WHOLESALE SALES”	Time of the first sale of the day; time of the last sale of the day.	Port or city of product transfer.	N/A.

Products shipped

Species and product code

Species weight (use only if recording 2 or more species with 2 or more product types

contained within the same production unit)

Number of units

Unit weight (lb or kg); indicate which

Total weight (lb or kg); indicate which

Total or partial offload information (mothership or catcher/processor only)

Indicate whether the transfer is a total or partial offload

If a mothership or catcher/processor, the operator must indicate whether fish or fish products are left onboard the vessel (partial offload) after the shipment is complete.

If a partial offload, for the products remaining on board after the transfer, enter for each product

Species code

Product code

Total product weight to the nearest kg or lb (indicate which)

PTR, Respondent

Total number of Registered Buyer respondents IFQ Registered Buyers = 445 Groundfish Operator & managers = 337 CR crab RCRs = 50 Total annual responses No. responses per Registered Buyer = 12 x 445 = 5340 No. responses per Operator or manager = 35 x 337 = 11795 No. responses per CR crab RCR = 35 x 50 = 1750 Total Burden Hours for all responses Time per response (20 min) Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 6295) Total miscellaneous cost (2394.25) Photocopy (.05 x 18885 = 944.25) Fax ($6 x 85 = 510) email ($.05 x 18800 = 940)

832 18,885 6,295 hr $232,915 $2,394

Product Transfer Report, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total Burden Hours (3147.50) Time per response (10 min) Total personnel costs ($37/hr x 3148) Total miscellaneous costs	18,885 3,148 hr $116,476 0

It is anticipated that the information collected will be disseminated to the public or used to support publicly disseminated information. NOAA Fisheries 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 all applicable information quality guidelines. Prior to dissemination, the information will be subjected to quality control measures and a pre-dissemination 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.

All forms are available on the NMFS Alaska Region web page at http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/rr/default.htm. The forms are fillable for completion on screen, and may be printed and submitted to NMFS by email attachments or fax.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.

None of the information collected as part of this information collection duplicates other collections. This information collection is part of a specialized and technical program that is not like any other.

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

This information collection does not impose a significant impact on small entities.

NMFS estimated the number of small versus large entities by matching the gross earnings from all fisheries of record with the vessels, the known ownership of those vessels, and the known affiliations of those vessels in the groundfish fisheries for that year. Based on those earnings data, NMFS determined that there are 354 catcher vessels directly regulated by this action that had gross earnings less than $4.0 million, thus categorizing them as small entities based on the threshold that the Small Business Administration uses to define small fishing entities. For catcher/processors, 18 vessels had gross earnings less than $4 million, categorizing them as small entities. Due to their status as non-profit corporations, the CDQ groups are also considered to be small entities under the RFA.

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

The extension of the existing data collection is necessary for NMFS to continue efficient monitoring and effective management practices for the fisheries of the EEZ off the coast of Alaska. Without this collection, Federal management of the fisheries off the coast of Alaska would be severely hampered, resulting in adverse impacts on: the long-term biological stability and economic yield of the groundfish resource; the efficiency and economic viability of the domestic groundfish industry; and the credibility of the fishery management process itself.

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

No special circumstances exist.

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 Federal Register Notice was published on September 16, 2014 (79 FR 55431). Comment period ended November 17, 2014. No comments were received.

In addition, a questionnaire was prepared and sent to randomly selected respondents to request comments. Those comments will be added to this analysis. The questionnaire is appended.

SUMMARY OF COMMENTS __ 0213

OMB 0648-0213 – Expiration Date 03/31/2015

Catcher/processor Longline and Pot Gear Daily Cumulative Production Logbook – no comments

Catcher Vessel Trawl Gear Daily Fishing Logbook – no comments

Catcher Vessel Longline and Pot Gear Daily Fishing Logbook -- no comments

Shoreside Processor Check-in and Check-out Reports – no comments

Vessel Activity Report (VAR) -- one response, “no comments”

Buying Station Report (BSR) – no comments

Product Transfer Report (PTR) -- one comment

Comment: Re ways to minimize burden – have a page in eLandings or seaLandings to enter data

Response: NMFS agrees with the comment. NMFS set up meetings a few years ago with programmers and NOAA Office for Law Enforcement (OLE) to get the project started. However, programmers became busy with other tasks, personnel changed at OLE, and contracts changed with the contractor data technicians, so the project or even the subject has not been discussed in a long time.

