0213 rev BF42 062116.ss

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

ALASKA REGION LOGBOOK FAMILY OF FORMS

OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0213

This action requests revision of this existing information collection due to an associated rule

[RIN 0648-BF42].

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.

Sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) is managed as a groundfish species under the FMPs, as well as under the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program for the Fixed-Gear Commercial Fisheries for Pacific Halibut and Sablefish in Waters in and off Alaska (IFQ Program) that allocates sablefish and Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) harvesting privileges among U.S. fishermen. Pacific halibut is not an FMP species.

This analysis of management measures applies exclusively to the sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) IFQ fishery in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). The measures include: (1) redefine legal gear to include pot longline gear, subject to a pot limit enforced by pot-identification tags, (2) require that pot longline gear be moved or tended within a certain amount of time after being set, or removed from the fishing grounds when making a sablefish delivery, (3) require marking of pot longline gear, and (4) require retention of Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) if sufficient IFQ is held by fishermen to cover the halibut IFQ caught using pot longline gear.

The action could minimize whale and seabird interactions with fishing gear, and adverse impacts on the sablefish IFQ fleet from depredation by sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) and killer whales (Orcinus orca). Depredation negatively impacts the sablefish IFQ fleet through reduced catch rates and increased operating costs. Depredation also has negative consequences for the whales through increased risk of vessel strike, gear entanglement, and altered foraging strategies. An additional management concern stems from the impact that whale depredation may have on the accuracy of fish stock abundance indices.

Whales are able to strip hooked fish from fishing gear (whale depredation), reducing the amount of sablefish caught by fishermen using hook-and-line gear. Attempts to deter whales from preying on fish caught on hook-and-line gear by various non-lethal means have proven unsuccessful. The use of pot gear for sablefish could reduce sperm whale and killer whale interactions with fishing gear in the GOA.

Also, this action could minimize potential IFQ sablefish fishery interactions with seabirds in the GOA by allowing fishermen to choose to use longline pot gear instead of hook-and-line gear. Many seabird species are attracted to fishing vessels using hook-and-line gear in order to forage on bait, offal, discards, and other prey made available by fishing operations. These interactions can result in direct mortality for seabirds. The use of pot gear will also reduce the incidental take of seabirds.

Reducing fishery interactions with whales and seabirds would reduce the unaccounted mortality of sablefish, and improve catch rates and efficiency of the IFQ sablefish fleet.

JUSTIFICATION

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

This action would authorize the use of longline pot gear in the GOA sablefish IFQ fishery and establish management measures to minimize potential conflicts between hook-and-line and longline pot gear used in the sablefish and halibut IFQ fisheries in the GOA. Further, this action includes provisions to authorize harvest of halibut IFQ caught incidentally in longline pot gear used in the GOA sablefish IFQ fishery. However, longline pot gear is also an efficient gear and has proven effective at preventing various species of whales from removing or damaging sablefish caught on hook-and-line gear (depredation). Amendment 101 would authorize only longline pot gear in the GOA sablefish IFQ fishery. Vessel operators would be prohibited from using pot-and-line gear (i.e., single pot gear) to harvest sablefish in the GOA

Currently, both longline pot and hook-and-line gear are authorized during the entire year in both the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands sablefish fisheries.

JUSTIFICATION

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

Interactions with whales throughout the Gulf of Alaska affect the ability of sablefish quota share holders to harvest their sablefish IFQs by reducing catch per unit of effort and increasing fishing costs. This action seeks to reduce the problems associated with whale depredation while minimizing gear conflicts that could result from allowing pot and longline gear to fish in the same regulatory areas.

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.

NMFS provides paper logbooks under this information collection. 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. 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.

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 operator must account for each day of the fishing year, January 1 through December 31, in the logbook and indicate whether the vessel was active or inactive during the time period. The logsheets are distributed as follows:

Logsheet Color	Disposition
White – permanent copy	stays in logbook
Goldenrod – observer copy	give to observer
Green – IPHC copy	give to IPHC
Blue copy - catcher vessel discard report	give to processor when delivering catch
Yellow – catcher vessel	submit to OLE each quarter	Quarter	Submit by
NOAA Fisheries Office for Law Enforcement Alaska Region Logbook Program P.O. Box 21767 Juneau, Alaska 99802-1767		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

Logbook requirements for vessel operators fishing IFQ sablefish and IFQ halibut would be separated into requirements for the GOA and requirements for the BSAI due to the use of different gear types used to fish IFQ sablefish and IFQ halibut in each of these management areas. Many of the participants in the sablefish IFQ fishery are also halibut IFQ stakeholders; this is especially true among the operators of smaller sablefish vessels.

