0565 Supporting Statement 122415 (1)

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

ALASKA AMENDMENT 80 PERMITS AND REPORTS

OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0565

This action requests extension of this existing information collection.

INTRODUCTION

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) manages the United States (U.S.) groundfish fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the U.S. The NMFS Alaska Region manages the EEZ off Alaska under the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (FMP) and the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) prepared the FMP under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. (Magnuson-Stevens Act) as revised in 2006. Regulations implementing the FMP appear at 50 CFR part 679.

The Amendment 80 Program (A80 Program) was intended to reduce excessive fishing capacity, end the race, reduce bycatch, and reduce discards for commercial fishing vessels using trawl gear in the non-pollock groundfish fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). The improved retention and utilization of fishery resources by the A80 sector is intended to increase the opportunities for A80 sector participants to maximize the value of harvested species.

The A80 Program allocates several BSAI non-pollock trawl groundfish species among trawl fishery sectors and facilitates the formation of harvesting cooperatives in the non-American Fisheries Act (non-AFA) trawl catcher/processor sector.

The broad goals of the A80 Program are:

♦ to improve retention and utilization of fishery resources by the non-AFA trawl catcher/processor fleet by extending the groundfish retention standard (GRS) to non-AFA trawl catcher/processor vessels of all lengths;

♦ to allocate fishery resources among BSAI trawl harvesters in consideration of historic and present harvest patterns and future harvest needs;

♦ to authorize the allocation of groundfish species to harvesting cooperatives and establish a limited access privilege program (LAPP) for the non-AFA trawl catcher/processors to reduce potential GRS compliance costs, encourage fishing practices with lower discard rates, and improve the opportunity for increasing the value of harvested species; and

♦ to limit the ability of non-AFA trawl catcher/processors to expand their harvesting capacity into other fisheries not managed under a LAPP

Included as a supplementary document is A Five-Year Review of the Effects of Amendment 80, issued in October 2014 by the North Pacific FMC.

A. JUSTIFICATION

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

The A80 Program was established as a limited access privilege program (see http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/amds/80/default.htm). The A80 Program encourages the formation of cooperatives and cooperative fishing practices among all persons holding A80 quota share (QS) permits. The cooperatives that receive allocations of cooperative quota (CQ) allow vessel operators to make operational choices to improve fishery returns, reduce prohibited species catch (PSC) usage, and reduce fish discards.

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.

a. Flatfish Exchange Application [UNCHANGED]

A Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) group or A80 cooperative may request that NMFS transfer yellowfin sole, rock sole or flathead sole CQ into its account in exchange for reducing its CQ by an equal amount of yellowfin sole, rock sole, or flathead sole. A80 cooperatives may request exchanges by submitting a completed Flatfish Exchange Application (see § 679.91(i)(4)). NMFS approval of a flatfish exchange application is required prior to the exchange.

ABC reserves may be accessed by an A80 cooperative or CDQ group by submitting the Flatfish Exchange Application. Identifying the exchange in this manner links the exchange from the ABC reserve into the entity’s quota account for one eligible flatfish species with an exchange for a different eligible flatfish species out of the entity’s quota account. This ensures that the overall CQ or CDQ allocation assigned to that entity is not exceeded.

NMFS approval of a Flatfish Exchange Application is required prior to the usage of the flatfish TAC. No exchange, adjustment, apportionment of flatfish may take effect until notification has been published in the Federal Register with a statement of the findings upon which the apportionment or adjustment is based. Each NMFS-approved flatfish exchange application is debited as one transaction, upon the effective date of the notice of adjustment or apportionment in the Federal Register.

Each A80 cooperative or CDQ group is limited to three exchanges per calendar year. In 2013, two A80 cooperatives, Alaska Seafood Cooperative and Alaska Groundfish Cooperative and six CDQ groups equates to a total of 24 exchanges available per year.

Example (see table below): An A80 cooperative is requesting 4,112 mt of yellowfin sole, in exchange for 4,112 mt of flathead sole. No net change in the total flatfish available to the cooperative occurs, but the cooperative gives up flathead sole to gain additional access to yellowfin sole.

Example Transfer for A80 Cooperative

Account	Flatfish Species	Starting CQ or Reserve Amount	Mid-year Transfer	Ending CQ or Reserve Amount
A80 Coop CQ	Flathead sole	20,506	-4,112	16,394
	Rock sole	48,691	--	48,691
	Yellowfin sole	81,776	+4,112	85,888
A80 Coop ABC Reserve	Flathead sole	32,482	+4,112	36,594
	Rock sole	78,122	--	78,122
	Yellowfin sole	4,112	-4,112	0

When complete, the Flatfish Exchange Application must be submitted online through eFISH at: https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/webapps/efish/login. The signature on the application certifies that all information is true, correct and complete.