NMFS feels it would greatly minimize the public burden to have the PTR, VAR, CI/CO, and IFQ departure report available in eLandings. The benefits would be two-fold as no paperwork would have to be filled out, faxed, and filed and the information needed from the forms would be available to OLE at their leisure via the agency desktop application.

Industry has also recommended NMFS do this, but ultimately it's up to OLE to give a thumbs up. We will follow up with OLE and attempt to have all the reports we listed available for data entry in eLandings in no less than two years from now.

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

No payment or gift to respondents is provided under this program.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

As stated on all forms, the information collected is confidential under section 402(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act as amended in 2006 (16 U.S.C. 1801, et seq.). It is also confidential under NOAA Administrative Order 216-100, which sets forth procedures to protect confidentiality of fishery statistics.

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.

This information collection does not involve information of a sensitive nature.

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

Estimated total unique respondents: 368, down from 781. Estimated total responses: 37,411, down from 79,018. Estimated total burden: 12,475 hr, down from 36,786 hr. Estimated total personnel costs (average wage equivalent to a GS-7 employee in Alaska, including COLA, at $37/hour): $4455,721, down from $1,027,625.

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).

Total estimated miscellaneous costs: $9,351, down from $24,536.

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

The estimated total responses: 36,199, down from 37,041. The estimated total burden: 3,995, down from 4,195 hours. The estimated total personnel cost: $ 145,225, up from $ 104,875. Total estimated miscellaneous cost: $ 12,512, down from $ 48,790.

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

The following adjustments are necessary in the following forms due to changes in number of respondents based on actual rather than estimated values and reduced costs based on increased electronic submission of documents.

Catcher vessel trawl gear DFL

a decrease of 7 respondents, 152 instead of 159

a decrease of 777 responses, 5,624 instead of 6401

a decrease of 836 hr burden, 1,618 instead of 2,454

an increase of $7,450 personnel costs, $63,825 instead of $56,375

a decrease of $70 miscellaneous costs, $1,520 instead of $1,590

Catcher vessel longline or pot gear DFL

a decrease of 40 respondents, 210 instead of 250

a decrease of 1,480 responses, 7,770 instead of 9,250

a decrease of 645 hr burden, 3,385 instead of 4,030 hr

an increase of $24,675 personnel costs, $125,425 instead of $100,750

a decrease of $400 miscellaneous costs, $2,100 instead of $2,500

Catcher/processor longline or pot gear DCPL

a decrease of 124 respondents, 6 instead of 130

a decrease of 18,473 responses, 1,218 instead of 19,691

a decrease of 12,460 hr burden, 822 instead of 13,282 hr

a decrease of $414,586 personnel costs, $30,414 instead of $445.000

Shoreside processor check-in/check-out report

an increase of 5 respondents, 124 instead of 119

an increase of 150 responses, 3,720 instead of 3,570

an increase of 12 hr burden, 310 instead of 298 hr

an increase of $4,020 personnel costs, $11,470 instead of $7,450

a decrease of $878 miscellaneous costs, $2,871 instead of $3,749

Product Transfer Report

an increase of $75,540 personnel costs, $232,915 instead of $157,375

a decrease of $13,150 miscellaneous costs, $2,394 instead of $15,544

Vessel Activity Report

a decrease of109 respondents and responses, 94 instead of 203

a decrease of 2 hr burden, 45 instead of 47 hr

an increase of $490 personnel costs, $1,665 instead of $1,175

a decrease of $1 miscellaneous costs, $466 instead of $467

Program Changes:

Mothership DCPL [REMOVED; Moved to OMB 0648-0515]

a decrease of 36 respondents, 0 instead of 36

a decrease of 7,308 responses, 0 instead of 7,308

a decrease of 3,729 hr burden, 0 instead of 3,729 hr

a decrease of $93,225 personnel costs, 0 instead of $93,225

Catcher/processor trawl gear DCPL [REMOVED; Moved to OMB 0648-0515]

a decrease of 31 respondents, 0 instead of 31

a decrease of 11,960 responses, 0 instead of 11,960

a decrease of 5,980 hr burden, 0 instead of 5,980 hr

a decrease of $149,500 personnel costs, 0 instead of $149,500

Buying station report

a decrease of 671 hr burden, 0 instead of 671 hr

a decrease of $16,775 personnel costs, $0 instead of $16,775

a decrease of $88 miscellaneous costs, 0 instead of $88.

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

No plans exist for publishing the results of the information collection.

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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