SUPPORTING STATEMENT
Individual Fishing Quotas for
Pacific Halibut and Sablefish in the Alaska Fisheries
OMB Control No. 0648-0272
This request is for revision and extension of an existing information collection. There have been adjustments made to some of the information collections.
The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Alaska Region, manage fishing for Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) through regulations established under the authority of the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982. The IPHC promulgates regulations governing the halibut fishery under the Convention between the United States and Canada for the Preservation of the Halibut Fishery of the Northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea (Convention). Regulations pursuant to the Convention are set forth at 50 CFR Subpart E.
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), under the authority of the Halibut Act (with respect to Pacific halibut) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; Magnuson-Stevens Act) (with respect to sablefish), manages the fixed gear Pacific halibut and sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program. The IFQ Program provides a limited access system for Pacific halibut in Convention waters in and off Alaska and sablefish fisheries in waters of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska. Fishing under the IFQ Program began on March 15, 1995, ending the open-access fisheries that preceded its implementation.
NMFS and the Council developed the IFQ Program to reduce fishing capacity that had increased during years of management as an open-access fishery. The IFQ Program provides coastal Alaska communities a source of revenue, while maintaining the social and economic character of the fixed-gear sablefish and halibut fisheries. The IFQ Program provides economic stability for these fisheries while reducing many of the conservation and management problems commonly associated with open-access fisheries. The IFQ Program includes several provisions, such as ownership caps and vessel use caps that protect small producers, part-time participants, and entry-level participants that otherwise could be adversely affected by excessive consolidation.
The IFQ Program provides each fisherman an IFQ that can be used any time during the open season to allow each fisherman to set his or her own pace and fishing effort. Fishermen may harvest the IFQ over the entire fishing season, which extends approximately from March through November 15.
An IFQ permit authorizes participation in fixed-gear harvests of Pacific halibut off Alaska and most sablefish fisheries off Alaska. The IFQ is not specific to vessels and is issued annually to persons holding fishable Pacific halibut and sablefish quota share (QS).
NMFS initially issued QS to persons who owned or leased vessels that made legal commercial fixed-gear landings of Pacific halibut or sablefish during 1988, 1989, or 1990 off Alaska. Currently, QS may only be obtained through transfer.
More information on the IFQ Program can be found on the NMFS Alaska Region website. 1
Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.
NMFS Alaska Region administers the IFQ Program. Regulations implementing the IFQ Program are set forth at 50 CFR part 679.
This information collection is necessary to manage the IFQ Program. The information collected is used to identify and authorize participants in the halibut and sablefish fisheries, to track and transfer quota share, to limit transfers to authorized participants, and to monitor quota share balances and harvest in these fisheries.
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.
This information collection contains the elements listed in the following table.
Name of Form or Report |
Regulations 50 CFR part 679 |
Application for Eligibility to Receive QS/IFQ by Transfer |
§ 679.41(d) |
Quota Share (QS) Holder: Identification of Ownership Interest |
§ 679.42 |
Application for IFQ/CDQ Hired Master Permit |
679.4(d)(2) and (e) |
Application for IFQ/CDQ Registered Buyer Permit |
§ 679.4(d)(3) |
QS/IFQ Beneficiary Designation Form |
§ 679.41(k) |
Application for Transfer of QS/IFQ (includes transfer by sweep-up) |
§ 679.41(b)and (c) |
Temporary Military Transfer of IFQ |
§ 679.41(m) |
Application for Medical Transfer |
§ 679.42(d)(2) |
Application for Replacement of Certificates or Permits |
§ 679.4 |
Registered Buyer Landing Report |
§ 679.5(e)(7) |
IFQ Administrative Waiver |
§ 679.5 |
Prior Notice of Landing |
§ 679.5(l)(1) |
IFQ Departure Report |
§ 679.5(l)(4) |
Transshipment Authorization |
§ 679.5(l)(3) |
Dockside sales |
§ 679.5(g)(2)(iv) |
a. Application for Eligibility to Receive QS/IFQ by Transfer [adjusted]
Quota share represents a harvesting privilege for a person. Annually, NMFS issues IFQ to QS holders to harvest specified poundage. The specific amount of IFQ held by a person is determined by the number of QS units held, the total number of QS units issued in a specific regulatory area, and the total pounds of sablefish or halibut allocated for the IFQ fisheries in a particular year.
An applicant must be a United States (U.S.) citizen or U.S. corporation, partnership, or other non-individual business entity to receive QS/IFQ by transfer. Those persons applying to receive QS or IFQ by transfer must submit this application to obtain a Transfer Eligibility Certificate (TEC).
A person applies for eligibility only once. To be eligible, persons must have at least 150 days of experience working as part of a harvesting crew in any U.S. commercial fishery. Work in support of harvesting but not directly related to it is not considered harvesting crew work.
An application for eligibility may be submitted by mail or delivery to NMFS, Alaska Region, Restricted Access Management (RAM). Fax submittal is not accepted due to the notary requirements.
The following information is collected on the Application for Eligibility to Receive QS/IFQ by Transfer.
Block A – Applicant Information
Name and NMFS Person ID
Taxpayer ID No. (Employer ID No. or SSN)
Business mailing address (indicate whether permanent or temporary)
Business telephone number, business fax number, and business e-mail address
If applicant is a U.S. citizen, enter date of birth
If applicant is a U.S. corporation, partnership, association, or other non-individual business entity, enter date of incorporation
If a resident of Adak, Alaska, enter date residency began
Block B – Freezer Shares
If this TEC is for an entity that intends to buy or lease only category A QS and participant is a corporation, partnership, association, or other non-individual entity, attach QS holder: Identification of Ownership Interest form.