Flatfish Exchange Application

Date of transfer request

Fishing year

Type of participant

Block A – CDQ Group or A80 Cooperative Information

Name

ID Number

Business telephone number, business fax number, business e-mail address

Representative name and signature

Block B – Amount Exchanged

Adjustment to ABC Reserve Amount

Species code

Amount (if CDQ, nearest 0.001 mt; if A80, nearest mt)

Adjustment to CQ Amount

Species code

Amount (if CDQ, nearest 0.001 mt; if A80, nearest mt)

Block C -- Certification

Signature and printed name of designated representative

Date signed

Flatfish Exchange Application, Respondent
Number of respondents 2 A80 coop 6 CDQ Total annual responses Responses per respondent = 3 Total burden hours Time per response = 5 min Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 2) Total miscellaneous costs Online (8 x 0 = 0)	8 24 2 hrs $74 $0

Flatfish Exchange Application, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total burden hours Time per response = 5 min Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 2) Total miscellaneous cost	24 2 hrs $74 0

b. Application for Amendment 80 Quota Share (QS) [UNCHANGED]

An A80 QS permit authorizes a QS holder to fish in the A80 sector. A person who wishes to receive an A80 QS permit must submit a timely and complete application for A80 QS. The annual calculation of the amount of fish that may be harvested or used by an A80 cooperative is based on the QS assigned to an A80 cooperative. Once a person receives NMFS approval, an Application for Amendment 80 QS is not required to be resubmitted.

The holder of an A80 LLP license may only receive an initial allocation of A80 QS if an A80 vessel(s) originally assigned to the A80 LLP license(s) is no longer able to participate in the A80 Program due to actual total loss, total constructive loss, or is permanently ineligible to receive a fishery endorsement under 46 U.S.C. 12108. If the A80 vessel does not fit these requirements, the A80 QS derived from that vessel’s catch must be applied for by the owner of the vessel.

When complete, submit application to NMFS:

♦ By mail: NMFS Alaska Region, Administrator

c/o Restricted Access Management Program

P.O. Box 21668

Juneau, AK 99802–1668

♦ By fax: 907–586–7354

♦ By hand delivery or carrier:

NMFS, Room 713

709 West 9th Street

Juneau, AK 99801

Application forms are available through the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/amds/80/default.htm#apps or by contacting NMFS at (800) 304–4846, Option 2.

Deadline: A completed application for A80 QS must be received by NMFS no later than 1700 hours A.l.t. on October 15 of the year prior to the fishing year for which the applicant is applying, or if sent by U.S. mail, postmarked by that time. Applications received or postmarked after the deadline are not eligible to receive an A80 QS permit for the upcoming fishing year.

Application for A80 Quota Share

Indicate the type of application

Block A - Applicant identification

Applicant name and NMFS person ID

Permanent business mailing address

Business telephone number, business fax number, and business e-mail address

If applicant is a U.S. citizen, enter date of birth

If applicant is a U.S. corporation, partnership, association, or other business entity, enter the date

of incorporation

If applicant is a successor-in-interest to a deceased individual or to a non-individual no longer in existence, attach evidence of death or dissolution

Block B - Agreement with A80 Official Record

Indicate whether you

agree with the A80 Official Record Summary,

do not agree with the A80 Official Record Summary, or

did not receive an A80 Official Record Summary from NMFS

Block C - Owner of A80 Vessel

Enter following information for each A80 vessel

Vessel name

LLP Number

ADF&G Registration Number

USCG Documentation Number

Block D – Holder of A80 LLP license

May only receive initial allocation of A80 QSA80 LLP license number for which you are applying for

A80 QS if A80 vessel originally assigned to each license is no longer able to participate in A80 due to actual

total loss, total constructive loss, or is permanently ineligible to receive a fishery endorsement under

46 USC 12108

Name

ADF&G registrations number

USCG documentation number

Block E - Applicant certification

Printed name and signature of representative and date signed

If representative, attach authorization

Attachments:

documentation that the A80 vessel has suffered an actual total loss, total constructive loss, or is permanently ineligible to receive a fishery endorsement under 46 U.S.C. 12108.

if the holder of the LLP license is not the same person(s) who owns the A80 vessel, a copy of a written contract held by the applicant that clearly and unambiguously indicates that the owner of the A80 vessel that has suffered an actual total loss, total constructive loss, or is permanently ineligible to receive a fishery endorsement under 46 U.S.C. 12108 has transferred all rights and privileges to use A80 legal landings and any resulting A80 QS or exclusive harvest privilege from that A80 vessel to the person holding the A80 LLP license originally assigned to that A80 vessel.

