0589 Ss 072315

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

PACIFIC ISLANDS PELAGIC SQUID JIG FISHING PERMIT

OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0589

This request is for a revision and extension of a currently approved OMB collection. This collection formerly included vessel identification and reporting requirements. The vessel ID requirements have been incorporated into Pacific Islands Region Vessel and Gear Identification Requirements (OMB Control No. 0648-0360) and the reporting requirement is being moved to Pacific Islands Logbook Family of Forms (OMB Control No. 0648-0214). Therefore, the title has changed from “Permitting, Vessel Identification and Reporting Requirements for the Pelagic Squid Jig Fishery in the Western Pacific Region” to “Pacific Islands Pelagic Squid Jig Fishing Permit”. There have also been minor changes to the permit application form, and instructions added.

A. JUSTIFICATION

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

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson Act) established regional fishery management councils, including the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), to develop fishery ecosystem plans (FEPs) for fisheries in the United States (U.S.) exclusive economic zone (EEZ). These plans, if approved by the Secretary of Commerce, are implemented by Federal regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 50, Part 665, which are enforced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG), in cooperation with State agencies to the extent possible. The Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Pacific Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region is intended to regulate fishing to ensure sustained productivity and achievement of optimum yield from the resources for the benefit of the United States.

Owners of squid jig fishing vessels greater than 50 ft (15.4 m) in length that fish for pelagic squid management unit species in Federal waters, or land pelagic squid management unit species in ports of the Pacific Islands region, must register their vessels to a valid Federal pelagic squid jig fishing permit issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).

The information collected is used to document fishing activities, to assess the effectiveness of management measures, and to evaluate the benefits and costs of changes in management measures.

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.

Information is collected via a NMFS permit application process. Permits are valid for one calendar year and may be renewed annually. Information from the permit application form will allow NMFS to confirm the identity of the permit holder and applicant, and to determine whether the applicant qualifies for the permit. Vessel-related information such as vessel documentation or registration, ownership, managing ownership, endorsements, etc., are used by NMFS to determine whether the applicant is an owner of a U.S. documented/registered vessel. The information may also be used by OLE, USCG, and the Council.

NMFS will retain control over the information and safeguard it from improper access, modification, and destruction, consistent with Federal law and regulations, and NOAA policies 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.

At this time, the information will be collected on fillable Adobe Acrobat forms (downloadable from http://www.fpir.noaa.gov/SFD/SFD_permits_index.html) and does not require any knowledge of automated, electronic, mechanical or other forms of information technology.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.

There is no similar Pelagics FEP squid permit requirement for U.S. vessels greater than 50 ft in length overall that participate in the commercial Pacific pelagic squid fishery.

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

Federal pelagic squid jig permit applications are available online and from NMFS Honolulu Service Center at Pier 38, Honolulu harbor, to reduce the burden of time spent applying or ordering by mail. Applications may be downloaded, printed, and then mailed to NMFS or dropped off at the Honolulu Service Center. They may also be emailed or faxed, but will not be considered complete until fee payment is received. Permits will be issued by NMFS and delivered via U.S. mail or may be picked up at the Honolulu Service Center.

The minimum information is collected to comply with the regulations and to administer the program effectively.

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

Without this collection or if it is collected less frequently, NMFS would be unable to properly evaluate activity, participation, and reporting compliance in the Pacific pelagic commercial squid fishery. It would be difficult to monitor the fisheries and their participants, determine entry and exit patterns, and provide information needed to ensure full impact analysis for fisheries management programs. Without this information, enforcement agents would not be able to identify current fishery participants for compliance monitoring purposes and NMFS would be unable to consult with permit holders on regulatory changes.

7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a

manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.

None.

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 (80 FR 19075), published on April 9, 2015, solicited public comments on this submission. No comments were received.

In addition, comments were solicited from Western Pacific (WP) Council members and vessel owners.

Comments were received from two Council members. One stated “The squid jig permit application and supporting documents look fine to me.” The other stated “no comments”.

From one vessel owner:  The only item on the application form that has been an issue for me to provide is the request for the "Birth of the Incorporation".  It is usually not readily available whenever I am filling out a new application. I will always prefer recording data on paper. It is easier to proof read and catch any mistakes I have made before it is submitted, and available for review at a later date. The permit requirements do not seem to cause me any considerable burden.

Response: The item on the permit application is ‘Date of birth OR of incorporation’. Regarding completion of data on paper, that is definitely an option (printing out the adobe form before completion).

9. Explain any decisions to provide payments or gifts to respondents, other than

remuneration of contractors or grantees.

No payments or gifts are provided

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

As stated on the forms, under Section 402(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, amended in 2006, and NOAA Administrative Order 216-100, information submitted in accordance with regulatory requirements under the Act is confidential. This includes personal and proprietary information contained in the permits and logbooks. Private information will not be disseminated to the public, and will be reported only in non-confidential or aggregate form. Confidential or proprietary information is not disseminated to the public.

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 are asked of a sensitive nature.

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

NMFS expects to receive and process up to 5 applications for pelagic squid jig permits each year. Applicants are expected to spend 15 minutes completing or renewing the application. Thus, the total burden to fishermen for permit applications is estimated at 1.25 hours per year. A permit appeal is estimated to take two hours (a maximum of one appeal is expected per year).

Total burden estimate: 1.25 hr + 2 hr = 3.25 (3) hr.

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

The estimated cost to respondents for postage, faxes, copies, etc., related to this collection is $9.00 per year, or about $1.50 per response, including the additional cost for an appeal. The non-refundable application processing fee is $48 per application.

Total cost burden: $9.00 + $240 ($48 x 5 applications) = $249.

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

The estimated annual cost to the Federal government to administer this collection of information is $185. This includes the estimated cost to process permit applications and issue permits at $75 per year (5 permits x 30 min/permit x $30/hr), $100 to review the one appeal expected (2 hours @ $50) and estimated mailing and printing costs ($10).

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

Program changes:

The vessel ID and reporting requirements were removed from this collection and moved into other collections. This results in reducing burden by 960 responses, 248 hours, and $750.

Adjustments:

The number of estimated respondents and responses was reduced based on currently low large-vessel participation in this fishery. The number of responses for permit applications was reduced from 31 to 6 (including one appeal) and burden hours reduced from 17 hours to 3 hours. The permit fee increased from $32 to $48; however, due to the decrease in permit applications, there was a net reduction cost reduction of $726, from $975 to $249.

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

No formal scientific publications based on these collections are planned at this time. NMFS and the Council will use the data (primarily in an aggregated, non-confidential format) for developing management reports and fishery management plan amendments and evaluations. However, subsequent use of the data collected over a series of years may include scientific papers and publications.

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.

Not Applicable.

B. COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS

No statistical methods are employed.

7