SUPPORTING STATEMENT
ALASKA REGION
SCALE & CATCH WEIGHING REQUIREMENTS
OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0330
This action is a request for extension of an existing collection.
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 to prepare and amend fishery management plans for any fishery in waters under its jurisdiction.
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) manages the U.S. groundfish fisheries of the exclusive economic zone off Alaska under the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA FMP) and the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP). NMFS manages the crab fisheries in the waters off the coast of Alaska under the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab. Catcher/processors participate in Crab Rationalization (CR) Program fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). The fishery management plans were approved by the Secretary of Commerce under authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act as amended in 2006. The fishery management plans are implemented by regulations at 50 CFR parts 679 and 680.
JUSTIFICATION
Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.
The At-Sea Scales Program was developed in response to the need for catch accounting methods that were more precise and verifiable at the level of the individual haul and less dependent on estimates generated by at-sea observers. This was necessary due to the implementation of large-scale catch share programs that required NMFS to provide verifiable and defensible estimates of quota harvest. The requirements for weighing catch at sea were implemented in 1998 (63 FR 5836, February 4, 1998) and affected only trawl catcher/processors participating in the Multiple Species Western Alaska Community Development Quota Program (CDQ Program).
Since implementation, the At-Sea Scales Program has been expanded several times. It expanded significantly in 2000 because of statutory requirements of the American Fisheries Act (AFA) that required all at-sea catch by specified vessels in the BSAI pollock fishery to be weighed (65 FR 4520, January 28, 2000). Further expansion occurred in 2007 to include trawl catcher/processors participating in the Central Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Rockfish Pilot Program (71 FR 67210, November 20, 2006) and non-AFA catcher/processors participating in BSAI trawl fisheries (72 FR 52668, September 14, 2007). The program expanded in 2013 to include freezer longliners that participate in BSAI Pacific cod fisheries (77 FR 59053, September 26, 2012). The program was refined in 2015 to address advancements to scale technology that improve scale accuracy monitoring and reporting, and address enforcement concerns about compliance with at-sea scale regulations (79 FR 68610, November 18, 2014).
Shoreside processors participating in catch share programs have many of the same catch accounting and monitoring goals as those described above. However, there are two differences that require unique monitoring tools to obtain precise and verifiable catch amounts for quota management. First, shoreside processors vary more in size, facilities, and layout than do catcher/processors or motherships. Second, the State of Alaska is responsible for approving scales used for trade by shoreside processors and has developed an effective program for their inspection and approval.
Because of the wide variations in factory layout, a performance based catch monitoring system is more appropriate for shoreside processors than a type approval process used for at-sea scales. CMCPs (Catch Monitoring and Control Plans) and CMPs (Crab Monitoring Plans) are submitted by the representative from the shoreside processor and approved by NMFS. CMCPs and CMPs detail a series of performance based standards set out in regulation that ensure that all delivered catch can be effectively monitored by NMFS-authorized personnel, that NMFS-authorized personnel can effectively conduct their monitoring duties, and that all catch is accurately sorted and weighed by species.
The requirements for CMCPs were implemented in 2002 (67 FR 79692, December 20, 2002) and affected all shoreside processors receiving deliveries from AFA catcher vessels. The AFA shoreside processor CMCP program was modified in 2010 (75 FR 53026, August 30, 2010) to include provisions to ensure all Chinook salmon could be counted by an observer. Shoreside processors receiving deliveries from vessels participating in the CR Program implemented the use of CMPs in 2005 (70 FR 10174, March 2, 2005). Further expansion occurred in 2007 (71 FR 67210, November 20, 2006) to include shoreside processors participating in the Rockfish Pilot Program. This program was refined in 2012 and renamed the Central GOA Rockfish Program (76 FR 81248, December 27, 2011).
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.
The information presented is outlined below:
Catcher/Processors Catch Weighing and Monitoring Systems 3
Scale Type Evaluation [reinstated] 5
INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE 6
Installation and maintenance of motion-compensated at-sea scales 6
Installation and maintenance of observer sampling stations 6
Installation and maintenance of video monitoring systems 7
Inspection Request Form (Observer Sampling Station, Video, And At-Sea Scales) [revised] 7
Notify the observer of daily scale tests 9
Daily Record of Flow Scale Test [revised] 9
Record of Daily Automatic Hopper Scale Tests 10
PRINTED REPORTS FROM FLOW SCALE 10
Printed report of catch weight and cumulative weight. 11
Printed report, audit trail 11
Printed report from the calibration log 11
Printed report from the fault log 11
PRINTED REPORTS FROM HOPPER SCALE 12
Printed report for catch weight 12
Printed report, audit trail 12
Notification of Pacific Cod Freezer Longline Monitoring Option 14
Shoreside and Floating Processor Catch Monitoring Systems 15
Printed record from scales used to weigh catch 18
Notify observer of Bering Sea pollock or pollock CDQ delivery 18
Printed record from scales used to weigh crab 20
Table A – Total Annual Burden Hours and Labor Costs for Respondents 21
Table B- Total Annual Miscellaneous Costs for Respondents 22
Table C – Total Annual Burden Hours and Labor Costs for Federal Government 23
See the tables in question 15 for explanations of the adjustments to this collection.
Two types of motion-compensated scales for weighing large volumes of catch are currently approved by NMFS. Flow scales (used for groundfish) continuously weigh fish as they move across the weighing platform on a belt. Hopper scales (used by the CR Program) fill a container until the hopper reaches a known weight and then release the fish into a sorting area.
Currently four programs, totaling 68 vessels, require catcher/processors r motherships to weigh their catch at sea.
Fishery |
Number of potential vessels1 |
Number of vessels with current/recent scale approvals |
American Fisheries Act |
22 |
19 |
Amendment 80/Rockfish |
22 |
19 |
BSAI freezer longliners |
34 |
28 |
CR Program |
4 |
2 |
TOTAL |
82 |
68 |
American Fisheries Act (AFA). Subsection 208(e) of the AFA, which took effect on January 1, 1999, lists by name catcher/processors and motherships that are eligible to harvest the catcher/ processor sector BSAI pollock directed fishing allowance. Under statute, AFA catcher/processors and motherships are required to weigh all catch at sea. The regulations requiring the use of at-sea scales can be found at § 679.63(a)(1). All AFA participating vessels must also provide a motion-compensated platform scale for the observer’s use.
Amendment 80 catcher/processor and Central GOA rockfish catcher/processors. Amendment 80 to the BSAI FMP established a quota-based program for non-AFA catcher/processors in the BSAI. Amendment 88 to the GOA FMP established a similar program for catcher/processors that harvest rockfish in the Central GOA. All of the vessels that participate in the catcher/processor sector of the GOA rockfish fishery also participate in Amendment 80 fisheries in the BSAI. Under regulation (§ 679.84(c)(1) for Central GOA rockfish and § 679.93(c)(1) for Amendment 80), all catcher/processors that participate in these fisheries must weigh all catch at sea on a NMFS-approved scale as well as provide a motion-compensated platform scale for the observer’s use.
BSAI Pacific cod freezer longliners. BSAI Pacific cod freezer longliners formed voluntary cooperative in 2012 and requested additional monitoring requirements to assist in management of quota allocations. Under regulation at § 679.100(b)(2), all BSAI Pacific cod freezer longliners must either weigh all Pacific cod caught at sea on a NMFS-approved scale or carry two observers at all times when directed fishing for Pacific cod is open in the BSAI. The vessel must provide a motion-compensated platform scale for the observer’s use.