Initial issuance for A80 QS was 148 respondents. Only a few applications are filed each year, because once approved for A80 QS, an application does not need to be resubmitted.

Application for A80 QS, Respondent
Number of respondents Total annual responses Responses per respondent = 1 Total burden hours Time per response = 2 hr Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 10) Total miscellaneous costs (20.35) Postage (0.45 x 3 = 1.35) Fax ($6 x 2 = 12) Photocopy cost (0.05 x 5 x 28pp form + contract = 7)	5 5 10 hrs $370 $20

Application for A80 QS, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total burden hours (2.50) Time per response = 30 minutes Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 3) Total miscellaneous cost	5 3 hrs $111 0

c. Application for A80 cooperative and CQ Permit ]UNCHANGED]

An A80 CQ permit authorizes a cooperative to participate in the A80 Program. NMFS issues a CQ permit annually to an A80 cooperative which has submitted a complete and timely CQ application. The cooperative must designate an authorized representative to be responsible for submitting the CQ application on behalf of all the members.

NMFS uses the CQ application information

♦ to assign CQ quantities to each cooperative prior to the fishing year

♦ to determine the A80 species interim total allowable catch assignments to the A80 limited access fishery

♦ to determine which vessels must be tracked for catch accounting

♦ to review ownership and control information for various QS holders to ensure that QS and CQ use caps are not exceeded.

Deadline: To be considered timely, the application must be received by NMFS no later than 5:00 p.m., Alaska local time, on November 1 of the year prior to the year for which the applicant wishes to participate in an A80 fishery or if sent by U.S. mail, the application must be postmarked by that time.

Deadline: The Amendment 80 EDR is renamed in 2016 as Trawl Catcher/Processor Economic Data Report. Every member of the A80 cooperative must submit a timely and complete Economic Data Report (EDR) for each A80 QS permit held by that person during the previous calendar year. The annual EDR submission deadline is June 1.

Submit the completed application to NMFS by:

♦ By mail to: Regional Administrator, NMFS

Restricted Access Management Program (RAM)

P.O. Box 21668,

Juneau, AK 99802-1668

♦ By hand delivery or carrier to:

Federal Building, Room 713

709 West 9th Street

Juneau, AK 99801

♦ By fax to: (907) 586-7354.

Forms are available through the Internet on the NMFS Alaska Region website at http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/ram/amd80/coop_cq_permitapp.pdf or by contacting NMFS at (800) 304-4846, Option 2.

Application for A80 cooperative and CQ Permit

Attachment: A copy of the cooperative membership agreement or contract must be provided with this application

Cooperative identification.

Cooperative's legal name

Type of business entity under which the A80 Cooperative is organized

State in which the A80 Cooperative is legally registered as a business entity

Permanent business address

Business telephone number, business fax number, and e-mail address (if available)

Printed name of A80 designated representative

Members of the A80 Cooperative

Full name and NMFS Person ID of all members

A80 QS Permit Number(s)

Names of all persons, to the individual level, holding an ownership interest in the QS Permit

Percentage ownership each person holds in the A80 QS Permit(s)

Identification of A80 cooperative member vessels and A80 LLP licenses

Vessel name

ADF&G vessel registration No. and USCG documentation number

A80 LLP number

Identification of vessels on which the CQ issued to the A80 Cooperative will be used

Vessel name

ADF&G vessel registration No. and USCG documentation number

EDR submittal

Indicate whether the each member submitted a timely and complete EDR for each A80 QS permit

Certification of cooperative authorized representative

Printed name and signature of Cooperative authorized representative and date signed

Attach explicit authorization

Application for A80 cooperative and CQ permit, Respondent
Number of respondents Total annual responses Responses per respondent = 1 Total burden hours Time per response = 2 hr Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 4) Total miscellaneous costs (7.85) Postage (0.45 x 1 = 0.45) Fax ($6 x 1 = 6) Copy (0.05 x 28pp (form & contract = 1.40)	2 2 4 hrs $148 $8

Application for A80 cooperative and CQ permit, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total burden hours Time per response = 30 minutes Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 1) Total miscellaneous cost	2 1 hr $37 0

d. Application for an A80 limited access fishery permit (UNCHANGED)

An A80 limited access fishery permit is required for an A80 QS holder to catch, process, and receive A80 species assigned to the A80 limited access fishery, or use halibut and crab prohibited species catch (PSC) assigned to the A80 limited access fishery. An A80 EDR is required from any person who held an A80 QS permit during the previous calendar year. An EDR must be submitted for each A80 QS permit held by a person. An A80 limited access fishery permit is issued annually to an A80 QS holder who has submitted a timely and complete:

♦ Application for the A80 limited access fishery that is approved by NMFS; and

♦ A80 EDR for all A80 QS permits held by that person. Note: The Amendment 80 EDR is renamed in 2016 as Trawl Catcher/Processor Economic Data Report.