Block C – Commercial Fishing Experience
Species
Gear type
Location
Begin date and end date of fishing experience
Number of actual days spent harvesting fish
Duties performed while directly involved in the harvesting of fish
Vessel name
Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) vessel registration number or U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) documentation number of vessel
Name of vessel owner and name of vessel operator
Reference
Name
Relationship to applicant
Business mailing address and business telephone number
Block D – Notary Certification
Printed name and signature of applicant or authorized representative and date signed
If authorized representative, attach authorization
Notary public signature, commission expiration date, and notary stamp or seal
Application for Eligibility to Receive QS/IFQ by Transfer, Respondent |
|
Total number of respondents |
100 |
Total annual responses |
100 |
Number of responses per year = 1 |
|
Total time burden |
200 hr |
Time per response = 2 hr |
|
Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 200) |
$7,400 |
Total miscellaneous cost (564) |
$564 |
Postage (0.49 x 100 = 49) |
|
Photocopy (0.05 x 3pp x 100 = 15) |
|
Notary (5 x 100 = 500) |
|
This form must be submitted annually to NMFS by corporations, partnerships, associations, and other non-individual entities that hold QS.
The information requested is needed by NMFS to determine compliance with IFQ Program requirements that include the following:
determine if persons who hold QS have exceeded their allowable use limits under the “individually and collectively” language set out in the IFQ regulations at 50 CFR 679.42(e) and (f);
determine if a corporation or partnership that holds catcher vessel QS has changed (i.e., the addition of a new member);
identify first-time applicants;
affirm an entity’s continuing existence;
ensure corporations and partnerships are not erroneously issued annual IFQ resulting from the collectively held QS;
determine indirect ownership of vessels for purposes of the hired master provisions of the IFQ Program.
An entity must notify NMFS of any change within 15 days of its effective date and must then transfer its QS to a qualified individual.
Proof of vessel ownership must be submitted by non-individual respondents each year. Federal regulations at 50 CFR 679.42(i) and (j) define acceptable proof of ownership as follows:
For a documented vessel, owns a minimum 20-percent interest in the vessel as shown by the U.S. Abstract of Title issued by the USCG that lists the permit holder as an owner and, if necessary to prove the required percentage ownership, other written documentation;
For an undocumented vessel, owns a minimum 20-percent interest in the vessel as shown by a State of Alaska vessel license or registration that lists the permit holder as an owner and, if necessary to show the required percentage ownership interest.
An ownership interest application may be submitted to NMFS RAM by mail, delivery, or fax.
The following information is collected on the form Quota Share Holder: Identification of Ownership Interest.
Block A – Identification of QS holder
Name of QS holder
Indicate whether this business is a publicly held corporation
If a corporation, association, partnership, or other non-individual entity indicate whether still active
If an estate that has been probated, provide date probate was finalized
Block B – Identification of Members, Shareholders, Partners, Joint Venturers, Successors-In-Interest
If ownership consists of separate or additional corporations or partnerships, the individual owners of those entities and the percentage of interest those individuals hold in their respective corporations/partnerships must be listed
Name of owner(s)
Percent of interest held
Indicate whether ownership percentages represent the addition of any new owners since QS was initially issued
Block C – Certification
Printed name and signature of applicant or authorized representative and date signed. Authorized representatives must submit proof of authorization from QS owner and state title.
QS Holder Form: Identification of Ownership Interest, Respondent |
|
Estimated number of respondents Total annual responses Number of responses per year = 1 Total time burden Time per response = 2 hr Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 300) Total miscellaneous cost (474.20) Postage (0.49 x 80 = 39.20) Photocopy (0.05 x 2pp x 150 = 15) Fax ($6 x 70 = 420) |
150 150
300 hr
$11,100 $474 |
A hired master permit is required for harvest of IFQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, or Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) halibut on behalf of a permit holder. Non-individual IFQ permit holders (corporations, partnerships, associations, and other non-individuals) must designate a hired master to fish their IFQ or obtain a permit to access their account.
To obtain a hired master, non-individual permit holders must own (either directly or indirectly) at least 20 percent of the vessel their hired master will use to fish the IFQ. The applicant must complete a separate application for each vessel, each IFQ permit number, and each CDQ permit number.
To demonstrate percent of vessel ownership by IFQ permit holder, documentation of ownership must be included with this application, except for Category A IFQ permit holders and CDQ permit holders.
Proof of vessel ownership by the IFQ permit holder:
For USCG documented vessels, a complete copy of the USCG Abstract of Title
For an undocumented vessel, a copy of the State of Alaska vessel license or registration
If the IFQ permit holder is not the person named on the USCG Abstract of Title or State of Alaska vessel license or registration, documentation establishing indirect ownership, such as corporate annual reports, meeting minutes, or stock certificates.
A hired master permit is in effect from the date of issue through the end of the specified fishing year.
The application for a hired master permit may be submitted to NMFS RAM by mail, delivery, or fax.
The following information is collected on the Application for IFQ/CDQ Hired Master Permit.
Block A – IFQ/CDQ Permit Holder Information
Name and NMFS person ID of IFQ permit holder
Business mailing address (indicate whether temporary or permanent)
Business telephone number, business fax number, and business e-mail address
Block B – Purpose of Application
Indicate if adding or removing hired master
Indicate whether the hired master permit should be mailed directly to the hired master
Indicate permit number(s) and categories to which this action applies
Block C – Identification of Vessel upon which IFQ/CDQ Halibut or Sablefish Will be Fished
Vessel name, length overall, ADF&G vessel registration number, and USCG documentation number of vessel
If IFQ permit holder holds an ownership interest of at least 20% in the named vessel, attachments are required.
Block D – IFQ Permit Holder for Quota Share in Category B, C, or D
Indicate if IFQ Permit Holder hold an ownership interest of at least 20% in the vessel named in Block C.
Attach documentation in support of your ownership interest in the vessel
Block E -- IFQ Permit Holders for Quota Share in Category B, C, or D: Individuals Only
Indicate if the IFQ permit holder held an ownership interest of at least 20% in the vessel named in Block C for the 12 months immediately preceding the date of this application.
