This action integrates electronic
monitoring (EM) into the North Pacific Observer Program by allowing
EM to be added as an option to monitor fishing activity by vessels
that are in the partial observer category. Under this action, NMFS
would establish a process for owners or operators of vessels using
nontrawl gear to request to be placed in the “EM selection pool”
and requirements for vessel owners or operators while in the EM
selection pool. This action was requested by the fishing industry
and supported by NMFS and the North Pacific Fishery Management
Council to improve the collection of data needed for the
conservation, management of groundfish and halibut in the federally
managed fisheries off Alaska.
PL:
Pub.L. 194 - 265 303 Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act as amended in 2006
Adjustments NMFS adjusts upward
the number of respondents using ODDS to log fishing trips and the
number of fishing trips (responses) being logged each year based on
the most recently available data (2015). Program Change This action
will allow vessels in the partial coverage category to carry an EM
system in lieu of observer coverage for the purposes of collecting
catch information for fisheries management. The three reporting
requirements below increase the reporting/recordkeeping costs. 1)
The vessel owner must request to be placed in the EM selection pool
and to be removed from the EM selection pool annually using ODDS.
2) Vessels in the EM selection pool will need to submit a VMP to
NMFS annually, and will be provided an opportunity for an
administrative appeal if NMFS does not approve the VMP. 3) At the
end of each trip selected for EM coverage, the hard drives must be
shipped to NMFS. These program changes do not result in an increase
in the number of respondents, but do increase the number of
responses and total burden hours.
$68,196
No
No
No
No
No
Uncollected
Sally Bibb 907 586-7389
No
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.