0575 Supporting Statement 040617

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

ALASKA PACIFIC HALIBUT FISHERIES: CHARTER RECORDKEEPING

OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0575

This request is for extension of an existing collection.

INTRODUCTION

Management of and regulations for Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) in Alaska are developed on the international, Federal, and state levels by the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Region (NMFS), and the State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G). The IPHC and NMFS manage fishing for Pacific halibut through regulations (see https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/sport-halibut) established under authority of the Convention between the United States Halibut Fishery of the Northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea (Convention), the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982, 16 U.S.C. 773c (Halibut Act), and Section 303(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).

Regulations for the charter halibut fishery in Alaska are determined annually by the Council and the IPHC. NMFS publishes these regulations each year as part of the IPHC Annual Management Measures. Regulations are found at 50 CFR parts 300.60 through 300.66 and at 50 CFR 679.5(l)(7) (see https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/rules-notices/search/category/halibut-49?search_api_views_fulltext=annual+management+measures).

A Halibut Catch Sharing Plan in IPHC Area 2C (Southeast Alaska) and Area 3A (South Central Alaska) was developed for the guided sport and commercial fisheries and implemented by the NMFS in January 2014 (78 FR 75844, December 12, 2013) (https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/csp-faq1115.pdf).

The HCS Plan is an annual process for allocating halibut between the charter and commercial halibut fisheries in Areas 2C and 3A. It establishes sector allocations that vary in proportion with changing levels of annual halibut abundance and that balance the differing needs of the charter and commercial halibut fisheries over a wide range of halibut abundance in each area. The HCS Plan describes a public process by which the Council develops recommendations to the IPHC for charter angler harvest restrictions (annual management measures) that are intended to limit harvest to the annual charter halibut fishery catch limit in each area. For all IPHC management areas, it is prohibited to conduct commercial and sport fishing (including charter) for halibut from the same vessel on the same day.

Associated OMB collections are OMB 0648-0592 (Charter Permits), OMB 0648-0665 (Community Quota Entity (CQE) Program) and OMB Control No. 0648-0272 (Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program).

A. JUSTIFICATION

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

The charter halibut sector in Area 2C and Area 3A in Alaska are managed to charter catch limits established under the HCS Plan. Charter operators are required to record all halibut caught and kept by charter vessel anglers in the ADF&G Saltwater Charter Logbook. Logbook reporting is the basis for estimating annual charter harvests of halibut relative to the charter catch limits.

The HCS Plan authorizes annual transfers of commercial halibut IFQ (OMB Control No. 0648-0272) as guided angler fish (GAF) to charter halibut permit holders for harvest in the charter halibut fishery. GAF offers charter halibut permit holders in Area 2C or Area 3A an opportunity to lease a limited amount of IFQ from commercial quota share (QS) holders to allow charter clients to harvest halibut in addition to, or instead of, the halibut harvested under the daily bag limit for charter anglers. GAF harvested in the charter halibut fishery will be accounted for as commercial halibut IFQ harvest. This collection of information allows GAF harvests to be tracked and properly debited from the appropriate IFQ accounts.

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. ADF&G Saltwater Sport Fishing Charter Trip Logbook [REVISED descriptive text and burden estimates]

Regulations at 50 CFR 300.65 require halibut charter vessels operating in IPHC Areas 2C and 3A to submit Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) Saltwater Sport Fishing Charter Trip Logbook (Charter Logbook) data sheets, see http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=prolicenses.forms ). The Charter Logbook is the primary reporting requirement for operators in the charter fisheries for all species harvested in saltwater in IPHC Reporting Areas 2C and 3A. ADF&G compiles the Charter Logbook data to show where fishing occurs, the extent of participation, and the species and the numbers of fish caught and harvested by individual anglers. In recent years, the ADF&G added Charter Logbook reporting requirements to accommodate Federal halibut charter regulations.

The charter vessel guide is responsible for complying with the following recordkeeping and reporting requirements by the end of the calendar day or by the end of the charter vessel fishing trip, whichever comes first.

• Use a separate data sheet for each calendar day that halibut are caught and retained during a multi-day trip.

• Use a separate data sheet for each charter vessel fishing trip if two or more trips were taken on the same day.

• Record each charter fishing trip on one data sheet, unless halibut are caught in both Area 2C and in Area 3A, in which case use an additional data sheet to record halibut caught in the second area.

• Retain all data sheets showing halibut harvest for 2 years after the end of the fishing year for which the logbook was issued.

• Make the data sheets available for inspection upon the request of an authorized officer.