If NO, indicate if the permit holder owner applying for a hired master permit and seeking an exemption from the 12-month vessel ownership requirement.
Block F – Hired Master Information
Name and NMFS person ID of hired master permit holder
Business mailing address (indicate whether temporary or permanent)
Business telephone number, business fax number, and business e-mail address
Block G – 12-month Ownership Exemption Request
Indicate type of exemption you are seeking
For Claim of Vessel Los or Irreparable Vessel Damage:
Name, ADF&G number, and USCG number of vessel
Date vessel lost or irreparably damaged
Indicate if USCG Form 2692 “Report of Marine Casualty” was submitted for the incident
Cause of vessel loss or damage (check all that apply)
Was the vessel used to harvest halibut or sablefish QS belonging to the IFQ permit holder before the vessel was lost or irreparably damaged?
For Claim of Temporary Vessel Disablement
Name, ADF&G number, and USCG number of vessel
Date vessel temporarily disabled
Indicate if USCG Form 2692 “Report of Marine Casualty” was submitted for the incident
Was the vessel temporarily disabled by an accident that materially and adversely affected the vessel’s seaworthiness or fitness for service?
Does the vessel require repairs from this incident that require at least 60 days to complete?
Was the vessel used to harvest halibut or sablefish QS belonging to the IFQ permit holder before the vessel was temporarily disabled?
Block H – Certification of Permit Holder
Signature and printed name of applicant or authorized representative, and date signed
If representative, attach authorization
In 2014, new fields were added to the application due to a final rule. The public reporting burden statement on the application was revised from 30 minutes to 1 hour, but the time per response in subsequent supporting statements inadvertently was not revised. The respondent time per response in the table below has been changed to 1 hour.
Application for IFQ/CDQ Hired Master Permit, Respondent |
|
Estimated number of respondents |
200 |
Total annual responses |
200 |
Number of responses per year = 1 |
|
Total time burden (200) |
200 hr |
Time per response = 1 hour |
|
Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 200) |
$7,400 |
Total miscellaneous cost (170.04) |
$170 |
Postage (0.49 x 196 = 96.04) |
|
Fax ($6 x 4 = 24) |
|
Photocopy (0.05 x 5pp x 200 = 50) |
|
The Application for IFQ/CDQ Registered Buyer Permit is used to apply for, amend, or renew a registered buyer permit under the IFQ Program and the CDQ Program. A registered buyer permit authorizes the person identified on the permit to receive and make an IFQ landing by an IFQ permit holder or IFQ hired master permit holder, or to receive and make a CDQ halibut landing by a CDQ permit holder or CDQ hired master permit holder.
A registered buyer permit is required of the following:
Any person who receives IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish from the person(s) who harvested the fish.
Any person who harvests IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish and transfers such fish in a dockside sale, outside of an IFQ regulatory area, or outside the State of Alaska.
A vessel operator who submits an IFQ Departure Report (see description of this report below at subsection m).
NMFS does not issue a registered buyer permit to entities receiving IFQ Pacific halibut, IFQ sablefish, or CDQ Pacific halibut at locations outside Alaska. In such cases, the vessel operator must be a registered buyer.
A registered buyer permit is non-transferable and is issued annually on request at no cost. Many registered buyers hold more than one permit.
A registered buyer permit is in effect from the first day of the year for which it is issued or from the date of issuance, whichever is later, through the end of the 1-year cycle that runs from March 1 through the last day of February, unless it is revoked, suspended, surrendered, or modified.
The application may be submitted to NMFS RAM by mail, fax, or delivery. An application to renew or amend the permit may also be submitted online using eFISH, the NMFS-approved electronic reporting system.
If the application is submitted to NMFS online using eFISH, the NMFS Person ID, password, and transfer key take the place of a signature and certify that all information is true, correct, and complete.
Upon acceptance by NMFS of an online submission, the registered buyer may print a paper copy of the new permit and maintain this copy for inspection. NMFS will mail permits to applicants applying by mail, delivery, or fax.
For the application to be considered complete, all observer fees due to NMFS (see § 679.55) must be paid. Observer fees are authorized under OMB control number 0648-0711.
The following information is collected on the Application for IFQ/CDQ Registered Buyer Permit.
Indicate type of permit requested: New, Renew, or Amended
If renewing or amending a permit, enter registered buyer permit number
Block A -- Applicant Identification
Name and NMFS Person ID of registered buyer
Name of contact person
Business mailing address (indicate whether permanent or temporary)
Physical location of facility
Business telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address
Block B – Type of Activity
Check all activities that apply
Block C – Signature
Signature and printed name of applicant or authorized representative and date signed
If authorized representative, attach authorization
Application for IFQ/CDQ Registered Buyer Permit, Respondent |
|
Estimated number of respondents Total annual responses Number of responses per year = 1 Total time burden (117.5) Time per response = 30 min Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 118) Total miscellaneous cost (68.82) Postage (0.49 x 68 = 33.32) Fax ($6 x 2 = 12) Online (0 x 165 = 0) Photocopy (0.05 x 2pp x 235 = 23.50) |
235 235
118 hr
$4,366 $69 |
QS holders may provide NMFS with the name of a designated beneficiary to receive survivorship transfer privileges in the event of the QS holder’s death. If the QS holder does not leave a surviving spouse, he or she may name an immediate family member to be the beneficiary.
NMFS allows the transfer of IFQ only (lease) of any QS/IFQ transferred to the beneficiary by right of survivorship, for a period of 3 years following the death of the original QS holder. This information is necessary to provide temporary transfer privileges to families of deceased QS holders in the absence of a surviving spouse.
A designated beneficiary form may be submitted to NMFS by mail or delivery. Fax submittal is not accepted due to the Notary requirements.
The following information is collected on the QS/IFQ Beneficiary Designation Form.