With this action, the operator of an active catcher vessel less than 60 ft (18.3 m) length overall (LOA) is required to maintain a DFL when using longline pot gear in the GOA.

NMFS and the IPHC will add data columns in their logbooks to record whale depredation data. Both agencies aim for consistency between the two logbooks to facilitate ease of use by fishermen and scientists. One column (in the “data for each set” section) specifies the name and number of each whale species present during hauling; a second column specifies the number of damaged hooks and damaged fish.

NMFS proscribes and provides required groundfish logbooks. All required groundfish forms are available from the NMFS Alaska Region website at

https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/recordkeeping-reporting

or may be requested by calling the Sustainable Fisheries Division at 907-586-7228 or faxing 907-586-7465.

a. Catcher/processor longline and pot gear DCPL [REVISED]

The operator of a catcher/processor that is required to have an Federal Fishing Permit (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, uses pot gear to harvest CR crab from the BSAI, or uses longline pot gear to fish IFQ sablefish and IFQ halibut in the GOA. must use a combination of catcher/processor longline and pot gear DCPL and eLandings (see OMB Control Number 0648-0515).

A longline and pot catcher/processor electronic logbook (eLog) is currently available for voluntary use; this eLog is required for all but 6 catcher/processors.

Catcher/processor, longline, or pot gear DCPL (if inactive)

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 an 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/processor, longline, or pot gear DCPL (if active)

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

Indicate whether active or inactive

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

Gear ID (transfer alpha letter from gear type box)

Gear type (check one)

Pot is longline? (check YES or NO)

If gear type is hook and line or longline pot

Fixed hook (conventional or tub)

Autoline

Snap gear

Length of skate (hook&line) or set (pot) (ft)

Size, hook or pot

Spacing, hook or pot

Number of hooks per Skate

Number of skates or pots set

Number of skates or pots lost

IRIU Species code and estimated round catch weight

Target species code

CDQ or IFQ halibut Weight (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

Bird avoidance gear code

Mammals (Number) sighted while hauling

Name of mammals seen: Sperm, Orca, or other

Number sablefish, halibut, other fish, or hooks damaged

Changed time to complete from 41 minutes to 50 minutes.

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 (1001.50) Time/active response (50 min x 200 x 6 = 1000) Time/inactive response (5 min x 3 x 6 = 1.5) Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 1002) Total miscellaneous cost	6 1,218 1,002 hr $37,074 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

b. Catcher vessel longline and pot gear DFL [REVISED]

The operator of a catcher vessel must maintain a longline and pot gear DFL if the vessel:

♦ is of any length,

♦ is required to have an FFP under § 679.4(b),

♦ 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,

♦ uses pot gear to harvest Crab Rationalization Program (CR) crab from the BSAI

♦ uses longline pot gear to fish IFQ sablefish and IFQ halibut in the GOA.

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

Record vessel name, ADF&G vessel registration number, FFP number, Federal crab vessel permit 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

Operator name and signature

Indicate whether active or inactive

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 separate management program, mark appropriate box and enter identifying number

Gear type

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)

Gear ID (transfer alpha letter from gear type box)

Gear type (check one)

Pot is longline? (check YES or NO)

If gear type is hook and line or longline pot

Fixed hook (conventional or tub)

Autoline

Snap gear

Length of skate (hook&line) or set (pot) (ft)

Size, hook or pot

Spacing, hook or pot

No. hooks per Skate

Number of skates or pots set

Number of skates or pots lost

Target species code

Weight of IFQ or CDQ halibut (pounds)

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

Number and weight of CR crab in pounds

Hail weight of catch (circle lb or mt)

Bird avoidance gear code

Mammals (Number) sighted while hauling (optional)

Name of mammals seen: Sperm, Orca, or other (optional)

Number sablefish, halibut, other fish, or hooks damaged (optional)

