Justification for change

JUSTIFICATION FOR CHANGE

ALASKA ROCKFISH PROGRAM: PERMITS AND REPORTS

OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0545

JUSTIFICATION: This information collection is revised by removing two forms and placing them into the new cost recovery program, OMB 0648-0711, due to an associated rule (RIN 0648-BE05). This action removes the fee submittal fee/form and the value and volume report.

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.

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Alaska Region manages fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) waters off the coast of Alaska under the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area and the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska. Implementing regulations are located at 50 CFR part 679.

The Magnuson-Stevens Act both authorizes and requires the collection of cost recovery fees for Limited Access Privilege (LAP) programs and Community Development Quota (CDQ) programs. Magnuson-Stevens Act cost recovery fees may not exceed three percent of the ex-vessel value, and must recover costs associated with the management, data collection, and enforcement of these programs that are directly incurred by government agencies tasked with overseeing these fisheries.

This change will slightly reduce the cost and burden of this program.

For OMB Control No. 0648-0545 before reduction: estimated total unique respondents 9, estimated total responses 126, estimated total burden 414 hours, and estimated total miscellaneous costs $ 74.

For OMB Control No. 0648-0545 after reduction: estimated total unique respondents 9, estimated total responses 108, estimated total burden 394 hours, and estimated total miscellaneous costs $ 72.

1