Deadlines:

For a charter vessel fishing trip during which halibut were caught and retained

• on or after the first Monday in April and on or before December 31, data sheets must be submitted to the ADF&G and postmarked or received no later than 14 calendar days after the Monday of the fishing week (as defined in 50 CFR 300.61)

• on January 1 through the first Sunday in April, data sheets must be submitted to the ADF&G and postmarked or received no later than the second Monday in April.

Each charter vessel angler who retains halibut caught in IPHC areas 2C or 3A must acknowledge that his or her name, license number (if required), and number of halibut retained are recorded correctly by signing the Charter Logsheet on the line that corresponds to the angler's information.

Because the charter vessel guide must verify the signature of each charter vessel angler, the cost and burden of the angler signature are included in the guide burden and cost.

Information collected in ADF&G Charter Logbook

Charter vessel guide requirements.

Month and day for each charter vessel fishing trip

Alaska Guide License number for the current year

GAF permit number

Before a charter vessel fishing trip begins, record for each charter vessel angler

Alaska Sport Fishing License number for the current year, or resident permanent license number or disabled veteran license number if an annual license number is not required

Name of each paying and nonpaying charter vessel angler on board that will fish for halibut

Name of each angler not required to have an Alaska Sport Fishing License or its equivalent

Total number of halibut caught and retained

Total number of GAF halibut retained

Acknowledge that the recorded information is correct by signing the logbook data sheet

The charter vessel guide must ensure that each charter vessel angler signs the logbook

GAF Permit Number:

If GAF halibut are caught and kept during a charter vessel fishing trip, the guide must record the GAF permit number on the logbook page for that trip and have a copy of the GAF permit and GAF permit log onboard the vessel during that trip. The GAF permit number in the logbook allows ADF&G and NOAA Fisheries Office for Law Enforcement (OLE) staff to cross reference the GAF electronic reports and the GAF permits and logs.

The number of respondents is assumed to equal the number of charter halibut permit (CHP) holders. The number of respondents changed from 696 in the previous OMB approval to 583 to reflect the approximate current number of CHP holders There are currently 1,086 CHP permits held by these 583 CHP holders (968 regular, 7 military morale, welfare, and recreation permits (MWR), and 111 CQE CHPs). The number of trips per CHP changed from 34 to 35.Assuming an average of 35 trips per CHP, the potential number of responses was changed from 23,664 to 38,010. Because the number of responses increased, the burden costs increased from 1,972 hr to 2,534 hr. The response time was changed from 5 minutes to 4 minutes. At $37/hr, personnel costs changed from $49,300 to $93,758.

Logbook sheets must be submitted to ADF&G weekly between April 2 and the end of the season. Although the season technically doesn't end until December 31, 99 percent of all charter fishing has been completed by the end of September each year. So for the purposes of estimating the mailing costs, we assumed that the season will run 26 weeks. That means, at the most, a permit holder would mail 26 envelopes at $0.49 each. If all 583 permit holders submitted logbook sheets every week during the season, the total cost would be (583 x 26 x $0.49 = $7,427). We assume that each envelope will cost $0.03 (583 x 26 x $0.03 = $455). The total cost of mailing (rounded) is estimated to be $7,882. This estimate is likely high because it is unlikely that all permits would be used every week of the season. However, it is also likely that a permit holder with several permits could be allowing several businesses to use those permits so the logbook sheets would be submitted separately.

ADF&G Charter Logbook, Respondents
Total number of guide respondents Total number of permits (CHP) Total annual responses (35 trips x 1086 permits) Frequency of response = 35 trips/CHP Total annual time burden Estimated response time = 4 min Total personnel costs ($37/hr x 2,534 hr) Total miscellaneous costs (mailing costs, see above)	583 1,086 38,010 2,534 hr $ 93,758 $7,882

Federal use of the ADF&G Charter Logbook and fishing license information requires additional staff time. Federal staff is required to coordinate with ADF&G and respond to agency needs. A part-time NMFS or NMFS OLE staff person is required to process and query operator, business, and angler information. This person also assists NMFS OLE with the collection of evidence, administrative correspondence, preparation of cases, and maintenance of the database by working closely with NMFS programmers and ADF&G staff as needed. The annual cost for a GS-9 part-time NMFS staff person (estimated at $37/hr) is approximately $50,000 annually.

Programmer time was required to build and maintain a secure Federal database. Periodic data transfers occur, with programmer time required to maintain the Federal database and workstation structure. Maintenance of this database is minimal, requiring one to two weeks of programmer time annually. The estimated cost for NMFS programmer time is $2,500 to $5,000 annually.