Upon completion, submit the application to NMFS by mail, fax, or in person.

♦ By mail to: Regional Administrator, NMFS

Restricted Access Management Program (RAM)

P.O. Box 21668,

Juneau, AK 99802-1668

♦ By hand delivery or carrier to:

Federal Building, Room 713

709 West 9th Street

Juneau, AK 99801.

♦ By fax to: (907) 586-7354.

Deadline: This application must be submitted annually and received by NMFS no later than 1700 hours Alaska local time on November 1 of the year prior to the year for which the applicant wishes to participate in an A80 fishery; or if sent by U.S. mail, the application must be postmarked by that time.

Deadline: The Amendment 80 EDR is renamed in 2016 as Trawl Catcher/Processor Economic Data Report. The annual EDR submission deadline is June 1. Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) has been designated by NMFS to be the Data Collection Agent (DCA) for the Amendment 80 EDR program. PSMFC mails EDR announcements and filing instructions to Amendment 80 QS permit holders by April 1. Applicants may also use the web based EDR form or download the EDR form in fillable PDF format. To request that a printed EDR be mailed to you, please call 1-877-741-8913, or email your request to [email protected].

NOTE that the Amendment 80 regulations published at 50 CFR 679.94 direct EDR submitters to mail or fax completed EDR forms to the Alaska Fisheries Science Center. The updated submission address and fax number are listed below:

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission

NMFS Economic Data Reports

205 SE Spokane St., Suite 100

Portland, OR 97202

PH: (877) 741-8913

FX: (503) 595-3450

Email: [email protected]

Forms are available through the Internet on the NMFS Alaska Region website at http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/ram/amd80/fisheryapp.pdf or by contacting NMFS at (800) 304-4846, Option 2.

Application for an A80 limited access fishery

Applicant identification.

Applicant’s name and NMFS person ID

Permanent business mailing address

Business telephone number, business fax number, and business e-mail address

A80 Vessel identification.

Name, ADF&G vessel registration number, and USCG documentation number of applicant’s vessel

A80 LLP identification

A80 LLP license number(s) held by the applicant

A80 QS permit information

A80 QS permit number(s) held by the applicant

A80 QS ownership documentation.

Names of all persons, to individual level, holding an ownership interest in the A80 QS permit

Percentage ownership each person holds in the A80 QS permit

EDR Submission

Indicate whether the applicant has submitted a timely and complete EDR for each A80 QS permit

Applicant certification.

Applicant printed name, signature, and date signed.

If completed by authorized representative, attach authorization

No A80 limited access fishery permits have been issued since 2010. The number of respondents will be shown as one.

Application for an A80 limited access fishery permit, Respondent
Number of respondents Total annual responses Number responses per respondent = 1/yr Total burden hours Time per response = 2 hr Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 2) Total miscellaneous costs (0.70) Postage (0.45 x 1 = 0.45) Photocopy cost (0.05 x 1 x 5pp = 0.25)	1 1 2 hr $74 $1

Application for an A80 limited access fishery permit, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total burden hours Time per response = 30 minutes Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 1) Total miscellaneous cost	1 1 hr $37 0

e. Application to Transfer A80 QS (UNCHANGED)

On an annual basis a QS holder may choose either to assign his/her QS to a cooperative with other eligible QS holders or assign that QS to the A80 limited access fishery. NMFS approves QS transfers to track ownership and use cap accounting.

Once issued, an A80 vessel owner assigned QS could transfer (or sell) that QS in one of three ways:

♦ Transfer the A80 vessel and the QS permit assigned to that A80 vessel to another person eligible to own a U.S. fishing vessel (i.e., document that A80 vessel under U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration (MARAD) regulations);

♦ Transfer the A80 QS permit to the LLP license originally issued for that A80 vessel upon the actual loss, total constructive loss, or permanent ineligibility of an A80 vessel assigned QS. Clear and unambiguous written documentation must be attached from which NMFS can verify that the Amendment 80 vessel for which that A80 LLP license was originally assigned is no longer able to be used in the Program due to the actual total loss, constructive total loss, or permanent ineligibility of that vessel.