CR Program catcher/processors. Amendments 18 and 19 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs established requirements that all catcher/processors participating in the CR Program must weigh all crab harvested and processed at sea. Because of the smaller amounts of catch and the need to prevent damage to the crab, these catcher/processors use motion- compensated hopper scales that weigh approximately fifty pounds of crab in each batch. The catcher/processor must provide a motion-compensated platform scale for the observer’s use. The regulations requiring the use of at-sea scales can be found at § 680.23(e)(1).
The owner of a catcher/processor or mothership must use an at-sea scale from the list of scales approved by NMFS for weighing catch at sea. This list is displayed on the NMFS Alaska Region website at: https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/. To be added to this list, the scale must have completed type evaluation and testing.
Type evaluation and testing must be conducted by a laboratory accredited by the government of the country in which the tests are conducted. Before NMFS can approve a model of scale for use, the manufacturer must submit the scale to a certified laboratory for evaluation and testing to insure that the scale meets scale standards. Scales must meet the performance and technical requirements specified in Appendix A to 50 CFR part 679.
Evaluation information provided to NMFS by the scale manufacturers identifies and describes the scale, provides contact information regarding the manufacturer, and provides the results of required scale type evaluations and testing. This information is collected once for each scale type or model. NMFS staff uses this information to determine if a model of scale meets the requirements for approval.
A scale manufacturer may request that NMFS approve a custom built automatic hopper scale under the following conditions: the scale electronics are the same as those used in other scales on the list displayed on the NMFS Alaska Region website; the load cells have received Certificates of Conformance from National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) or International Organization of Legal Metrology Certificates of Conformance (OIML); the scale compensates for motion in the same manner as other scales made by that manufacturer on the list displayed on the NMFS Alaska Region website; and the scale meets all the requirements in paragraph 3 of Appendix A to 50 CFR part 679, except paragraph 3.2.1.1.
The 2014 supporting statement separated scale type evaluations for platform and hanging scales, belt-conveyor (flow) scales, automatic hopper scales, and potential, undefined scales. However, the scale type evaluation conducted by NMFS is identical for all of these scale types. The differences noted in the 2014 supporting statement were for scale type evaluations completed by another government agency and should not be included in this supporting statement. The 2014 supporting statement also inadvertently removed the scale type evaluations from the collection. This supporting statement reinstates this collection.
NMFS received no requests for scale evaluation in the past three years. A scale type evaluation is only triggered if someone wants a new type of scale approved for use at sea. Currently there is one manufacturer with approved scales and one manufacturer that has discussed getting an undefined scale approved. Because details are not available on these scales, the estimate of costs is provided based on previous scale type evaluations. The number of hours required to document a scale’s characteristics varies, depending on the type of scale and the similarity to models that have already been approved.
No form exists for this collection. The requirements are at § 679.28(b)(1). The following data elements are required:
Scale type evaluation
Information about the scale
Name and mailing address of scale manufacturer
Name, mailing address, telephone number, and fax number of manufacturer’s representative
Model and serial number of the scale tested
Written description of scale and diagrams explaining how it operates and compensates for motion
List of the model numbers of all scales for which results are applicable, identifying the differences between the model evaluated in the laboratory and other models listed. The scale may only differ in the elements that perform motion compensation, the size or capacity of the scale, and the software used by the scale.
List and describe types of scale adjustments that will be recorded on the audit trail.
Information about the laboratory
Name and mailing address of laboratory
Telephone and fax number of laboratory representative.
Name and address of government agency accrediting laboratory
Name and signature of person responsible for evaluation of the scale and the date of signature
Checklist
A completed checklist indicating that all applicable technical and performance standards in appendix A to 50 CFR part 679 and the laboratory tests in the annex to appendix A to 50 CFR part 679 have been met.
Verification of test results
Verification that the scale meets laboratory evaluation and testing requirements in appendix A to 50 CFR part 679 and each of the influence quantity and disturbance tests as specified in the annex to appendix A to 50 CFR part 679. The verification may be provided in one of the following methods:
NTEP Certificates of Conformance, test results for a component of the scale or the entire device. Additional information must be submitted to verify compliance with the laboratory tests that are not performed by NTEP.
OIML Certificates of Conformance, test results and data.
This is required when new or replacement vessels enter a fishery that requires an at-sea scale. The purchase, installation, and crew training of a new scale is estimated to cost between $115,300 and $458,800 (median $287,050) and depends on the need to adjust the factory. No respondents are expected to install a new motion-compensated at-sea scale in the near future.
The 2014 supporting statement separated flow scale and automatic hopper scale installation and maintenance, but the reporting burden and costs are the same for both scales; therefore, these collections have been combined. Additionally, scale heads and calibration software were considered a separate collection; but this is part of installation and maintenance and has been combined. The burden costs are estimated at 1 minute to call and schedule service. The total miscellaneous cost to respondents has been updated to reflect annual maintenance costs on all vessels that are required to use a motion-compensated at-sea scale (Table B). No form exists for this collection.
Observer sampling stations are a key component to the At-Sea Scales Program as they improve an observer’s ability to collect quality samples based on weights obtained from at-sea scales. These stations provide a location where observers can work safely and effectively. The sampling stations include a table, a motion-compensated platform scale, slip-proof grating, adequate lighting, and access to fresh- or saltwater. These requirements can be found at § 679.28(d). Observer sampling station installations are expected to cost about $30,300 depending on the amount of modifications to the vessel factory that would be required. No additional installations of observer sampling stations are expected. Annual maintenance of observer sampling stations would be expected to be minimal and would likely be done with other factory modifications initiated by the vessel to improve processing efficiency. No form exists for this collection.
Video monitoring systems are used for compliance with regulatory requirements. Video monitoring systems exist under several regulatory programs: an Amendment 80 vessel or a vessel fishing under the Central GOA Rockfish Program (§ 679.28(i)) chooses the video monitoring or bin monitoring option, BSAI freezer longliners (§ 679.28(k)), AFA catcher/processors to monitor salmon sorting (§ 679.28(j)), and any vessel that is required to use a motion-compensated flow scale (§ 679.28(b)(8). These systems consist of cameras and a digital video recorder (dvr) to record and retain video data. Many vessels have several video monitoring systems, and one camera may cover the requirements for several programs.
The 2014 supporting statement separated the video monitoring systems into different requirements; however the installation and maintenance reporting burden is the same for all types of video monitoring systems, so this collection has been combined. No additional respondents are expected to install a new video system in the near future. No form exists for this collection.
Each scale must be inspected and approved annually before the vessel may participate in any fishery requiring the weighing of catch at sea with an approved scale. A scale inspection is a visual assessment and test of a scale after it is installed on the vessel, while the vessel is tied up at a dock. The regulations requiring an inspection of at-sea scales can be found at § 679.28(b)(2) and § 680.23(e).
Each observer sampling station must be inspected and approved by NMFS prior to its use for the first time and then one time each year within 12 months of the date of the most recent inspection. In addition, if the observer sampling station is moved or if the space or equipment available to the observer is reduced or removed when use of the observer sampling station is required, the observer sampling station must be re-inspected and approved by NMFS. The observer sampling station inspection confirms that the station meets all specifications for size, location, and content. The requirement for observer sampling station inspections can be found at § 679.28(d)(9).