Enforcement requires regular on-site observations and visits by enforcement officers to areas where halibut are harvested and landed by charter vessels. These areas include remote areas, such as lodges and urbanized areas. The enforcement officers check for failures to record retained halibut, incomplete information in the logbook, and inaccurate information in the logbook. An additional four enforcement officers were hired and are based in Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan, Alaska. The cost for four additional enforcement officers is approximately $600,000 annually.

We use the same logbook as the ADFG logbook, so there is no additional paper cost. ADFG shares the data with NMFS.

Charter Logbook, Federal Government
Total Responses Total annual time burden Total personnel costs Part-time NMFS staff person, 2000 hr = $50,000 Programmer, 1-2 weeks at $2,250 per week = $5,000 4 Enforcement officers @ $150,000 per year = $600,000 Total miscellaneous costs	0 0 $655,000 $0

b. Electronic and manual GAF landing report [REVISED descriptive text and burden estimates]

A GAF permit holder, who is also the Charter Halibut Permit holder, must obtain at his or her own expense the technology (computer and Internet connection) required to support the NMFS-approved electronic reporting system to report GAF halibut landings (eFISH). The GAF program is voluntary, and charter permit holders can weigh their own costs and benefits of participating in the program.

A GAF permit holder must use the NMFS-approved electronic reporting system on the Alaska Region web site through eFISH (https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/webapps/efish/login) to submit a GAF landing report. The GAF permit holder must enter information for each GAF halibut caught and retained by an angler on a charter vessel fishing trip.

Deadline: GAF landing reports must be submitted by 2359 hours Alaska local time on the last calendar day of a charter vessel fishing trip.

GAF permit holders are required to report GAF landings in eFISH in a timely fashion in order to debit those landings from the IFQ holder’s account as soon as possible, and to flag any other potential problems. Electronic reporting alerts GAF permit holders of their account balance and alerts the GAF permit holder and OLE if the account has been overdrawn. Without electronic reporting, more GAF accounts would likely be overdrawn.

Upon submission of a daily electronic GAF landing report, eFISH issues a GAF Report submission confirmation number which the GAF permit holder must record on the GAF permit log on the back of the GAF permit. This confirmation number allows cross reference of the Charter Logbook data and the electronic GAF report by management and OLE staff.

A manual GAF landing report is available in case the Internet or computer system is down or if the respondent needs to change a previously reported GAF landing. It is estimated at the same burden and cost as the electronic report.

Electronic GAF reporting is required:

1. For respondents to access current account balances for account management and regulatory compliance

2. For NMFS management:

• To monitor account transfers and GAF landings history.

• To manage permit accounts, conduct transfers, and assess fees.

3. For OLE:

• To monitor transfers between IFQ and GAF

• To monitor compliance with authorized GAF harvests and other program rules.

In 2016, 43 CHP holders used GAF and that number has remained fairly constant for the 3 years of the program. GAF landings are reported only on trips in which GAF were harvested. In 2016, there were 534 reports submitted by 43 operators (average12 reports per operator), requiring 5 minutes for each report. Even though all CHP holders could potentially use GAF, this is extremely unlikely. For PRA purposes, an estimated 100 CHP holders would or will ever use GAF.

The following information must be entered for each retained GAF.

GAF electronic landing report

ADF&G Charter Logbook number

Vessel identification number for vessel on which GAF were caught and retained

ADF&G vessel registration number (AK number) or

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) documentation number

GAF permit number

ADF&G sport fishing guide license number held by the charter vessel guide

Total number of GAF caught and retained

Total length (in inches) of each GAF retained

Community charter halibut permit only:

community or port where charter vessel fishing trip began (where charter vessel anglers boarded the vessel)

community or port where charter vessel fishing trip ended (where charter vessel anglers or fish were offloaded from the vessel)

GAF confirmation number issued by electronic reporting system

Manual GAF report

Confirmation Number (complete to change a previously reported GAF landing.)

Reason for Submitting Manual Reporting Form

Date and time reported

GAF Permit Number

GAF Permit Holder ID Number

GAF Permit Holder Name

Guide License Number

ADF&G Saltwater Logbook Number

USCG Vessel Documentation Number OR

State Vessel Registration Number

Trip Start Location (CQE only)

Trip End Location (CQE only)

Number of GAF Harvested

Multi-day Fishing Trip (circle YES or/ NO)

Harvest Date

Logbook Page Number

Halibut Length

Name of Person Submitting Report

Contact Number

Signature

Data Tech Signature and Date (NMFS only)

The number of respondents (GAF permit holders) was changed number from 696 to 43 to reflect the average number of GAF permit holders each year. Similarly the number of responses (GAF landings reports) was changed from 23,664 to 516 to reflect the number of reports submitted in 2016. The number of trips (reports) per respondent was changed from 34 to 12. The time burden was reduced from 1,972 hr to 9 hr to reflect the smaller number of respondents. Likewise, the personnel costs were reduced from $49,300 to $1,591. Miscellaneous online costs were reduced from $1,183 to 0.