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 time to complete from 28 minutes to 35 minutes. Changed number of respondents from 210 to 321

Catcher vessel longline or pot gear DFL, Respondent

Estimated number of respondents CV 60 ft or ≥60 ft = 53 CV < 60 ft = 268 Total annual responses (37 x 321) Average 34 active (fishing) days Average 3 inactive days Total Burden Hours (6446.75) Time per active response (35 min x 34 x 321 = 6366.5) Time per inactive response (5 min x 3 x 321 = 80.25) Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 6447 = 2385.39) Total miscellaneous cost Mail DFL logsheets ($2.50 x 4 qtr x 321)

321 11,877 6,447 hr $2,386 $3,210

Catcher Vessel longline or pot gear DFL, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total Burden Hours (385.20) Review, data entry, and file quarterly (3 min) Handle all 4 quarters (321 x 4 x 3 min = 64.2) Prepare and mail one DFL (30 min) Mail all DFLs (321 x 30 x 2 = 321) Total Personnel cost ($37/hr x 385) Total Miscellaneous Cost Print DFLs ($12 x 321 x 2 = $7704) Postage ($5 x 321 x 2 = $3210)	11,877 385 hr $14,245 $10,914

c. Catcher Vessel trawl gear daily fishing logbook (DFL) [UNCHANGED]

Catcher vessels under 60 ft. (18.3 m) LOA using trawl gear are not required to maintain a NMFS logbook.

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 voluntary in place of the DFL.

Catcher Vessel trawl gear DFL (inactive)

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.”

Catcher Vessel trawl gear DFL (active)

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

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 (1588.40) Time/active response (18 min x 5168 = 1550.4 Time/inactive response (5 min x 456 = 38 Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 1588) Total miscellaneous cost Cost to mail DFL logsheets ($2.50 x 4 qtr x 152)	152 5,624 1,588 hr $58,756 $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

d. Vessel Activity Report (VAR). [UNCHANGED]

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.

Except as noted below, the operator of a vessel carrying fish or fish product onboard must submit a VAR before the vessel crosses the seaward boundary of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off Alaska or crosses the U.S.-Canadian international boundary between Alaska and British Columbia

♦ catcher vessel greater than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA,

♦ catcher/processor or a mothership required to hold a Federal fisheries permit (FFP)

If a vessel is carrying non-Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) groundfish and IFQ halibut, Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) halibut, IFQ sablefish or Crab Rationalization Program (CR) crab, the operator must submit a VAR in addition to an IFQ Departure Report required by § 679.5(l)(4).

Exception: 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).

When complete, submit the VAR

♦ by fax to NOAA Fisheries Office for Law Enforcement (OLE)

907-586-7313

♦ or by email to [email protected]

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.

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

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 x 194) Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 45) Total miscellaneous cost (459.70) Fax($6 x 75 = 450) e-mail (0 x 119 = 0) photocopy (.05 x 194 = 9.70)	194 194 45 hr $1,665 $460

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

e. Shoreside Processor Check-in/check-out reports [UNCHANGED]

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 is required to submit a check-in report (BEGIN message) prior to becoming active in a groundfish fishery and to submit a check-out report (CEASE message) upon completion of that participation for every check-in report submitted. A shoreside processor or SFP is active when receiving or processing groundfish.

The check–in report and check–out report may be submitted by fax to 907–586–7131.

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 https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/rr-forms.

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 in pounds or to the nearest 0.001 mt.

Shoreside processor Check-in/out Report, Respondent
Total number of respondents Shoreside processors = 110 Stationary floating processors = 14 Total annual responses No. responses per respondent = 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 x 110 x 30 = 0) Photocopy (.05 x 30 x 124 = 186)	124 3,720 310 hr $11,470 $2,706

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

f. Mothership Check-in/Check-out Report [UNCHANGED]

Except as noted below, the operator of a mothership must submit to NMFS a check–in report (BEGIN message) prior to becoming active and a check–out report (CEASE message) for every check–in report submitted. The check–in report and check–out report must be submitted by fax to 907–586–7131, or by e–mail to [email protected].

Exceptions.

VMS onboard. The operator of a mothership is not required to submit to NMFS a check–in report or check–out report if the vessel is carrying onboard a transmitting Vessel Monitoring System that meets the requirements of § 679.28(f).