Each video monitoring system (bin monitoring, flow scale monitoring, salmon bycatch monitoring, and BSAI freezer longline monitoring) must be inspected and approved annually by NMFS before a vessel may participate in any fishery requiring the use of a video monitoring system. Any change to the video monitoring system that would affect the system's functionality must be submitted on an inspection request and approved by NMFS. The video monitoring system inspection consists of verification that the camera views show the required elements and the system is able to record the required amount of data. The requirements for video monitoring can be found at § 679.28(e)(2).
Inspection requests for observer sampling station, at-sea scales, and video monitoring all require similar information to be obtained, and the inspections are often conducted at the same time. In order to improve efficiency and reduce the burden to the public, one form is used to request these inspections.
The owner or operator must submit an Inspection Request for Observer Sampling Station, At-sea Scales, and Video Monitoring within 10 working days of date of the desired inspection to NMFS by email, fax, or online. This request form is available on the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/.
The inspection request form is changed to remove fields that are no longer needed. The video system specifications section is removed because NMFS may gather this data at the time of inspection. Additional fields removed include company name, mailing address, fax number of contact, today’s date, and the manufacturer name and model of scale. These changes reduce the reporting burden hours and costs to the public.
The following data elements are collected in the inspection request form:
General
Vessel name
Federal fisheries permit number
Vessel Contact Name
Vessel Contact Phone
Vessel Contact Email
Phone on Vessel
Address of Vessel Location for inspection
At-Sea Scales
Requested inspection date and time
Indicate whether the repair company will be onsite at time of inspection
Repair company name
Observer Sampling Station
Requested inspection date
Video Monitoring
Select which type of video monitoring system to inspect (bin, Chinook salmon bycatch, BSAI freezer longline, flow scale).
Name of individual or company who will install and maintain the system
Name of person on vessel who will maintain system and aid observer
Requested inspection date and time
Indicate whether the video installer will be onsite at the inspection.
Vessel must attach a diagram that is clearly labeled and drawn to scale showing:
Location of each camera and its coverage area
Location of any additional video equipment, including monitors and hard drives
All locations where sorting occurs
Location of motion-compensated flow scale
Trawl C/Ps and motherships show the location(s) where all catch will be weighed, the location where observers will sample unsorted catch, and the location of the observer sampling station, including the observer sampling scale and table.
All other vessels show where catch comes on board the vessel, the location where observers will sample unsorted catch, the location of the observer sampling station, including the observer sampling scale and table.
To verify that the scale is weighing accurately at sea and meets the Maximum Permissible Errors, the vessel operator must test each scale or scale system used by the vessel to weigh catch at least one time during each calendar day. No more than 24 hours may elapse between tests when use of the scale is required. The vessel owner must ensure that these tests are performed in an accurate and timely manner. The at-sea scale tests are conducted daily.
Each vessel operator must notify the observer at least 15 minutes before the time that a scale test will be conducted and must conduct the test while the observer is present. No form exists for this notice; vessel personnel verbally inform the observer that a scale test is scheduled.
This notification combines the previous flow scale and the hopper scale notifications. These notifications follow identical requirements and can be combined. Flow scale inspection notification requirements can be found at § 679.28(b)(3)(iii)(A). Hopper scale inspection notification requirements can be found § 680.23(e)(1)(v)(A).
The daily record of flow scale test records the daily material test that must be conducted by weighing no less than 400 kg of test material, supplied by the scale manufacturer or approved by a NMFS-authorized scale inspector, on the scale being tested. The scale test is conducted by placing the test material or test weights on or across the scale multiple times in order to total 400 kg; however, no single batch of test material may weigh less than 40 kg. The known weight of the test material must be determined at the time of each scale test by weighing it on a platform scale approved for use.
The vessel operator must report the information from all scale tests, including failed tests. Additional recordkeeping is required when multiple tests occur. The reporting of failed tests results in less bias in overall test results and improves NMFS’ ability to monitor scale results. In addition, this results in better consistency in reporting through time. The regulations describing the requirements for the daily flow scale test can be found at § 679.28(b)(3)(iii). The Record of Daily Flow Scale Test is available on the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/.
This form is revised to remove two items: the Beaufort sea scale and the signature of the observer. This change does not affect the burden hour estimates or the costs.
The following data elements are collected on the daily test record:
Vessel name
Signature of vessel operator
Date
Time test started to the nearest minute
Number of sandbags
Weight of sandbags on platform (A)
Number of times each sand bag goes across the scale to reach 400 kg (B)
Multiply (A) x (B) for total weight of sandbags (C)
Total weight of sandbags from flow scale (D)
Error: Subtract flow scale weight from platform scale weight (D)-(C)
% Error: Divide Error by platform scale weight and multiply by 100 (E/Cx100)
Pass/Fail: If the percent error is between -3.0 % and +3.0% the scale passes. You may retest at any time.
Name of Person conducting the test
Observer Cruise Number
A daily scale test must be conducted once every 24 hours when the hopper scale is being used to weigh crab at sea. If the scale fails the daily test, it may be re-tested at any time; however, it may not be used to weigh crab until it passes the daily test. The scale is tested by placing known weights of 25 lb and 50 lb in the center of the scale and recording the result. The regulations describing the requirements for the daily automatic hopper scale test can be found at § 680.23(e)(1)(v). The Record of Daily Automatic Hopper Scale Tests is available on the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/.
The following data elements are collected on the daily test record:
Vessel name
Vessel operator signature
Date
Time test started to the nearest minute
Minimum capacity of scale
Test weights (A)
Weight on scale indicator (B)
Error [(B) – (A)] (C)
% error [C / (A) x 100]
Maximum capacity of scale
Test weights (A)
Weight on scale indicator (B)
Error [(B) – (A)] (C)
% error [C / (A) x 100]
Sea Conditions at time of test (Beaufort Scale—between 1 and 12)
The printed outputs from the flow scale are used by NMFS staff, observers, and NOAA Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) personnel to maintain accurate records of catch and to ensure compliance with quotas. NMFS requires four printed reports: 1) the printed report of catch weight and cumulative weight, 2) the printed report of the audit trail, 3) the printed report from the calibration log, and 4) the printed report from the fault log. All of these reports must be in electronic format that cannot be changed or erased by the vessel operator and can only be cleared by NMFS or other NMFS authorized personnel.
The printed report of catch weight and cumulative weight records the weight of each haul as well as the total weight accrued on the scale since the last annual scale inspection. The vessel operator must print the catch weight and cumulative weight daily when the flow scale is in use.
The audit trail records the metrological adjustments to the scale. An audit trail can only be cleared by NMFS or other authorized personnel. The scale calibration log records the magnitude and direction of a calibration relative to the previous calibration as well as the time a calibration occurred. A fault, for the purposes of the fault log, is any condition detected by the scale electronics that could affect the metrological accuracy of the scale. These reports must be printed on request by NMFS staff or NMFS authorized personnel and must also be printed and retained by the vessel owner before any information stored in the scale computer memory is replaced.
NMFS does not require submission of these printed records but collects and reviews the data at the time of the annual scale inspection. These reports must also be available to NOAA OLE when scale tampering is suspected.