♦ Transfer an A80 LLP license with QS assigned to it to another person through the existing LLP transfer provisions (see 50 CFR 679.4(k)(7)). All A80 QS units for all A80 species on that A80 QS permit must be transferred in their entirety. An A80 QS permit assigned to an A80 LLP license as an endorsement on that LLP license may not be transferred separately from that A80 LLP license.

An Application to Transfer an A80 QS permit may be submitted to NMFS by mail, fax, or in person.

By mail to: Regional Administrator, NMFS

Restricted Access Management Program (RAM)

P.O. Box 21668,

Juneau, AK 99802-1668

By hand delivery or carrier to:

Federal Building, Room 713

709 West 9th Street

Juneau, AK 99801.

By fax to: (907) 586-7354.

Forms are available through the Internet on the NMFS Alaska Region website at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/ram/amd80/transferappqs.pdf or by contacting NMFS at

800-304-4846, Option 2.

Application to Transfer A80 QS

Indicate the type of transfer being requested

Block A - Identification of transferor

Name and NMFS person ID

Business mailing address; indicate whether permanent or temporary

Business telephone number, business fax number, and e-mail address

Block B - Identification of transferee

Name and NMFS person ID

Business mailing address; indicate whether permanent or temporary

Business telephone number, fax number, and e-mail

Block C - Transfers of A80 QS permits to another person

Identify A80 QS Permit(s) being transferred

Attach original QS Permit(s) being transferred

Block D - Transfers of A80 QS to an A80 LLP license

Identify A80 LLP license to which the A80 QS Permit is transferring

Identify A80 QS Permit(s) being transferred

Attach original QS Permit(s) being transferred

Block E - Certification of transferor.

Transferor signature, printed name, and date signed

If representative, attach authorization

Certification of transferee

Transferee signature, printed name, and date signed

If representative, attach authorization

Attachments:

If transferring A80 QS from an A80 QS permit to the A80 LLP license originally assigned to that A80 vessel, provide clear and unambiguous written documentation that can be verified by NMFS that the A80 vessel for which that A80 LLP license was originally issued is no longer able to be used in the A80 Program due to the actual loss, constructive total loss, or permanent ineligibility of that vessel of that vessel to receive a fishery endorsement

If transferring an A80 QS permit to another person, attach abstract of title or USCG documentation which clearly and unambiguously indicates that the A80 QS transferee is named on the abstract of title or USCG documentation as the owner of the A80 vessel to which that A80 QS permit would be assigned

Original QS Permit(s) being transferred

Application to Transfer A80 QS, Respondent
Number of respondents Total annual responses Number responses per respondent = 1 Total burden hours Time per response = 2 hr Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 50 Total miscellaneous costs (35.25) Postage (0.45 x 20 = 9) Photocopy cost (0.05 x 25 = 1.25) FAX cost ($6 x 5 = 30)	25 25 50 hrs $1,850 $40

Application to Transfer A80 QS, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total burden hours (12.5) Time per response = 30 minutes Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 13) Total miscellaneous cost	25 13 hrs $481 0

f. Application for Inter-Cooperative Transfer of A80 CQ (UNCHANGED)

In order for an inter-cooperative CQ transfer to be approved, both parties must be already established and recognized by NMFS as a cooperative. NMFS will notify the transferor and transferee once the application has been received and approved. A transfer of CQ is not effective until approved by NMFS.

A80 cooperatives may transfer CQ during a calendar year with the following restrictions.

♦ May only transfer CQ to another A80 cooperative;

♦ May only receive CQ from another A80 cooperative; and

♦ When receiving A80 species CQ by transfer, must assign that A80 species CQ to a member(s) of the A80 cooperative for the purposes of use caps calculation as established under § 679.92(a).

This application cannot be processed or approved unless all parties to the proposed transfer (including the proposed transferor, the proposed transferee, and the receiving Qualifying Member) have met all the requirements and conditions of the A80 Program.

When complete, submit application:

By mail to: NMFS Alaska Region, Administrator

Restricted Access Management (RAM)

P.O. Box 21668

Juneau, AK 99802-1668

By fax to: (907) 586-7354

Applications may be faxed to RAM at (907) 586-7354; however, permits will not be returned by fax. The original, signed permit must be on board the vessel.