GAF Electronic Landing Report, Respondents
Total number of guide respondents Total annual responses (12 x 43 respondents) Frequency of response = 12 responses per respondent Total annual time burden (43 hr) Estimated response time = 5 min Total personnel costs ($37/hr x 43 hr) Total miscellaneous costs Online cost = 0	43 516 43 $1,591 0

GAF Electronic Landing Report, Federal Government
Total responses Frequency per response = 1 Total annual time burden (8.6 hr) Estimated response time = 1 min Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 9) Total miscellaneous costs	516 9 hr $333 0

c. GAF permit log (REVISED descriptive text and burden estimates)

Upon receipt of a GAF electronic landing report, eFISH issues a confirmation number for the GAF permit holder (respondent) to keep as evidence that NMFS received the GAF landing report and the GAF account was properly debited. On the back of each GAF permit is printed a form called the GAF permit log (see https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/gafpermitlog.pdf.) The GAF permit holder must record the confirmation number and GAF fish information on the GAF permit log after a trip in which GAF halibut were retained. This information must be available for enforcement officers to review when they board a vessel.

A GAF permit holder may have several GAF permits and GAF permit logs by the end of the season. The GAF permit holder is required to retain all GAF permits and GAF permit logs, along with their ADF&G saltwater logbooks, for two years for inspection upon request of an authorized enforcement officer.

Information collected on the GAF Permit Log

1. Date that GAF was caught and retained

2. Length of GAF. Halibut lengths are measured to the nearest inch in a straight line from the anterior-most tip of the lower jaw with the mouth closed to the extreme end of the middle of the tail.

3. GAF electronic landing report confirmation number

As with the GAF electronic report, the number of respondents was reduced from 696 to 43to better reflect the actual number of GAF Program participants in 2016. The number of responses (GAF permit log entries) was reduced from 23,664 to 516. The average number of trips was reduced from 34 to 12. The total time burden was reduced from 789 hr to 17 hr, which reduced personnel costs from $19,725 to $1,591. Miscellaneous online costs were reduced from $1,183 to 0.

GAF Permit Log, Respondents
Total number of respondents Total annual responses (12 x 43) Frequency of response = 12 trips/respondent Total annual time burden (17.20 hr) Estimated response time = 2 min Total personnel costs ($37/hr x 17 hr) Total miscellaneous costs Online cost = 0	43 516 17 hr $629 0

GAF Permit Log, Federal Government
Total number of respondents Total annual responses Total annual time Total personnel costs Total miscellaneous costs	0 0 0 0 0

It is anticipated that the information collected will be disseminated to the public or used to support publicly disseminated information. NMFS 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 GAF electronic landing report is submitted electronically to NMFS through eFISH. The GAF permit log is printed on the back of each respondent’s permit and is not submitted to NMFS.

The Charter Logbook is a paper logbook issued by ADF&G that is made available to each person receiving a business license to operate as a charter vessel business. The Charter Logbooks are maintained onboard charter vessels; however, the data sheets are submitted to ADF&G. Per the ADF&G procedure, Charter Logbooks are not available for the public to print from the Internet.

ADF&G is currently testing an electronic charter logbook with anticipated implementation in 2018. This electronic logbook will reduce time required for charter vessel guides to complete and submit logbooks.

4. Describe your 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 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.

Halibut charter businesses regulated under this action are all or are almost all expected to be small entities, based upon SBA criteria that their annual gross revenue, from all sources, does not exceed $7.5 million.

This 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.

Management measures to limit charter harvests to their catch limits are established by the IPHC annually. The selection of the appropriate management measures is based in part on estimated harvest under the previous annual management measures, and estimates of future catch limits and charter angler effort. Charter angler harvest is estimated from the ADF&G Charter Logbook.

Without the ADF&G Charter Logbook, or a similar collection of information, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to estimate charter harvest with any level of confidence. Therefore, it would be unknown if modifications to the annual management measures were required to limit harvest to the charter catch limits. This uncertainty could lead to conflicts between the charter and commercial sectors, if it were perceived that the commercial sector was being held to its catch limits under the HCS Plan, but the charter sector was allowed to exceed their limits. Without reliable estimates of charter harvest, the goals of the HCS Plan to maintain each sector’s catch to its limit under the HCS Plan could be compromised.