The regulations detailing the requirements for the printed reports from the flow scale are at § 679.28 (b)(5). The following information is required to be part of the electronic printed reports:
Vessel name
FFP or FPP number
Haul or set number
Total weight of catch in the haul or set
Total cumulative weight of all fish or other material weighed on the scale
Date and time the information is printed
Vessel name
FFP or FPP number
Haul or set number
Date and time (A.l.t., to the nearest minute) adjustment was made
Name or type of adjustment being made
Initial and final values of the parameter being changed
Vessel name
FFP or FPP number
Month, day, and year of the calibration
Time of the calibration (A.l.t.) to the nearest minute
Weight used to calibrate the scale
Magnitude of the calibration in comparison to the prior calibration
Vessel name
FFP or FPP number
Month, day, year, and time (A.l.t.) of each startup to the nearest minute
Month, day, year, and time (A.l.t.) that each fault began to the nearest minute
Month, day, year, and time (A.l.t.) that each fault was resolved to the nearest minute
The hopper scale must produce a complete and accurate printed report of the weight of each species in a landing. All of the crab in a delivery must be weighed on a scale capable of producing a complete printed report. The printed reports must be provided in an electronic form that cannot be changed or erased by the scale operator, can be printed at any time, and can be cleared by the scale manufacturer’s representative upon direction by NMFS or by an authorized scale inspector. These reports must be printed on request by NMFS staff or NMFS authorized personnel and must also be printed and retained by the vessel owner before any information stored in the scale computer memory is replaced. These reports must also be available to NOAA OLE when scale tampering is suspected.
A printed report for catch weight of each landing must be printed before the registered crab receiver submits a CR Program crab landing report (see OMB collection number 0648-0515). These printed reports must be printed at least once every 24 hours prior to submitting a CR crab landing report as described in § 680.5.
An audit trail in the form of an event logger must be provided to document changes made using adjustable components. NMFS does not require submission of the audit trail but reviews the data at the time of the annual scale inspection.
The requirements detailing the components of both the printed report for catch weight and the audit trail are at § 680.23(e)(3).
Vessel name
Federal crab vessel permit number
Weight of each load in the weighing cycle
Date and time the information was printed
Total amount weighed since the last printout was made
Total cumulative weight of all crab or other material weighed on the scale
Vessel name
FFP or FPP number
Haul or set number
Date and time (to the nearest minute) that the adjustment was made
Name or type of adjustment being made
Initial and final values of the parameter being changed
Video monitoring is used as a compliance tool in several fisheries managed by the Alaska Region. Video monitoring systems may be used in several different fisheries in which the vessel participates. The video monitoring system does not need to be unique for each of the fisheries, and a vessel owner may use one system to meet the requirements for several fisheries.
The cameras must record in color, have sufficient resolution, and auto-iris capabilities with the ability to revert to black and white when light levels become too low for color recognition. NMFS does not specify the number of cameras, rather describes performance standards that each program must meet. The vessel owner may decide the number of cameras needed to meet those performance standards.
The video monitoring system must have sufficient storage to record all video data from an entire trip. Each frame of recorded data must be time and date stamped in Alaska local time. The system must output files in an open source format or the vessel owner must provide software to view the video files. The system must record at a speed of no less than 5 unique frames per second.
The video data must be maintained by the vessel operator and made available to NMFS staff or any NMFS authorized individuals on request. NMFS staff or any NMFS authorized individuals must be able to view any footage from any point in the trip using a color monitor that can display all cameras simultaneously and must be assisted by crew knowledgeable in the operation of the system. The video data must be retained aboard the vessel for no less than 120 days after the date the video is recorded, unless NMFS has notified the vessel operator that the video data may be retained for less than 120 days.
No form exists for this submission. Video data is requested when NOAA OLE suspects a potential violation or when the NMFS inspection staff requests one hour of video from each vessel to verify camera placements and views remain unobstructed and function as intended. The time it takes to download one hour of the video data varies depending on the amount of data to be downloaded, the number of cameras on the system, and the operating system used. The average time to download the video data and provide it to NMFS is estimated at 2 hours. The vessel operator may also need to provide a USB drive to NMFS to provide the data. NOAA OLE requests for video data are potentially much larger and, because of chain of custody requirements, NOAA OLE officers or agents bring a government hard drive and download the data and do not require action by the vessel operator.
The regulations at § 679.28(e) describe these requirements. The regulations were changed in 2014 (79 FR 68610, November 18, 2014) to combine the technical requirements for all video monitoring systems into one section. This supporting statement is updated to reflect this combination. The performance standards for each type of video monitoring system are described below.
Flow Scale Monitoring
Catcher/processors and motherships required to use at-sea flow scales must also provide and maintain a NMFS-approved video monitoring system. The system must provide sufficient resolution and field of view to monitor all areas where catch enter the scale, move across the scale, and leave the scale; any access point to the scale from which the scale may be adjusted or modified by vessel crew; and the scale display and the indicator for the scale operating in fault mode. The system must also record and retain video for all periods when catch that must be weighed is on board the vessel. The vessel owner must also provide a color monitor in the observer station at eye level that can display all cameras simultaneously.
Chinook Salmon Bycatch Monitoring
Catcher/processors and motherships participating in Bering Sea pollock fisheries, including pollock CDQ, are required to use video to monitor the sorting and retention of salmon. The system must provide sufficient resolution and field of view to monitor all areas where salmon are sorted from the catch, all crew actions in these areas, and salmon in the salmon storage container. The system must also record and retain video for all periods when fish are flowing past the sorting area or salmon are in the storage container. The vessel owner must also provide a color monitor in the observer station at eye level that can display all cameras simultaneously.
BSAI Freezer Longliners
Catcher/processor longliners participating in the BSAI Pacific cod fishery are required to use video to monitor the sorting and weighing of Pacific cod. The system must provide sufficient resolution and field of view to monitor all areas where Pacific cod are sorted from the catch, all fish passing over the flow scale, and all crew actions in these areas. The system must also record and retain video for all periods when Pacific cod are being sorted and weighed.
Video Option for Bin Monitoring
Catcher/processors and motherships participating in the Amendment 80 fishery or the Central GOA Rockfish Program must select one of three monitoring options: 1) no crew in the bin; 2) line of sight, or 3) video monitoring option. These options are required because crew frequently enter the bins to assist fish movement, and past enforcement cases have highlighted this activity as a source of significant biasing of observer data.
No vessels have selected the line of sight option in several years, and NMFS no longer approves this option. The no-crew-in-the-bin option does not require NMFS approval, and the vessel owner is not required to submit anything to NMFS to use this option. If a vessel operator selects the video monitoring option, they must complete the video monitoring inspection request and select the bin monitoring option, described above.
Vessels that select the video monitoring option must ensure that the system is operating at all times when fish are inside the bin. The system must provide sufficient resolution and field of view to monitor all crew activities inside the bin. The vessel owner must also provide a color monitor in the observer station at eye level that can display all cameras simultaneously.
Owners of longline catcher/processors that participate in BSAI Pacific cod fisheries may annually opt out of the fisheries subject to the increased monitoring requirements. If owners of longline catcher/processors that participate in BSAI Pacific cod fisheries do not opt out, the owner must select between two monitoring options: increased observer coverage or scales. The selected option may not be changed during the calendar year. Once a vessel owner selects an option, the vessel is required to operate under that option until the owner notifies NMFS of a change in the selected option. The requirements for notification of opting out and selecting a monitoring option can be found at § 679.100(a) and § 679.100(b). The notification form is available on the NMFS Alaska Region website (http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/).