By Hand delivery to:

NMFS Alaska Region (RAM)

Federal Building

709 W. 9th Street, Suite 713

Juneau, Alaska 99801

Deadline: This application must be submitted annually and received by NMFS no later than 1700 hours Alaska local time on November 1 of the year prior to the year for which the applicant wishes to participate in an A80 fishery; or if sent by U.S. mail, the application must be postmarked by that time.

Deadline: The Amendment 80 EDR is renamed in 2016 as Trawl Catcher/Processor Economic Data Report. The annual EDR submission deadline is June 1. Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) has been designated by NMFS to be the Data Collection Agent (DCA) for the Amendment 80 EDR program. PSMFC mails EDR announcements and filing instructions to Amendment 80 QS permit holders by April 1. Applicants may also use the web based EDR form or download the EDR form in fillable PDF format. To request that a printed EDR be mailed to you, please call 1-877-741-8913, or email your request to [email protected].

NOTE that the Amendment 80 regulations published at 50 CFR 679.94 direct EDR submitters to mail or fax completed EDR forms to the Alaska Fisheries Science Center. The updated submission address and fax number are listed below:

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission

NMFS Economic Data Reports

205 SE Spokane St., Suite 100

Portland, OR 97202

PH: (877) 741-8913

FX: (503) 595-3450

Email: [email protected]

When using the online submittal method, the respondent must provide a NMFS Person ID and transfer key. These two pieces of information are provided by NMFS after an applicant is approved for participation in the A80 Program.

Application for Inter-Cooperative Transfer of A80 CQ

Block A - Transferor information

Name and NMFS Person ID

Name of designated representative

Business mailing address; indicate whether permanent or temporary

Business telephone number, business fax number, and business e-mail address

Indicate whether transferor submitted an EDR, if required to do so under § 679.94

Block B - Transferee information

Name and NMFS Person ID

Name of designated representative

Business mailing address; indicate whether permanent or temporary

Business telephone number, business fax number, and business e-mail address

Indicate whether transferee submitted an EDR, if required to do so under § 679.94

Block C¹ - Identification of A80 CQ to be transferred (leased) to transferor cooperative member(s)

A80 Species CQ

Type of CQ (Area/Species)

Amount (mt)

A80 PSC CQ

Type of PSC (Area/Species)

Amount (mt)

Number of QS units

Block C² - Identification of Amendment 80 transferee cooperative member(s)

Name and NMFS Person ID of the qualifying member(s)

Species

Amount of CQ

Block D - Certification of transferor

Transferor’s designated representative signature, printed name, and date signed

Attach representative’s authorization

Block E - Certification of transferee

Transferee’s designated representative signature, printed name, and date signed

Attach representative’s authorization

Two cooperatives exist in the A80 Program, and this form has not been used. However, one potential cooperative is added for recordkeeping purposes.

Application for Inter-coop CQ Transfer, Respondent
Number of respondents Total annual responses Number responses per respondent = 1 Total burden hours Time per response = 2 hr Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 2) Total miscellaneous costs (0.10) Attach to email (0.05 x 1 = 0.05) Photocopy cost .05 x 1 = .05	1 1 2 hrs $74 $1

Application for Inter-coop CQ Transfer, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total burden hours Time per response = 0.50 Total personnel cost ($375/hr x 1) Total miscellaneous cost	1 1 hrs $37 0

g. Application for A80 Vessel Replacement (UNCHANGED)

The owner of an A80 vessel may replace a vessel for any purpose. The replacement vessel will be eligible to participate in the A80 fisheries in the same manner as the original vessel. The owner of the replacement vessel is responsible for all monitoring, enforcement, permitting, recordkeeping and reporting, prohibitions, and general sideboard measures that apply to A80 vessels in the GOA or BSAI.

A vessel will be approved by the Regional Administrator as an A80 vessel following the submission and approval of a completed Application for A80 Vessel Replacement, provided that only one replacement vessel is used as a replacement for any one replaced vessel at a given time and that the replacement vessel:

♦ Does not exceed 295 feet length overall (LOA)

♦ Was built in the United States and, if ever rebuilt, rebuilt in the United States

♦ Is classed and loadlined or meets the requirements of the USCG Alternative Compliance and Safety Agreement (ACSA)

The applicant must complete a separate application for each vessel. Application forms and instructions are available on the NMFS, Alaska Region website at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.

To demonstrate vessel ownership applicant must provide:

♦ For USCG Documented Vessels, a copy of the USCG Abstract of Title or Certificate of Documentation

♦ For undocumented vessels, a copy of the State of Alaska vessel license or registration.