Block A – Identification of QS holder
Name and NMFS Person ID
Business mailing address
Business telephone number, business fax number, and business e-mail address
Block B – Identification of beneficiary
Name and NMFS person ID
Business mailing address
Business telephone number, business fax number, and business e-mail address
Block C – Relationship of Beneficiary to QS Holder
If beneficiary is not the spouse of the QS holder, explain family relationship of the beneficiary to the QS holder
Block D – Signature
Signature and printed name of beneficiary, and date signed
If authorized representative, attach authorization
Signature, commission expiration date, and stamp or seal of notary public
QS/IFQ Beneficiary Designation Form, Respondent |
|
Estimated number of respondents |
12 |
Total annual responses |
12 |
Total time burden |
6 hr |
Time per response = 30 minutes |
|
Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 6) |
$222 |
Total miscellaneous cost (67.08) |
$67 |
Postage (0.49 x 12 = 5.88) |
|
Photocopy (0.05 x 2pp x 12 = 1.20) |
|
Notary (5 x 12 = 60) |
|
Any person that received Quota Share/Individual Fishing Quota (QS/IFQ) as an Initial Issue or that holds a Transfer Eligibility Certificate (TEC) is eligible to receive QS/IFQ by transfer. IFQ resulting from category B, C, or D QS may not be transferred separately from its originating QS, except as provided in 50 CFR 679.41(k). The IFQ Program does not permit transfer of QS subject to any conditions of repossession or resale to the transferor except by court order, operation of law, or security agreement.
An Application for Transfer of QS/IFQ must be approved by NMFS before a person may use IFQ that results from a direct transfer to harvest IFQ halibut or IFQ sablefish. Collectively held QS must be transferred to a qualified individual upon any change in a corporation or partnership.
The information required by this application is necessary to ensure that QS and IFQ are transferred in compliance with the regulations governing the buying and selling of QS and the leasing of IFQ.
If this is a transfer of Catcher Vessel CDQ compensation QS, there is a one-time opportunity at the time of the first transfer to permanently designate the catcher vessel category of the QS being transferred. CDQ compensation QS is QS issued as compensation for halibut and sablefish harvest privileges foregone due to the CDQ Program.
Persons issued CDQ compensation QS in a catcher vessel category and in an IFQ regulatory area in which they do not hold QS other than CDQ compensation QS, may use that CDQ compensation QS on any catcher vessel. This exemption from catcher vessel categories ends upon the first transfer of the CDQ compensation QS. CDQ compensation QS being transferred will be permanently assigned to a specific catcher vessel category as designated by the person receiving the transfer.
A separate application must be submitted for each QS or IFQ transfer.
An application for transfer may be submitted to NMFS RAM by mail or delivery. Fax submittal is not accepted due to the Notary requirements.
The following information is collected on the Application for Transfer of QS/IFQ.
Indicate whether transferee has a TEC
Checklist
Use this list to ensure application is complete.
Block A – Identification of Transferor (Seller)
Full name as it appears on QS Holder Summary Report or TEC
NMFS Person ID
Date of birth
Business mailing address (indicate whether permanent or temporary)
Business telephone number, Business fax number, and business e-mail address
Block B – Identification of Transferee (Buyer)
Indicate whether transferee holds a TEC
Name and NMFS Person ID
Date of birth
Business mailing address (indicate whether permanent or temporary)
Business telephone number, business fax number, and business e-mail address
Block C – QS Questions for Transferee
If QS is to be included in a sweep-up, list the QS Group Number on the QS Holder Summary Report into which this new piece should be combined.
If this is a transfer of Catcher Vessel CDQ Compensation QS and the vessel category was never declared, indicate the vessel category in which you would like to have your QS issued.
Block D – Identification of QS and IFQ to be Transferred
Complete Block D if QS and IFQ are to be transferred together or to transfer QS only.
Whether halibut or sablefish
IFQ Regulatory area
Vessel category
Number of QS units to be transferred
Transferor IFQ permit number
Start and end serial numbers of QS to be transferred
Indicate whether all remaining pounds for the current fishing year should be transferred
If NO, number of pounds to be transferred
Block E – Transfer of IFQ only
Complete Block E if requesting transfer of IFQ only (applies only to Category A and surviving Spouse IFQ)
Whether halibut or sablefish
IFQ regulatory area
Number of units to be transferred
Start and end serial numbers of IFQ to be transferred
Actual number of IFQ pounds
Transferor IFQ permit number
Fishing year
Block F – Required Transferor Supplemental Information
Price per unit of QS
Price per pound of IFQ
Total amount paid for the QS/IFQ, including all fees
Reasons for transferring the QS/IFQ (check all that apply)
If a broker is used for this transaction, enter amount paid in brokerage fees or % of total price
Block G – Required Transferee supplemental information
Indicate whether QS/IFQ being purchased will have a lien attached
If YES, name of lien holder
Primary source of financing for this transfer (check one)
How the QS/IFQ was located (check all that apply)
Buyer’s relationship to the QS/IFQ Holder (check all that apply)
If agreement exists to return QS/IFQ to Transferor or other person, or a condition placed on resale, explain
Block H – Certification of Transferor
Printed name and signature of Transferor and date signed
If authorized representative, attach authorization
Signature, commission expiration date, and stamp of notary
Block I – Certification of Transferee
Printed name and signature of Transferee and date signed
If authorized representative, attach authorization.
Signature, commission expiration date, and stamp of notary
This application is for use by a person who wishes to combine (sweep-up) two blocks. Blocked QS may be combined into one block if the total amount of QS being combined is less than or equal to established amounts of QS units per area. To be combined, QS must be in the same vessel category, and the resulting block size must not exceed the sweep-up limits.
An application for transfer by sweep up may be submitted to NMFS RAM by mail or delivery. Fax submittal is not accepted due to the Notary requirements.
The following information is collected on the Application for Transfer of QS/IFQ by Sweep-up.