The following items are included in the form:
Notification of Pacific Cod Freezer Longline Monitoring Option
Vessel Information
Name of vessel
Federal Fishery Permit No.
Name of Vessel Owner or Operator (circle one)
Permanent Business Address
Business Telephone Number
Business Fax Number
Business E-mail Address
Pacific Cod Monitoring Option
Check one to indicate monitoring option
Opt-out of directed fishing for Pacific cod in the BSAI and groundfish CDQ fishing
Motion Compensated Scales
Increased Observer Coverage
See the tables in question 15 for explanations of the adjustments to this collection.
Shoreside processors have similar monitoring, management, and enforcement concerns as their at-sea counterparts in several catch share programs. However, shoreside processors greatly vary in layout, processing capacity, and organization. Therefore, the prescriptive requirements established for the at-sea contingent are not appropriate or efficient. To meet the monitoring, management, and enforcement concerns, NMFS established a set of performance based standards to allow the shoreside processors to describe how they will meet the standards while allowing flexibility for individual operations. CMCPs and CMPs detail how the shoreside processor will ensure that all delivered catch can be effectively monitored by NMFS-authorized personnel, that NMFS-authorized personnel can effectively conduct their monitoring duties, and that all catch is accurately sorted and weighed by species.
The State of Alaska is responsible for approving scales used for trade by inshore processors and has developed an effective program for their inspection and approval; therefore, NMFS does not need to develop a separate testing and approval program.
Currently three programs, totaling 24 shoreside processors, require CMCPs or CMPs.
Fishery |
Number of processors |
American Fisheries Act |
7 |
CGOA Rockfish Program |
7 |
CR Program |
10 |
TOTAL |
24 |
A CMCP is a plan submitted by the owner or manager of each shoreside processor or stationary floating processor (SFP) and approved by NMFS, detailing how the processing plant will meet the catch monitoring and control standards detailed in § 679.28(g)(7). The owner or manager of a shoreside processor or SFP receiving fish harvested in the following fisheries must prepare, submit, and have approved a CMCP prior to the receipt of fish harvested in these fisheries:
AFA pollock,
Aleutian Islands directed pollock,
Central GOA Rockfish Program.
NMFS will annually approve a CMCP if it meets all the performance standards. The processor must be inspected by NMFS prior to approval of the CMCP to ensure that the processor conforms to the elements addressed in the CMCP. The owner or manager may arrange for a CMCP inspection submitting a completed CMCP to NMFS within 10 working days of the requested inspection. The CMCP must be maintained on the premises and made available to authorized officers or NMFS-authorized personnel upon request.
The 2014 supporting statement characterized the CMCP and the CMCP inspection request separately, but it is more accurate to combine these because a processor requests an inspection by submitting a completed CMCP. Additionally the shoreside processor and SFP inseason scales information collection is not part of NMFS’ jurisdiction and is completed by the State of Alaska Division of Weights and Measures; therefore it has been removed. Finally, NMFS test of State scales has been combined as part of the CMCP as it is part of the annual CMCP approval process.
There is no form for this submission. The components that must be in a CMCP are at § 679.28(g)(4) and § 679.28(g)(7). The elements required in a CMCP are as follows:
CMCP
Name and Signature of person submitting CMCP
Address, telephone number, facsimile number, and email address of person submitting CMCP
Catch Sorting and weighing
All groundfish delivered to the plant must be sorted and weighed by species. The CMCP must detail:
Amount and location of space for sorting catch;
Number of staff assigned to catch sorting; and
Maximum rate that catch will flow through the sorting area.
Scales used for weighing groundfish
Identify by serial number each scale used to weigh groundfish and describe the rational for its use
Scale testing procedure
Scales identified in the CMCP must be accurate within the specified limits. For each scale identified in the CMCP, the testing plan must:
Describe the procedure the plant will use to test the scale;
List the test weights and equipment required to test the scale;
List where the test weights and equipment are stored; and
Lists the plant personnel responsible for conducting the scale testing.
Printed record
Request for exemption from printed record
Identification of any scale that cannot produce a complete printed record
Explain how the processor will use the scale
Explain how the plant intends to produce a complete record of the total weight of each delivery
Delivery point
The CMCP must describe the delivery point. The delivery point is the first location where fish removed from a delivering catcher vessel can be sorted or diverted to more than one location.
Observation area
Observation area is location designated on CMCP where individual may monitor the flow of fish during delivery.
Must be freely accessible to NMFS staff or NMFS-authorized personnel at any time a valid CMCP is required.
Must have an unobstructed view or otherwise be able to monitor the entire flow of fish between the delivery point and a location where all sorting has taken place and each species has been weighed.
For processors taking deliveries from vessels directed fishing for pollock in the Bering Sea, provide clear, unobstructed view of the salmon storage container.
Observer work station
Exclusive use of observers.
Observation area located near the observer work station. The plant liaison must be able to walk between the work station and the observation area in less than 20 seconds without encountering safety hazards.
Located in an area protected from the weather where the observer has access to unsorted catch
Provide a platform scale of at least 50 kg capacity
Be at least 4.5 square meters
Include a table (0.6 m deep x 1.2 wide x 0.9 m to 1.1 m high) secured to the floor or wall
A secure and lockable cabinet or locker of at least 0.5 cubic meters
For processors taking deliveries from vessels directed fishing for pollock in the Bering Sea, must be adjacent to the location where salmon will be counted.
Communication with observer
Describe communication equipment (such as radios, pagers or cellular telephones) used to facilitate communications between the plant personnel and the observer.
Plant liaison
Each CMCP must designate a plant liaison responsible for
Orienting new observers to the plant
Assisting in the resolution of observer concerns
Informing NMFS if changes must be made to the CMCP
Diagram
Provide a scale drawing of the plant showing:
The delivery point
The observation area
The observer work station
The location of each scale used to weigh catch
Each location where catch is sorted including the last location where sorting could occur
For processors taking deliveries from vessels directed fishing for pollock in the Bering Sea, the location of the salmon storage container
CMCP Specialist Notification
For processors receiving deliveries from vessels fishing in the Rockfish Program, describe how the CMCP specialist will be notified of deliveries.
An owner or manager of a shoreside processor or SFP must notify NMFS in writing if changes are made in plant operations or layout that does not conform to the CMCP. An owner or manager may change an approved CMCP by submitting a CMCP addendum to NMFS. NMFS will approve the modified CMCP if it continues to meet the performance standards. Not all owners or managers of a shoreside processor will request a change to the CMCP.
No form exists for this collection. The instructions to change the CMCP are at § 679.28(g)(6). The required elements are as follows:
CMCP Addendum
Name and signature of the submitter
Address, telephone number, fax number and email address (if available) of submitter
Describe proposed CMCP change
A scale identified in a CMCP must produce a printed record for each delivery, or portion of a delivery, weighed on that scale. All of the groundfish in a delivery must be weighed on a scale capable of producing a complete printed record. Printouts must be retained and made available to NMFS-authorized personnel including observers. NMFS may exempt scales not designed for automatic bulk weighing from some or all of the printed record requirements if the CMCP identifies any scale that cannot produce a complete printed record, states how the processor will use the scale, and states how the processor intends to produce a complete record of the total weight of each delivery.