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

The submission of ADF&G Charter Logbook sheets to ADF&G is dependent on current State requirements for guided sport fish fisheries off Alaska. The GAF permit log is printed on the back on each GAF permit.

8. Provide a copy of 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 October 20, 2016 (81 FR 72571) solicited public comments. Comment period ended Monday, December 19, 2016. No comments were received.

In addition, a survey was sent to participants to further solicit comments. We received comments from two charter fishermen.

The first commenter noted that they sometimes have trouble accessing the internet to file the electronic GAF landing report. He was happy to be informed of the availability of the manual GAF landing report and said that they would keep a copy of the manual landing report form onboard each boat to help gather information and speed the process when making electronic landing reports in the future. He further stated that the electronic landing report is straightforward and specific and that no changes are needed to it. He commented that the GAF permit log is fine and should be left as is. Finally, he commented that any more recordkeeping beyond what they are currently required to do would be onerous.

The second commenter provided the following comments:

State of Alaska Logbooks : My captains and I use the State of Alaska logbooks every day and find that the logbooks are adequate for recording necessary information about each excursion we offer.  It only takes a few minutes to fill out. The only suggestion I would offer is that is a vessel is taking more than 6 people or is taking the same people for multiple days, that they are not required to re-write the fishing license number down every day for the same group. The GAF landing form works well and the electronic version is easily navigated. It has adequate information to be used for any fishermen. I have used it for years and not found it to be too burdensome. Overall, the methods of data collection are not overly burdensome and have over the years provided accurate data that is necessary to determine the harvest levels of the charter fleet in Alaska.

Response: NMFS does not have the authority to revise the requirement that guides complete a new logbook page for each day or to revise the data that are required to be submitted on the State of Alaska logbooks. The State requires a separate logbook page for each day for the species that they manage. NMFS forwarded this comment to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game for its consideration. ADF&G is in the process of implementing an electronic logbook that will greatly reduce the time required to complete record-keeping and reporting requirements of the charter halibut fishery, especially when guides are taking the same anglers on multiple trips. The electronic logbook will automatically populate many of the data fields, and guides will have the ability to copy all of the angler license information from previous trips without having to rewrite or reenter it. This will save guides time as well as improve data timeliness and accuracy. 

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.

Responses to this information request are confidential under section 402(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act as amended in 2006. Responses are also confidential under NOAA Administrative Order 216-100, which sets forth procedures to protect confidentiality of fishery statistics.

The information submitted in the ADF&G logbook collected is protected by Alaska State confidentiality statute AS 16.05.815.

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 respondents: 583 (including the 43 who complete the two GAF reports) instead of 696. Estimated total responses: 39,042 instead of 70,992. Estimated total burden hours: 2,594 instead of 4,733 hr. Estimated total personnel costs: $ 95,978 instead of $ 118,325.

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 #12 above).

Estimated total miscellaneous costs: $7,882 instead of $ 2,366.

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

Estimated total responses: 516 instead of 23,664. Estimated total burden hours: 9 hr instead of 394 hr. Estimated total personnel costs: $655,333 instead of $ 669,578.

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

No Program Changes.

Adjustments are made to reflect current numbers.

ADF&G Charter Halibut Logbook

a decrease of 113 respondents, 583 instead of 696

an increase of 14,346 responses, 38,010 instead of 23,664

an increase of 562 burden hours, 2,534 hr instead of 1,972 hr

an increase of $42,458 personnel cost, $93,758 instead of $49,300

an increase of $7,882 in mailing costs from the previous estimate of zero.

GAF Electronic Landing Report

a decrease of 653 respondents, 43 instead of 696

a decrease of 23,148 responses, 516 instead of 23,664

a decrease of 1,929burden,43instead of 1,972 hr

a decrease of $47,709 personnel cost, $1,591 instead of $49,300

a decrease of $1,183 miscellaneous cost, 0 instead of $1,183

GAF Permit Log

a decrease of 653 respondents, 43 instead of 696

a decrease of 23,148 responses, 516 instead of 23,664

a decrease of 772 burden, 17 instead of 789 hr

a decrease of $19,096 personnel cost, $629 instead of $19,725

a decrease of $1,183 miscellaneous cost, 0 instead of $1,183

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

The overall results of the information collection will be made available to the public through the Council and IPHC meeting processes. This information is typically available on the Internet at

http://www.npfmc.org/ and at http://www.iphc.int/.

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.

The OMB number and expiration date will not be displayed on the Charter Logbook because it is a document of ADF&G. In addition, the OMB number and expiration date will not be displayed on the GAF permit log because it is a printed form on the back of the GAF permit.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement.

Not applicable.

B. COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS

This collection does not employ statistical methods.

17