Submit the completed application:

By mail to: Alaska Region, NOAA Fisheries (NMFS)

Restricted Access Management (RAM)

P.O. Box 21668

Juneau, AK 99802

By fax to: (907) 586-7354

Or, hand deliver to: Federal Building

709 W. 9th Street, Suite 713

Juneau, AK 99801

Application for A80 Vessel Replacement

Block A - Identification of the A80 vessel being replaced

Vessel

Name

ADF&G vessel registration number

USCG documentation number

A80 QS permit number

Last year in which vessel harvested or processed groundfish in an A80 fishery

Name and NMFS person ID number of applicant

Business mailing address; undicate whether permanent or temporary

Business telephone number, Business Fax number, and Business e-mail address of owner(s)

Indicate one:

vessel was lost at sea;

vessel is permanently ineligible to participate; or

not applicable

Block B -Identification of the A80 replacement vessel

Vessel name

ADF&G vessel registration number and USCG documentation number

Indicate YES or NO whether vessel is classed

Indicate YES or NO whether vessel is loadlined

If the replacement vessel cannot be classed and loadlined, does the vessel meet the requirements of

the USCG Alternative Compliance and Safety Agreement

Indicate YES or NO whether the vessel was built in the United States

Indicate YES or NO whether the vessel has ever been rebuilt

If YES, whether it was rebuilt in the United States

Name and NMFS person ID number of vessel owner

Business mailing address(es); indicate whether permanent or temporary

Business telephone number(s), business Fax number(s), and business e-mail address(es) of the owner(s)

Block C - Applicant signature and certification

Printed name and signature of applicant, title, and date signed

If designated representative, attach authorization

Attachments

To demonstrate vessel ownership, attach

For USCG Documented Vessels, a copy of the USCG Abstract of Title or Certificate of Documentation

For undocumented vessels, a copy of the State of Alaska vessel license or registration.

Application for A80 Vessel Replacement, Respondent
Number of respondents Total annual responses Responses per respondent = 1 Total burden hours Time per response = 2 hr Total personnel cost ($37/hr) Total miscellaneous costs (58.40) Postage (0.45 x 20 = 9) Fax cost ($6 x 8 = 48) Photocopy cost (0.05 x 28 = 1.40)	28 28 56 hrs $2,072 $58

Application for A80 Vessel Replacement, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total burden hours Time per response = 30 minutes Total personnel cost ($37/hr) Total miscellaneous cost	28 14 hrs $518 0

h. A80 cooperative report (CHANGED)

An A80 cooperative issued a CQ permit must submit annually to the Regional Administrator an A80 cooperative report detailing the use of the cooperative’s CQ, including the actual retained and discarded catch of CQ species and GOA sideboard species. There are currently two cooperatives -- Alaska Seafood Cooperative and Alaska Groundfish Cooperative.

Deadline: The annual A80 cooperative report for fishing activities under a CQ permit issued for the prior calendar year must be received by the Regional Administrator not later than 1700 hours, A.l.t. on March 1 of each year.

When complete, submit the annual A80 cooperative report:

♦ Online at: https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/webapps/efish/login

♦ By fax to: (907) 586-7557

♦ or by mail to: Regional Administrator

NMFS Alaska Region

P.O. Box 21668

Juneau, AK 99802-1668

A80 cooperative report

Actual retained and discarded catch of CQ and GOA sideboard limited fisheries (if applicable)

by statistical area and

on a vessel-by-vessel basis;

Describe method used to monitor fisheries in which coop vessels participated

Describe any actions taken by the coop against a member that exceeded the amount of CQ assigned to catch for the A80 coop.

Public reporting burden for the A80 cooperative report is changed from 26.5 hr to 40 hr in response to a comment.

A80 cooperative report, Respondent
Number of respondents Total annual responses Number responses per respondent = 1 Total burden hours Time per response = 40 hr Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 80) Total miscellaneous costs Photocopy cost (0.05 x 20 x2 = 2) Attachment to email (0.05 x 2 = 0)	2 2 80 hrs $2,960 $2

A80 cooperative report, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total burden hours Time per response = 2 hr Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 4) Total miscellaneous cost	2 4 hrs $148 0

i. Appeals (UNCHANGED)

If an applicant is notified by an Initial Administrative Determination (IAD) that inconsistent claims made by the applicant on a permit application have been denied, that applicant may appeal that IAD under the provisions described at § 679.43.