The items that must be in the printed and reported are at § 679.28(c)(3) and are detailed below:
Printed record from scales used to weigh catch
Processor name
Weight of each load in the weighing cycle
Total weight of fish in each delivery, or portion of the delivery that was weighed on that scale
Total cumulative weight of all fish or other material weighed on the scale since the last annual inspection
Date and time the information is printed
Name and ADF&G number of the vessel making the delivery (This information may be written on the scale printout in pen by the scale operator at the time of delivery.)
The plant manager or plant liaison must notify the observer of the offloading schedule for each delivery of Bering Sea pollock or pollock CDQ by a catcher vessel at least 1 hour prior to offloading. The regulations requiring this notification can be found at § 679.63(d)(2).
No form exists for this notice. This notice consists of plant personnel verbally informing the observer that a pollock delivery is scheduled.
Notifying the observer of a Bering Sea pollock delivery or a CDQ delivery has been combined as these are identical requirements. There are 7 shoreside processors and SFPs that accept deliveries of Bering Sea or CDQ pollock. The number of respondents has been changed from 8 to 7 based on updated information.
A Crab Monitoring Plan (CMP) is a plan submitted by a shoreside processor or SFPs authorized to receive deliveries of CR Program crab that details how the processors will meet the catch monitoring standards detailed in § 680.23(g)(5). NMFS will annually approve a CMP if it meets all the performance standards. The processor must be inspected by NMFS prior to approval of the CMP to ensure that the processor conforms to the elements addressed in the CMP. The owner or manager may arrange for a CMP inspection submitting a completed CMP to NMFS within 10 working days of the requested inspection. The CMP must be maintained on the premises and made available to authorized officers or NMFS-authorized personnel upon request.
The 2014 supporting statement characterized the CMP and the CMP inspection request separately, but it is more accurate to combine these because a processor requests an inspection by submitting a completed CMP. This CMP template is available on the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/. The following are the required elements that need to be submitted:
CMP
Name and signature of person submitting CMCP
Date of application
Address, telephone number, facsimile number, and email address of person submitting CMCP
Crab Sorting and weighing
All crab, including parts and dead or unmarketable crab, delivered to the processor must be sorted and weighed by species. The CMP must detail how and where crab are sorted and weighed.
Scales used for weighing crab
Identify by serial number each scale used to weigh crab and describe the rational for its use
Scale testing procedure
Scales identified in the CMP must be accurate within specified limits.
A scale testing plan must include:
The procedure the plant will use to test the scale
List the test weights and equipment required to test the scale
List where the test weights and equipment are stored
Lists the plant personnel responsible for conducting the scale testing
Printed record
Observation area
Observation area is location designated in CMP where individual may monitor the offloading and weighing of crab.
Must be freely accessible to observer, NMFS staff, or enforcement aides at any time during the effective period of the CMP.
Must have an unobstructed view or otherwise be able to monitor the entire offload of crab between the first location where crab are removed from the boat and the location where all sorting has taken place and each species has been weighed.
Must be sheltered from the weather and not exposed to unreasonable safety hazards.
Plant liaison
Each CMP must designate a plant liaison responsible for:
Orienting new observers to the plant;
Assisting in the resolution of observer concerns; and
Informing NMFS if changes must be made to the CMP.
Diagram
The CMP must include a drawing of the delivery location showing:
Where and how crab are removed from the delivering vessel;
The observation area;
The location of each scale used to weigh crab; and
Each location where crab is sorted.
An owner or manager of a shoreside or floating processor may change an approved CMP by submitting a CMP addendum to NMFS. Depending on the nature and magnitude of the change requested, NMFS may require a CMP inspection. NMFS will approve the CMP addendum if it continues to meet the performance standards.
The method to request a CMP addendum is at § 680.23(g)(4). The addendum must contain the following:
CMP Addendum
Name and signature of the submitter
Address, telephone number, fax number, and email address (if available) of submitter
Describe proposed CMP change
A scale used to weigh any portion of a landing of CR Program crab must produce a printed record for each landing, or portion of a landing, weighed on that scale. Printouts must be retained and made available to NMFS-authorized personnel.
The number of respondents has been updated from 3 to 10 to reflect current numbers. The elements that must be included in the printed record are at § 680.23(f)(3) and are listed below:
Printed record from scales used to weigh catch
Processor name
Weight of each load in the weighing cycle
Total weight of crab in each landing, or portion of the landing that was weighed on that scale
Date and time the information is printed
Name and ADF&G number of the vessel making the delivery (This information may be written on the scale printout in ink by the scale operator at the time of landing.)
|
Number of Respondents |
Frequency of annual responses per entity |
Total annual responses |
Estimated time per response |
Total annual burden hours |
Total labor cost ($37/hr) |
Scale Type Evaluation |
2 |
1 |
2 |
50 hours |
100 hours |
$3,700 |
Installation & Maintenance At-Sea Scales Video Monitoring Systems Observer Sampling Stations |
68 66 0 |
1 1 0 |
68 66 0 |
1 minute 1 minute 0 |
1 hour 1 hour 0 |
$37 $37 0 |
Inspection Requests |
68 |
1 |
68 |
8 minutes |
9 hours |
$333 |
Daily Scale Tests Notify Observer of Tests Record of Flow Scale Test Record of Hopper Scale Test |
66 66 2 |
200 250 135 |
13,200 16,500 270 |
2 minutes 30 minutes 15 minutes |
440 hours 8,250 hours 68 hours |
$16,280 $305,250 $2,516 |
Printed Report - Flow Scale Catch & Cumulative Weight Audit Trail Calibration Log Fault Log |
66 66 66 66 |
200 1 1 1 |
13,200 66 66 66 |
1 minute 1 minute 1 minute 1 minute |
220 hours 1 hour 1 hour 1 hour |
$8,140 $37 $37 $37 |
Printed Report - Hopper Scale Catch Weight Audit Trail |
2 2 |
135 1 |
270 2 |
1 minute 1 minute |
5 hours 1 hour |
$185 $1 |
Video Monitoring |
66 |
1 |
66 |
2 hours |
132 hours |
$4,884 |
Notification of Pacific Cod Monitoring Option |
1 |
1 |
1 |
10 minutes |
1 hour |
$37 |
CMCP Annual Submission CMCP Addendum Printed Record from Scale Notify Observer |
14 4 14 7 |
1 1 135 135 |
14 4 1,890 945 |
40 hours 8 hours 1 minute 1 minute |
560 hours 32 hours 32 hours 16 hours |
$20,720 $1,184 $1,184 $592 |
CMP Annual Submission CMP Addendum Printed Record from Scale |
10 4 10 |
1 1 135 |
10 4 1,350 |
16 hours 8 hours 1 minute |
160 hours 32 hours 23 hours |
$5,920 $1,184 $851 |