Block A – Applicant information
Applicant name and NMFS Person ID
Date of birth
Business mailing address (indicate whether permanent or temporary)
Business telephone number, business fax number, and business e-mail address
Block B –- First Quota Shore Block
Halibut or sablefish
IFQ Regulatory area
Vessel category
Number of QS units to be combined
Start and end serial numbers of QS
Block C –- Second Quota share Block
Halibut or sablefish
IFQ Regulatory area
Vessel category
Number of QS units to be combined
Start and end serial numbers of QS
Block D – Certification of Notary and Applicant
Signature and printed name of QS holder and date signed
If authorized representative, attach authorization
Signature, commission expiration date, and stamp of notary public
The transferor and transferee aree included in the number of respondents, since both must complete and sign a section of the application; therefore, there are two respondents per response (the transfer application).
Application for Transfer of QS/IFQ, Respondent |
|
Estimated number of respondents (transferor and transferee) |
1,204 |
Total annual responses |
602 |
Total time burden |
1,204 hr |
Time per response = 2 hr |
|
Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 1,204) |
$44,548 |
Total miscellaneous cost (6,495.58) |
$6,496 |
Postage (0.49 x 602 = 294.98) |
|
Photocopy (0.05 x 3 pp x 1,204 = 180.60) |
|
Notary ($5 x 1,204 = 6,020) |
|
The Application for Temporary Military Transfer of IFQ is for use by members of the National Guard and military reserves who are unable to participate in the IFQ fishery for which they hold QS because of a military mobilization or activation to duty status. This transfer of annual halibut and sablefish IFQ to other eligible IFQ recipients allows these QS holders to accrue some economic benefit from their annual IFQ if unable to harvest halibut or sablefish.
A QS holder who has received an approved military transfer may transfer the IFQ derived from his or her own QS to an individual eligible to receive IFQ. Any person that received QS/IFQ as an Initial Issuee or that holds a Transfer Eligibility Certificate (TEC) is eligible to receive QS/IFQ by transfer.
To be eligible to receive a temporary military transfer, a QS holder must—
Be a member of a branch of the U.S. National Guard or other U.S. military reserve.
Possess one or more catcher vessel IFQ permits.
Not qualify for a hired master exception under § 679.42(i). Persons who qualify for a hired master exception are ineligible to receive a temporary military transfer.
An application for temporary military transfer may be submitted to NMFS RAM by mail or delivery. Fax submittal is not accepted due to the Notary requirements.
The following information is collected on the Application for Temporary Military Transfer of IFQ.
Qualifying Questions
Indicate if the Transferor (Military) qualifies for a hired master exception
If YES, the military transfer application will be denied
Indicate if the Transferee (Not Military) holds a Transfer Eligibility Certificate (TEC)
If NO, the transferee (buyer) must apply for a TEC
Attachments
Use this list to determine necessary attachments
Block A -- Transferor (Seller) Information
Full name as it appears on QS Certificate and/or TEC
NMFS Person ID
Birth date of applicant
Business Mailing Address: Include street or P.O. Box number, city, state, and zip code
Indicate whether permanent or temporary.
Temporary only if you want the transfer documentation sent other than to the permanent address.
Business telephone number, business fax number (include area codes), and business E-mail address (if any)
Block B -- Transferee (Buyer) Information
Full name as it appears on QS Certificate and/or TEC
NMFS Person ID
Birth date of applicant
Business Mailing Address: Include street or P.O. Box number, city, state, and zip code
Indicate whether permanent or temporary.
Temporary only if you want the transfer documentation sent to other than to the permanent address
Business telephone number, business fax number, and business E-mail address (if any)
Block C – Identification of IFQ to be Transferred
Indicate whether halibut or Sablefish IFQ
IFQ Regulatory Area
Number of Units
Numbered To and From (Serial Numbers are shown on the QS Certificate)
Actual Number of IFQ Pounds
Transferor IFQ Permit Number
Fishing Year
Block D -- Certification Of Transferor
Printed name and signature of transferor and date signed
If completed by a representative, attach authorization
Notary Public Attest, affix Notary Stamp, and provide date commission expires
The Notary Public cannot be the person(s) submitting this application.
Block E - Certification Of Transferee
Printed name and signature of transferor and date signed
If completed by a representative, attach authorization
Notary Public Attest, affix Notary Stamp, and provide date commission expires
The Notary Public cannot be the person(s) submitting this application.
The transferor and transferee are included in the number of respondents, since both must complete and sign a section of the application; therefore, there are two respondents per response (the transfer application).
Application for Military Transfer of IFQ, Respondent |
|
Estimated number of respondents (transferor and transferee) |
2 |
Total annual responses |
1 |
Number of responses per year = 1 |
|
Total time burden |
2 hr |
Time requirement per response = 2 hr |
|
Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 2) |
$74 |
Total miscellaneous cost (10.79) |
$11 |
Postage 0.49 x 1 = 0.49 |
|
Photocopy (0.05 x 3pp x 2 = 0.30) |
|
Notary ($5 x 2 = 10) |
|
QS holders not eligible to hire a skipper and who (themselves or an immediate family member) have a medical condition preventing them from fishing their catcher vessel IFQ may lease out the IFQ. This provision is intended to allow IFQ to be fished while the QS holder has a short-term medical condition. For this reason, a written declaration from a medical professional is required, and the number of times a person may use a medical transfer for the same medical condition is limited. NMFS will not approve a medical transfer if the applicant has received a medical transfer in any 2 of the previous 5 years for the same medical condition.
A medical transfer is valid only during the calendar year of the transfer.
The requirement for an individual IFQ permit holder to be aboard the vessel during fishing operations and to sign the IFQ landing report may be waived. A medical transfer may be approved if the applicant demonstrates that he or she is unable to participate in the IFQ fishery for which he or she holds IFQ—
because of a severe medical condition that precludes participation; or
because of a severe medical condition involving an immediate family member that requires the IFQ holder’s full time attendance.