Appeals, Respondent
Number of respondents Total annual responses Number responses per respondent = 1 Total burden hours Time per response = 4 hr Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 4) Total miscellaneous costs (0.65) Postage (0.45 x 1 = 0.45) Photocopy cost (0.05 x 4 pp x 1 = 0.20)	1 1 4 hrs $148 $1

Appeals, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total burden hours Time per response = 4 hr Total personnel cost ($50/hr x 4) Total miscellaneous cost	1 4 hrs $200 0

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. 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.

The application for inter-cooperative transfer of A80 cooperative quota may be submitted online at http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. The cooperative report may be submitted as an attachment to email to [email protected]. Applications are “fillable” on the computer screen by participant at the NMFS Alaska Region Home Page at www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov, then downloaded, printed, and faxed or mailed to NMFS. Future plans include interactive permit applications completed through the Internet.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.

No duplication exists with other information collections.

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

There are currently two A80 cooperatives. Most firms operating vessels in this cooperative are large entities, with annual gross revenues in excess of $4.0 million. Thus, the cooperative composed of these firms is, itself, a large entity, by definition. The collection-of-information does not impose a significant impact on small entities.

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

This collection describes a structure to allow the non-AFA trawl catcher/processors to form cooperatives, thus facilitating bycatch reduction and improved utilization. Without the specified permitting scheme described in this Supporting Statement, the program would be jeopardized. The consequences of not collecting this information would be that NMFS could not fulfill the intent of the laws mentioned earlier.

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

Not Applicable.

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 published on July 14, 2015 (80 FR 41010) solicited public comments on the information collection. One comment was received and is listed below.

Comment 1 from Groundfish Forum, a Seattle based trade association which represents six companies which operate in the Amendment 80 fisheries.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this topic.  After reviewing the information provided, it appears that your estimates for permits and reports is correct with the exception that the annual cooperative report takes closer to 40 hours (for each cooperative). The report has grown in complexity since the coop has placed a greater focus on reporting halibut PSC reduction activities to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.

Reponse:

NMFS agrees with the commenter. The time to complete an annual cooperative report is changed from 27 to 40 hr for each cooperative.

In addition, a questionnaire was sent to the two cooperatives to solicit public comments.

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

No payment or gift will be 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 the forms and in the regulations, the information collected is confidential under section 303(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.); and also under NOAA Administrative Order (AO) 216-100, which sets forth procedures to protect confidentiality of fishery statistics.

All information collected is in a system of records: NOAA #19, notice published April 17, 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.

Not Applicable.

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

Estimated total unique respondents, 33, reduced from 38. Estimated total annual responses, 89, reduced from 96. Estimated total annual burden, 210 hr, increased from 204 hr. Estimated total annual personnel cost, $7,770, increased from $7,548.

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).

Estimated annual total miscellaneous costs, $131, reduced from $548.

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

Estimated total annual responses, 89, reduced from 96. Estimated total annual burden, 43 hr, reduced from 55 hr. Estimated total annual personnel cost, $1,643, reduced from $2,035.

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

No program changes.

NMFS makes adjustments in this collection for hourly personnel costs and postal changes.

Application for A80 QS

an increase of 4 respondents and responses, 5 instead of 1

an increase of 8 hours, 10 instead of 2 hr

an increase of $296 personnel cost, $370 instead of $74

an increase of $18 miscellaneous cost, $20 instead of $2

Application for A80 Cooperative Quota Permit & CQ

a decrease of $1 miscellaneous cost, $8 instead of $9

Application for an Amendment 80 Limited Access Fishery

a decrease of 7 respondents and responses, 1 instead of 8

a decrease of 4 burden hours, 2 instead of 16

a decrease of $518 personnel cost, $74 instead of $592

a decrease of $25 miscellaneous cost, $1 instead of $26

Application to transfer A80 QS

a decrease of 3 respondents and responses, 25 instead of 28

a decrease of 6 hours, 50 instead of 56 hrs

a decrease of $222 personnel cost, $1,850 instead of $2,072

a decrease of $18 miscellaneous cost, $40 instead of $58

Application for inter-cooperative CQ transfer

a decrease of 2 burden hours, 2 instead of 4

a decrease of $74 personnel cost, $74 instead of $148

A80 Cooperative Report (changed in response to public comment)

an increase of 30 burden hours, 80 hr instead of 50 hr

an increase of $1,110 personnel cost, $2,960 instead of $1,850

a decrease of $385 miscellaneous cost, $2 instead of $387

Application for Flatfish Exchange

a decrease of 10 burden hours, 2 instead of 12

a decrease of $370 personnel cost, 74 instead of 444

a decrease of $6 miscellaneous cost, $0 instead of $6

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

The information collected will not be published.

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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