Total for Collection |
94 |
|
48,128 |
|
10,086 hours |
$373,146 |
|
Total annual responses |
Total annual miscellaneous costs per response |
Total annual miscellaneous costs for respondents |
Scale Type Evaluation |
2 |
$12,0252 |
$24,050 |
Installation & Maintenance At-Sea Scales (Maintenance only) Video Monitoring Systems (Maintenance only) Observer Sampling Stations |
68 66 0 |
$7,8503 $2,3904 $0 |
$533,800 $157,740 $0 |
Inspection Requests |
68 |
$55 |
$340 |
Printed Reports from the Flow Scale Catch weight and cumulative weight Audit Trail Calibration Log Fault Log |
66 |
$636 |
$4,158 |
Printed Report from Hopper Scale Catch Weight Audit Trail |
2 |
$636 |
$126 |
Video Monitoring |
66 |
$207 |
$1,320 |
Notification of Pacific Cod Monitoring Option |
28 |
$55 |
$140 |
CMCP Annual Submission CMCP Addendum Printed Record from scale |
14 4 14 |
$108 $108 $636 |
$140 $40 $882 |
CMP Annual Submission CMP Addendum Printed Record from scale |
10 4 10 |
$108 $108 $636 |
$100 $40 $630 |
Total for Collection |
|
|
$723,506 |
|
Number of Respondents |
Frequency of annual responses per entity |
Total annual responses |
Estimated time per response |
Total annual burden hours |
Total labor cost ($37/hr) |
Total miscellaneous costs |
Scale Type Evaluation |
2 |
1 |
2 |
40 hours |
80 hours |
$2,960 |
|
Inspection Requests |
68 |
1 |
68 |
15 minutes |
17 hours |
$629 |
|
Daily Scale Tests Record of Flow Scale Test Record of Hopper Scale Test |
66 2 |
1 1 |
66 2 |
30 minutes 30 minutes |
33 hours 1 hour |
$1,221 $37 |
|
Printed Report - Flow Scale9 |
66 |
1 |
66 |
15 minutes |
17 hours |
$629 |
|
Printed Report - Hopper Scale9 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
15 minutes |
1 hour |
$37 |
|
Video Monitoring |
66 |
1 |
66 |
2 hours |
132 hours |
$4,884 |
$7,000 |
Notification of Pacific Cod Monitoring Option |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 hour |
1 hour |
$37 |
|
CMCP Annual Submission CMCP Addendum Printed record from scale |
14 4 14 |
1 1 1 |
14 4 1 |
10 hours 4 hours 1 hour |
140 hours 16 hours 14 hours |
$5,180 $592 $518 |
|
CMP Annual Submission CMP Addendum Printed record from scale |
10 4 10 |
1 1 1 |
10 4 10 |
6 hours 1 hour 1 hour |
60 hours 4 hours 10 hours |
$2,220 $148 $370 |
|
Total for Collection |
94 |
|
316 |
|
526 hours |
$19,462 |
$7,000 |
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 following table represents the use of automated, electronic, and other technology used in this collection.
|
Paper/fax or email |
Electronic Submission |
Automatic |
Other Technology |
Scale Type Evaluation |
♦ |
|
|
|
Inspection Requests |
♦ |
♦ |
|
|
Daily Scale Tests Record of Flow Scale Test |
|
♦ |
|
|
Printed Report - Flow Scale Catch & Cumulative Weight Audit Trail Calibration Log Fault Log |
|
|
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ |
|
Printed Report - Hopper Scale Catch Weight Audit Trail |
|
|
♦ ♦ |
|
Video Monitoring |
|
|
|
♦ |
Notification of Pacific Cod Monitoring Option |
♦ |
|
|
|
CMCP Annual Submission CMCP Addendum Printed Report from Scale |
♦ ♦ |
|
♦ |
|
CMP Annual Submission CMP Addendum Printed Record from Scale |
♦ ♦ |
|
♦ |
|
Installation and maintenance of the scales, sampling station and video monitoring systems, and notifying observer of tests and pollock or pollock CDQ delivery do not require submission of a form. Electronic submission is not possible for these collections. Currently, Record of Daily Automatic Hopper Scale Tests does not have an electronic submission, but the form is available on the AKR website.
4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.
None of the information collected as part of this information collection duplicates other collections.
5. If the collection of information involves small businesses or other small entities, describe the methods used to minimize burden.
None of the firms directly regulated by this action are small entities for the purpose of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Therefore, 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.
This collection is necessary to provide precise and verifiable estimates of total catch and bycatch by species for NMFS management of catch share allocated species amounts. Without the Catcher/Processors Catch Weighing and Monitoring Systems and the Shoreside and Floating Processor Catch Monitoring Systems, NMFS would be unable to effectively manage catch share programs or be able to detect tampering or other fraudulent activities. Collecting this information less frequently would create gaps in the data available for catch share program management and lessen the veracity of enforcement actions.
7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.
No special circumstances are associated with this information collection.
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 June 1, 2017 (82 FR 25244), which solicited public comment. The comment period ended on July 31, 2017.
In addition, NMFS solicited input from owners and operators of vessels required to weigh catch at sea. Three comments were received, and all were related to the online inspection request form. One commenter appreciated having all the inspection requests on one form. Two commenters supported removing the video system specifications section of the inspection request form. All three commenters agreed with the time burden estimate of 8 minutes with the removal of the video system specifications section. As these comments support changes already made or are being made by NMFS, no changes are made based on the comments received.
9. Explain any decisions to provide payments or gifts to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.
No payment or gift is provided under the At-Sea Scales Program.
10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
The information collected is confidential under section 402(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. 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.
See Table A. Total estimated unique respondents: 94 (2 scale manufacturers, 19 AFA catcher/processors, 19 Amendment 80/Central GOA Rockfish Program catcher/processors, 28 BSAI longline catcher/processors, 2 CR Program catcher/processors, 7 AFA shoreside processors, 7 Central GOA Rockfish Program shoreside processors, and 10 CR Program shoreside processors). Total estimated responses: 48,128 decreased from 69,038. Estimated total time burden: 10,086 hours decreased from 11,037 hours. Estimated total personnel cost: $373,146 decreased from $409,057.
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).
See Table B. Total estimated miscellaneous costs: $723,506, decreased from $895,706.
14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government.
Estimated total responses: 316, decreased from 548. Estimated total time burden: 526 hours, increased from 463. Estimated total personnel cost: $19,462, increased from $17,051. Estimated total miscellaneous cost: $7,000, decreased from $33,000. Total costs: $26,462.
15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments.
Collection Adjustments:
Since the last renewal of this collection, NMFS has changed the collection titles and form names to streamline the collection. The table below shows the previous collection titles, how they match up to the new titles and forms, and explanations for the adjustments.