To be eligible to receive an emergency medical transfer, an individual halibut or sablefish QS holder must possess one or more catcher vessel IFQ permits and not qualify for a hired master exception.
A substantial percentage of persons who have used medical transfers are initial issuees of QS not otherwise eligible to use a hired master (that is, those who held QS only in IPHC Area 2C [Southeast Alaska] or did not own a suitable vessel).
The application is available on the NMFS Alaska Region website or by calling NMFS RAM. The original application must be mailed or delivered to RAM; an application by fax will not be processed.
The following information is collected on the Application for Medical Transfer of IFQ.
Indicate if the Transferor (medical condition) qualifies for a hired master exception
If YES, the medical transfer application will be denied.
Indicate if the Transferee (no medical condition) holds a Transfer Eligibility Certificate (TEC)
If NO, the transferee (buyer) must apply for a TEC.
Block A – Transferor Information (Medical Condition)
Name of Transferor
NMFS Person ID
Birth date of applicant
Business Mailing Address (indicate if permanent or temporary): street or P.O. box number, city, state, and zip code
This is address where transfer documentation will be sent
Business telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address
Block B – Transferee Information (No Medical Condition)
Name of Transferee
NMFS Person ID
Birth date of applicant
Business Mailing Address (indicate if permanent or temporary): street or P.O. box number, city, state, and zip code
This is address where transfer documentation will be sent
Business telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address
Block C – Identification of IFQ to be Transferred
Indicate whether halibut or sablefish
Fishing Year
Transferor IFQ Permit Number
IFQ Regulatory Area
IFQ Pounds Transferring
Block D – Transferor Supplemental Information
Price per pound, including fees
Total amount paid for the IFQ, including fees
Block E – Transferee Supplemental Information
Primary source of financing for this transfer
Indicate how IFQ was located
Transferee's relationship to the IFQ Holder
Block F – Medical Declaration (may be completed only by a licensed medical doctor, advanced nurse practitioner, or primary community health aide)
Name of Treating Medical Professional
Business Telephone Number and Permanent Mailing Address
Type of Medical Professional
Description of the medical condition affecting the applicant or applicant’s family member (attach documentation of the medical condition and a description of the care required)
Signature of Treating Medical Professional and date signed
Block G – Certification Of Transferor
Printed name and signature of transferor and date signed
If completed by a representative, attach authorization
Block H – Certification Of Transferee
Printed name and signature of transferor and date signed
If completed by a representative, attach authorization
In 2017, OMB approved changes to this application. The name was changed and the form revised to remove the notary requirement and fields for the number of units to be transferred and the serial numbers of the IFQ to be transferred. These changes reduced the respondents’ estimated time per response from 2 hours to 1.5 hours. The transferor, transferee, and the medical professional are included in the number of respondents, since all must complete and sign a section of the application; therefore, there are three respondents per response (the transfer application).
Application for Medical Transfer of IFQ, Respondent |
|
Estimated number of respondents (transferor, transferee, and medical professional) |
420 |
Total annual responses |
140 |
Number of responses per year = 1 |
|
Total time burden |
210 hr |
Time per response = 1.5 hr |
|
Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 210) |
$7,770 |
Total miscellaneous cost (173.60) |
$174 |
Postage (0.49 x 140 = 68.60) |
|
Photocopy (0.05 x 5pp x 420 = 105) |
|
This form is used to request a replacement for a certificate, permit, or license that was previously issued by NMFS and that subsequently was lost, destroyed, or stolen.
An application for replacement may be submitted to NMFS RAM by mail, delivery, or fax.
The following information is collected on the Application for Replacement of Certificates, Permits, or Licenses.
Block A – Identification of Applicant
Name and NMFS Person ID
Date of birth, if an individual; Date of incorporation, if a corporation, association, partnership, or other non-individual entity
Business mailing address (indicate whether temporary or permanent)
Business telephone number, business fax number, and business e-mail address
Block B – Replacement Request
Indicate certificate, permit, or license to be replaced (check only items that apply)
Block C – Reason for replacement request
Check one; if checked “other,” describe
Block D – Certification of Applicant
Signature and printed name of applicant or authorized representative and date signed
If authorized representative, attach authorization
Application for Replacement of Certificates, Permits, or Licenses, Respondent |
|
Estimated number of respondents |
50 |
Total annual responses |
50 |
Number of responses per year = 1 |
|
Total time burden (25) |
25 hr |
Time per response = 30 min |
|
Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 25) |
$925 |
Total miscellaneous cost (57.05) |
$57 |
Postage (0.49 x 45 = 22.05) Fax ($6 x 5 = 30) |
|
Photocopy (0.05 x 2pp x 50 = 5) |
|
|
|
A person who is issued a registered buyer permit under § 679.4(d)(3) and who receives IFQ halibut or IFQ sablefish from an IFQ permit holder or who receives CDQ halibut from a CDQ permit holder at any time during the fishing year is required to use eLandings or other NMFS-approved software to submit landing reports.
A landing of IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish may commence only between 0600 hours, A.l.t., and 1800 hours, A.l.t., unless permission to land at a different time is granted in advance by a clearing officer.
The User for the registered buyer and the IFQ permit holder, IFQ hired master permit holder, or CDQ hired master permit holder must sign and submit the sablefish/halibut IFQ landing receipt within six hours after all IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, and IFQ sablefish are offloaded from a harvesting vessel and prior to shipment or transfer of the fish from the landing site.
The User for a registered buyer must enter information for each IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, and IFQ sablefish delivery into eLandings. This report must be submitted through eLandings at https://elandings.alaska.gov/.
If the registered buyer is unable to use eLandings to submit this report for a period longer than the required reporting time, or a change must be made to information already submitted, the registered buyer must complete an IFQ manual landing report, which is authorized under OMB control number 0648-0515.
The following information is collected in the Registered Buyer Landing Report.