Transit through reporting areas. The operator of a mothership is not required to submit a check-in or check-out report if the vessel is transiting through a reporting area and is not receiving fish.

The operator must submit a check-in report and a check-out report according to the following table:

For	Submit a BEGIN message	Submit a CEASE message
Each reporting area, except area 300, 400, 550 or 690	Before receiving groundfish, must check-in to reporting area(s) where groundfish were harvested. May be checked in to more than one area simultaneously.	Within 24 hours after receipt of fish is complete from that reporting area. If receipt of groundfish from a reporting area is expected to stop for at least one month during the fishing year and then start up again, may submit check-out report for that reporting area.
COBLZ or RKCSA	Before receiving groundfish harvested with trawl gear that were harvested in the COBLZ or RKCSA, submit one check-in for the COBLZ or RKCSA and another check-in for the area outside the COBLZ or RKCSA.	Upon completion of groundfish receipt, submit a separate check-out for the COBLZ or RKCSA and another check-out for the area outside the COBLZ or RKCSA.
Gear Type	If harvested in the same reporting area but using more than one gear type, prior to receiving groundfish submit a separate check-in for each gear type.	Upon completion of receipt of groundfish, submit a separate check-out for each gear type for which a check-in was submitted.
CDQ	Prior to receiving groundfish CDQ, if receiving groundfish under more than one CDQ number, use a separate check-in for each CDQ number.	Within 24 hours after receipt of groundfish CDQ has ceased for each CDQ number.
Exempted or Research Fishery	Prior to receiving groundfish, submit a separate check-in for each type.	Upon completion of receipt of groundfish submit a separate check-out for each type for which a check-in was submitted.
Aleutian Islands Pollock (AIP)	Before receiving AIP.	Within 24 hours after receipt of AIP has ceased.
Processor Type	If a catcher/processor and functioning simultaneously as a mothership in the same reporting area, before functioning as either processor type.	Upon completion of simultaneous activity as both catcher/processor and mothership, a separate check-out, one for catcher/ processor and one for mothership.
Change of fishing year	If continually active through the end of one fishing year and at the beginning of a second fishing year, submit a check-in for each reporting area to start the year on January 1.	If a check-out report was not previously submitted during a fishing year for a reporting area, submit a check-out report for each reporting area on December 31.
Interruption of Production	If receipt of groundfish is expected to stop for at least one month during the fishing year and then start up again, the manager or operator may choose to submit a check-out report.

Mothership Check-in/Check-out Report

Identification

Original/revised Report

Vessel Name

ADF&G Processor Code

Federal Fisheries Permit Number

Representative name, telephone number, and fax number

COMSAT No.

Management Program.

CHECK-IN REPORT (BEGIN MESSAGE).

Date and Time

Position Coordinates where groundfish receipt begins

Federal Reporting Area where groundfish receipt begins

COBLZ or RKCSA (if applicable)

Primary and Secondary Target Species Codes.

CHECK-OUT REPORT (CEASE MESSAGE).

Date and Time

Position Coordinates

Federal Reporting Area where the last receipt of groundfish was completed

Mothership Check-in/out Report, Respondent
Total number of respondents Total annual responses No. responses = 30 Total Burden Hours (3.50) Time per response (7 min) Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 4) Total miscellaneous cost (181.50) Fax ($6 x 1 x 30 = 180) Photocopy (.05 x 30 x 1 = 1.5)	1 30 4 hr $148 $182

Mothership Check-in/out Report, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total Burden Hours (2.50) Time per response (5 min) Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 3) Total miscellaneous cost	30 3 hr $111 0

g. Product Transfer Report (PTR). [UNCHANGED]

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.

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.

♦ 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 Registered Crab Receiver (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 (907-586-7313) or email ([email protected]) to OLE, Juneau, AK 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 fax (907-586-7313) or email ([email protected]) to OLE, Juneau, AK 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 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 (0 x 18800)

832 18,885 6,295 hr $232,915 $1,454

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 and logsheets may be viewed on the NMFS Alaska Region web page at

https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/rr-forms. The forms are fillable for completion on screen, and may be printed and submitted to NMFS by mail or fax. The PTR may be submitted as an attachment to an email.

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.