Catcher/Processors Catch Weighing and Monitoring Systems Information Collection (previously named Offshore Processor Catch-Weighing & Monitoring System)
Previous IC Title |
New IC Title |
Form Name |
Explanation of the adjustment |
|
|
Inspection request form (observer sampling station, video bin monitoring, and at-sea scales) |
Combined flow scale, observer sampling station, bin monitoring, video monitoring of Chinook salmon bycatch and freezer longline video monitoring system, and video for flow scale area inspections into one collection and renamed as Inspection requests (observer sampling station, video bin monitoring, and at-sea scales). Separated and renamed catcher/processor observer sampling station costs and renamed Installation and maintenance of observer sampling stations. Separated and renamed Bin Monitoring system data storage and maintenance to Installation and maintenance of video monitoring systems and Video Monitoring. Revised description to include all video monitoring systems. Separated cost from installation of a motion-compensated flow scale and renamed Installation and maintenance of motion-compensated at-sea scales. Revised description of Installation and maintenance of motion-compensated at-sea scales to include flow scale, longline flow scale, and automatic hopper scale installation and maintenance and scale heads and calibration software. Form changes are noted under “Revisions to forms” below. |
|
|
Notification of Pacific cod freezer longline monitoring option |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined notify observer of flow scale tests and notify observer of hopper scale tests into one collection because requirement is identical. |
|
|
Daily record of flow scale tests |
Removed catcher/processor from name as other vessel types also are required to complete form. |
|
|
|
Removed catcher/processor from name as other vessel types also are required to complete this collection. |
|
|
Record of Daily Automatic Hopper Scale Tests |
Moved all hopper scale collections under Crab Monitoring (CMP) system to the category Catcher/Processors Catch Weighing and Monitoring Systems to appropriately reflect the respondents’ characteristics. Changed form name. |
|
|
|
|
Shoreside and Floating Processor Catch Monitoring Systems (previously named Crab Catch Monitoring (CMP) System and Catch Monitoring and Control Plan (CMCP) for Shoreside Processors and Stationary Floating Processors (SFPs)
Previous IC Title |
New IC Title |
Form Name |
Explanation of the adjustment |
|
|
|
Combined Catch Monitoring and control plan for shoreside and stationary floating processors and Catch Monitoring and Control Inspection Request into one collection and renamed to reflect process correctly. Changed name of Shoreside or SFP inseason scale tests, printed records from State of Alaska scale.
|
|
|
Crab Monitoring Plan (CMP) template |
Combined collections into one collection to correctly reflect process. |
|
|
|
Name changed to more accurately reflect collection |
The following table shows the changes in the number of respondents, the frequency of responses, and the time estimate for the responses.
|
New Number of Respondents |
Previous Number of Respondents |
New Frequency of Response |
Previous Frequency of Response |
New Time Estimate |
Previous Time Estimate |
Reason for Change |
Scale Type Evaluation |
2 |
0 |
Unchanged |
Unchanged |
Unchanged |
Unchanged |
Manufacturers have recently contacted NMFS about the possibility of approving new scales to be added to the list of approved scale |
Installation & Maintenance At-Sea Scales Observer Sampling Stations Video Monitoring Systems |
68 68 66 |
78 + 310 78 + 310 78 |
Unchanged |
Unchanged |
Unchanged |
Unchanged |
Number of respondents decreased because new vessels have replaced multiple older vessels. |
Inspection Requests |
68 |
78 + 310 |
Unchanged |
Unchanged |
8 minutes |
2 hours |
Number of respondents decreased because new vessels have replaced multiple older vessels. Time estimate decreased because new online form and information from vessels. |
Daily Scale Tests Notify the Observer of Test Record of Flow Scale Test Record of Hopper Scale Test |
66 66 2 |
78 78 3 |
200 250 Unchanged |
135 135 Unchanged |
Unchanged 30 minutes 15 minutes |
Unchanged 45 minutes 45 minutes |
Number of respondents decreased because new vessels have replaced multiple older vessels. Frequency of responses increased because the number of tests has increased as well the requirement to record failed tests. The time estimates to complete tests have been updated to reflect information gained from monitoring scale tests. |
Printed Report - Flow Scale Catch & Cumulative Weight Audit Trail Calibration Log Fault Log |
66 66 66 66 |
78 78 78 78 |
200 1 1 1 |
135 135 135 135 |
Unchanged |
Unchanged |
Number of respondents decreased because new vessels have replaced multiple older vessels. Frequency of responses increased because the number of hauls has increased. The other reports are printed once a year instead of after each haul. |
Printed Report - Hopper Scale Catch Weight Audit Trail |
2 2 |
3 3 |
Unchanged 1 |
Unchanged 135 |
Unchanged |
Unchanged |
Number of respondents decreased because new vessels have replaced multiple older vessels. The audit trail is printed once a year instead of after each haul. |
Video Monitoring |
66 |
78 |
Unchanged |
Unchanged |
2 hours |
Not specified |
Number of respondents decreased because new vessels have replaced multiple older vessels. Previous supporting statement did not include a time estimate. |
Notification of Pacific Cod Monitoring Option |
1 |
33 |
Unchanged |
Unchanged |
Unchanged |
Unchanged |
All vessels have made the selection and no changes to a monitoring option have occurred in several years. One vessel has mentioned changing monitoring options at a point in the future. |
CMCP |
14 |
13 |
Unchanged |
Unchanged |
Unchanged |
Unchanged |
One shoreside processors is no longer in business |
CMP |
10 |
15 |
Unchanged |
Unchanged |
Unchanged |
Unchanged |
5 shoreside processors are no longer in business or have consolidated effort. |
Revisions to forms:
Two forms are revised. Neither change reduces the burden hours to the public and do not change the utility of the information collected for NMFS.
INSPECTION REQUEST FOR SCALES, OBSERVER SAMPLING STATIONS, AND ALL VIDEO MONITORING: The video system specifications section is removed from the inspection request form. NMFS may gather this data at the time of inspection. Additional fields have also been removed that are no longer needed to coordinate and schedule inspections expeditiously. These include company name, mailing address, fax number of contact, today’s date, and the manufacturer name and model of scale. These changes reduce the burden hours to the public. The burden hour estimate from 2 hours to 8 minutes have been adjusted to reflect this change.
DAILY RECORD OF FLOW SCALE TEST: Two items have been removed from the form: the Beaufort sea scale and the signature of the observer. These two items are no longer needed to determine the accuracy of the flow scale. The removal of these two items does not change the burden hour estimate or the costs to the public.
Reinstatement of collection: SCALE TYPE EVALUATION: The 2014 supporting statement inadvertently removed the scale type evaluations from the collection. A previous supporting statement separated scale type evaluations for platform and hanging scales, belt-conveyor (flow) scales, automatic hopper scales, and potential, undefined scales. However, the scale type evaluation conducted by NMFS is identical for all of these scale types. The differences noted in the previous supporting statement were for scale type evaluations completed by another government agency and should not be included in this supporting statement. This supporting statement reinstates this collection with corrections.
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.
1 Includes vessels authorized by statute, FMP, or regulation to participate in a fishery that may require flow scale use.
2 The laboratory tests costs include the actual evaluation ($12,000), supplies ($15), and photocopying ($10).
3 The annual maintenance costs include replacing scale components and having the scale serviced by a qualified scale technician. Replacing scale components includes belts, load cells, sprockets, and scale control heads, as well as updating software.
4 Annual maintenance costs include replacing video system components and having the video system serviced by a qualified technician. Potential components that may need to be replaced include cameras, wiring, hard drives, software, and dvrs.
5 Includes photocopying($0.10), faxing($5), emailing($0.05), and accessing the internet ($0.05)to submit the inspection requests.
6 Costs for all printed reports combined as resources needed are the same, including paper ($50), binders ($3) and printer supplies ($10).
7 ritnUSB drive to download video data.
8 Costs include printing ($3.00), photocopying($2.00), and mailing ($5.00) or emailing ($0.05) documents.
9 Burden and costs are combined for review of all printed reports
10 Groundfish catcher/processors and motherships + crab catcher/processors
| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
| Author | Jennifer Watson |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 2021-01-22 |