User ID and password of person assigned for that system Landing date (mm/dd/yyyy)
Location (port code) of the landing
Permit number of the IFQ permit holder, and any IFQ hired master permit holder, or CDQ hired master permit holder harvesting the fish and permit number of registered buyer receiving the IFQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, or CDQ halibut.
Delivery information as reported by the IFQ permit holder, IFQ hired master permit holder, or CDQ hired master permit holder
Harvesting vessel's ADF&G vessel registration number
Gear code of gear used to harvest IFQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, or CDQ halibut
ADF&G fish ticket number(s) for the landing (after the initial eLandings report is submitted, eLandings assigns an ADF&G fish ticket number to the landing report)
ADF&G statistical area of harvest
If ADF&G statistical area is bisected by a line dividing two IFQ regulatory areas, provide the IFQ regulatory area of harvest
Initial accurate scale weight(s) (to the nearest pound) made at the time of offloading for IFQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, or CDQ halibut. Includes sold and retained (where retained includes fish intended for personal use, fish weighed and reloaded for delivery to another processor, and fish landed but rejected at the dock by the registered buyer).
Species codes, delivery condition code, and disposition code for each ADF&G statistical area of harvest
NOTE: Accurate weight of IFQ sablefish processed product obtained before the offload may be substituted for the initial accurate scale weight at time of offload, if the vessel operator is a registered buyer reporting an IFQ sablefish landing
Indicate whether initial accurate scale weight is given with or without ice and slime.
Fish which have been washed prior to weighing or which have been offloaded from refrigerated salt water are not eligible for a 2% deduction for ice and slime and must be reported as fish weights without ice and slime. The 2%t deduction is made by NMFS, not the submitter
Indicate whether IFQ halibut is incidental catch concurrent with legal landing of salmon or concurrent with legal landing of lingcod harvested using dinglebar gear
Signatures for IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish deliveries
This element previously included the manual landing report. The manual landing report has been removed because it is included under OMB control number 0648-0515. The numbers below have been revised to reflect removal of the manual landing report.
Registered Buyer Landing Report, Respondent |
|
Estimated number of registered buyers Total annual responses Total time burden (1,154.8) Time per response = 12 min Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 1,159) Total miscellaneous cost Online through eLandings = 0 |
235 5,774 1,155 hr
$42,883 0 |
Participants in IFQ fisheries request an administrative waver by calling NOAA Office for Law Enforcement (OLE) using a NMFS-provided toll-free number or, in rare cases, by marine radio. No form exists for this waiver.
OLE completes the waiver to document the participant’s request for an administrative waiver from one of the following requirements. The waiver is granted at the discretion of the clearing officer:
Six-hour Prior of Notice of Landing: issued to a vessel to land fish before the required 6 hours
12-hour IFQ Landing Window: issued to a vessel that lands fish after hours: after 1800 and before 0600
Electronic Landing Report: issued due to eLandings failure
IFQ hired master on board: issued for the IFQ hired master to not be on board in extreme personal emergencies
The following information is collected in an IFQ Administrative Waiver.
Toll-free telephone call to OLE
Date and time of waiver
Vessel name and ADF&G vessel registration number
All IFQ permit numbers
Prior Notice confirmation number (if applicable)
Registered Buyer name and permit number (if applicable)
Requirement being waived.
IFQ Administrative Waiver, Respondent |
|
Estimated number of respondents |
235 |
Total annual responses |
346 |
Total time burden (34.6) |
35 hr |
Time per response = 6 min |
|
Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 35) |
$1,295 |
Total miscellaneous cost |
0 |
The operator of any vessel making an IFQ landing must submit a PNOL to OLE no fewer than 3 hours before landing IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish, unless permission to commence an IFQ landing within 3 hours of notification is granted by a clearing officer. No form exists for this item.
The operator of any vessel wishing to make an IFQ landing before the date and time (A.l.t.) reported in the PNOL or later than 2 hours after the date and time (A.l.t.) reported in the PNOL must submit a new PNOL.
Vessel operators call OLE using a toll-free number to submit a PNOL. An OLE data clerk types the data directly into the system. The system generates a PNOL confirmation number, which the data clerk provides to the fisherman.
The PNOL alerts the IPHC monitoring personnel and OLE personnel to legal landings. In addition, the submittal of a PNOL allows OLE—
to query the IFQ data center to determine if the permit holder has enough IFQ pounds available in the account to cover the amount being landed;
to observe the offload; and
to monitor longline pot gear retrieval in the Gulf of Alaska.
Data on gear type are necessary to ensure compliance with the PNOL requirement because some reporting exemptions are gear-based.
Halibut: An IFQ landing of halibut of 500 lb or less of IFQ weight and concurrent with a legal landing of salmon harvested using hand troll gear or power troll gear is exempt from the PNOL.
Lingcod: An IFQ landing of halibut of 500 lb or less of IFQ weight and concurrent with a legal landing of lingcod harvested using dinglebar gear is exempt from the PNOL.
IPHC uses gear type data to assist with harvest monitoring. NMFS and the Council use gear information to project bycatch rates for non-IFQ fish in the IFQ fishery and support analyses for seasonal apportionments and other allocation proposals.
The following information is collected in the PNOL.
Toll-free telephone call to OLE
Vessel Information
Vessel name
ADF&G vessel registration number
Landing information
Port of landing and port code
Exact location of landing within the port (dock name, harbor name, facility name, or geographical coordinates)
Date and time (A.l.t.) that the landing will take place
Species and estimated weight (lb) of IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish that will be landed
IFQ regulatory area(s) where IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish were harvested
IFQ permit numbers used to land IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish
Gear type used to harvest the IFQ sablefish or IFQ halibut
If using longline pot gear in the Gulf of Alaska, report the following:
number of pots set,
number of pots lost, and
number of pots left deployed on the fishing grounds.