In 2013, 316 vessels landed IFQ sablefish in the GOA. Of those, 311 are classified as small entities and five are not. Four of the five entities in this latter group are catcher/processors that share a known business affiliation and had combined gross revenues of more than $20.5 million . The fifth entity is a catcher vessel that is a member of a Bering Sea crab cooperative whose members had combined gross revenues of more than $20.5 million.

Small entities who voluntarily adopt the pot longline gear would face some additional recordkeeping and reporting requirements. The owners of vessels on which pot longline gear is used will have to register to receive pot tags, and will have to submit an affidavit in order to receive a replacement for lost tags. Skippers on pot longline vessels will be required to use logbooks and VMS, and must also submit a PNOL that declares the number of pots fished, lost, and still fishing at the time of landing. Any adverse impact resulting from these additional requirements, in the result of extra time spent fulfilling requirements or additional expenditures on pot tags, is expected to be small relative to total gross fishing revenue.

Also, any additional burden from meeting requirements would be outweighed by the positive impact of reducing whale depredation. Small entities that take on additional recordkeeping and reporting requirements may have experienced greater adverse impacts from depredated hook-and-line gear. Moreover, adverse recordkeeping and reporting impacts can be avoided by fishermen who judge the recordkeeping and reporting impact to be excessive by choosing not to switch to pot longline gear.

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

The action is proposed to minimize fishery interaction with marine mammals and seabirds and adverse impacts on the sablefish IFQ fleet from depredation by sperm whales and killer whales. Depredation has negative consequences for the sablefish IFQ fleet through reduced catch rates and increased operating costs. Depredation also has negative consequences for the whales through increased risk of vessel strike, gear entanglement, fisherman aggression, and altered foraging strategies. If the collection were not conducted, impacts of marine mammals and seabirds would continue unchecked.

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 proposed rule (RIN 0648-BF42) will be published in the Federal Register coincident with this notice to solicit comments.

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: 604 (321 catcher vessel lgl, 152 catcher vessel trw,

6 catcher/processor lgl, 124 shoreside processor and stationary floating processor, 1 mothership), up from 368. Estimated total responses: 41,548, up from 37,436. Estimated total burden: 15,691 hr, up from 12,478 hr. Estimated total personnel costs (average wage equivalent to a GS-7 employee in Alaska, including COLA, at $37/hour): $344,414, down from $481,518.

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: $9,532, up from $9,501.

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

The estimated total responses: 40,336, up from 37,411. The estimated total burden: 4,131, up from 3,703 hours. The estimated total personnel cost: $ 152,847, up from $ 134,421. Total estimated miscellaneous cost: $ 16,286, up from $ 12,512.

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

Program Changes

This action provides for a commercial fishery for IFQ sablefish using longline pot gear in the GOA. This action is necessary to improve efficiency of the IFQ sablefish fleet and reduce fishery interactions with whales and seabirds.

Catcher vessel longline and pot gear DFL

an increase of 111 respondents, 321 instead of 210

an increase of 4,107 responses, 11,877 instead of 7,770

an increase of 3,062 hr burden, 6,447 instead of 3,385

an increase of $153,680 personnel costs, $2,386 instead of $156,066

an increase of $1,110 miscellaneous costs, $3,210 instead of $2,100

Catcher/processor longline and pot gear DCPL

an increase of 180 hr burden, 1,002 instead of 822

an increase of $6,660 personnel costs, $37,074 instead of $30,414

The following adjustments are necessary in the following forms and logbooks due to changes in number of respondents based on actual rather than estimated values.

Catcher vessel trawl gear DFL

a decrease of 30 hr burden, 1,588 instead of 1,618

a decrease of $1,110 personnel costs, $58,756 instead of $59,866

Vessel activity report (VAR)

a decrease of 14 respondents, 194 instead of 208

a decrease of $148 personnel costs, $1,665 instead of $1,813

a decrease of $6 miscellaneous costs, $460 instead of $466

Shoreside Check-in/Check-out report

a decrease of 74 respondents, 124 instead of 50

a decrease of $11,174 personnel costs, $11,470 instead of $296

a decrease of $165 miscellaneous costs, $2,706 instead of $2,871

Mothership Check-in/Check-out report

a decrease of $32 miscellaneous costs, $182 instead of $150

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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