Comments
Prior notice of landing, Respondent |
|
Estimated number of respondents |
2,418 |
Total annual responses |
5,594 |
Total time burden (1,398.5 hr) |
1,399 hr |
Time per response = 15 min |
|
Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 1,399) |
$51,763 |
Total miscellaneous cost Submit by toll-free telephone |
0 |
A vessel operator who intends to make a landing of IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, or Crab Rationalization Program (CR) crab at any location other than in an IFQ regulatory area for halibut and sablefish or in a crab fishery for CR crab in the State of Alaska must submit an IFQ Departure Report, by telephone, to OLE (800-304-4846 or 907-586-7163) between 0600 hours, A.l.t., and 2400 hours, A.l.t. No form exists for this report.
A vessel operator who intends to make an IFQ landing at a location different from the location named on the IFQ Departure report must submit a revised report naming the new location at least 12 hours in advance of the offload. Revisions must be submitted by telephone, to OLE (800-304-4846 or 907-586-7163) between the hours of 0600 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), and 2400 hours, A.l.t.
The IFQ Departure Report is submitted only after completion of all IFQ fishing and prior to departing the waters of the exclusive economic zone adjacent to the jurisdictional waters of the State of Alaska, the territorial sea of the State of Alaska, or the internal waters of the State of Alaska.
A vessel operator submitting an IFQ Departure Report for CR crab must have a Registered Crab Receiver permit.
A vessel operator submitting an IFQ Departure Report for IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish must have a registered buyer permit and must submit IFQ landing reports for all IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, and IFQ sablefish on board at the same time and place as the first landing of any IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish.
The following information is collected in an IFQ Departure Report.
Toll-free telephone call to OLE
Intended date, time (Alaska local time), and location of landing
Vessel name and ADF&G vessel registration number
Halibut IFQ, halibut CDQ, sablefish IFQ, and CR crab permit numbers of IFQ and CDQ permit holders on board
Vessel operator's name
Registered Buyer permit or Registered Crab Receiver permit number
Area of harvest.
If IFQ or CDQ halibut, provide halibut regulatory areas (Figure 15 to 50 CFR part 679)
If IFQ sablefish, provide sablefish regulatory areas (Figure 14 to 50 CFR part 679)
If CR crab, provide CR fishery code (Table 1 to part 680)
Estimated total weight as appropriate of IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, or CR crab on board (lb/kg/mt)
IFQ Departure Report, Respondent |
|
Estimated number of respondents |
26 |
Total annual responses |
26 |
Number of responses = 1 |
|
Total time burden (6.5) |
7 hr |
Time per response = 15 min |
|
Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 7) |
$259 |
Total miscellaneous cost |
0 |
No person may transship processed IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, or CR crab between vessels without authorization by a local clearing officer. Authorization from a local clearing officer must be obtained for each instance of transshipment at least 24 hours before the transshipment is intended to commence.
The authorization is requested from OLE by telephone at 800-304-4846. No form exists for this item.
To obtain a Transshipment Authorization, the vessel operator must provide the following information to the clearing officer.
The following information is collected in a Transshipment Authorization.
Toll-free telephone call to OLE
Time and date of transshipment
Location of transshipment
Name and ADF&G vessel registration number of vessel offloading transshipment
Name of vessel receiving the transshipment
Product destination
Species code and product type code
Total product weight
Time (A.l.t.) and date of request
Name, telephone number, fax number for person making the request
Transshipment Authorization, Respondent |
|
Estimated number of respondents |
1 |
Total annual responses |
1 |
Number of responses per year = 1 |
|
Total time burden |
1 hr |
Time per response = 12 min |
|
Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 1) |
$37 |
Total miscellaneous cost |
0 |
The purpose of reporting the amount of IFQ fish involved in a dockside sale is to provide OLE with the ability to monitor and inspect the shipment of IFQ fish to determine whether there was proper accounting for all IFQ fish landed.
A person holding a valid IFQ permit or IFQ hired master permit, and a registered buyer permit may conduct a dockside sale of IFQ halibut or IFQ sablefish with a person who has not been issued a registered buyer permit after all IFQ halibut and IFQ sablefish have been landed and reported.
A person holding a valid halibut CDQ hired master permit and registered buyer permit may conduct a dockside sale of CDQ halibut with a person who has not been issued a registered buyer permit after all CDQ halibut have been landed and reported.
A registered buyer conducting dockside sales must issue a receipt to each individual receiving IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish in lieu of a product transfer report (see OMB control number 0648-0213). No form exists for this item.
The dockside sales receipt must include the following information.
Date of sale
Registered buyer permit number
Weight by product of the IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or sablefish IFQ transferred
Dockside Sales Receipt, Respondent |
|
Estimated number of respondents |
235 |
Total annual responses |
1,175 |
Number of responses per year = 5 |
|
Total Time burden (117.50) |
118 hr |
Time per response = 6 min |
|
Total personnel cost ($37/hr x 118) |
$4,366 |
Total miscellaneous cost |
0 |
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 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 (the Information Quality Act), which requires NMFS to ensure the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of information it publicly disseminates. Public dissemination of data collected by this information collection is governed by NOAA's information quality guidelines, which were issued on October 30, 2014.2
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 Question 10 of this Supporting Statement for more information on confidentiality and privacy.
Registered buyers may renew or amend their registered buyer permit online using eFISH at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/webapps/efish/login. Registered buyers submit their Registered Buyer Landing Reports online using eLandings at https://elandings.alaska.gov/.
Except for the dockside sales receipt and the information collected by OLE over the telephone, all of the forms and applications are available as fillable pdfs posted on the NMFS Alaska Region website at www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. These forms and applications may be completed electronically by the participant, downloaded, printed, and mailed or faxed to NMFS.
NMFS Alaska Region is working toward offering more on-line services.
None of the information collected as part of this information collection duplicates other collections. This information collection is part of a specialized and technical program that is not like any other.
NMFS attempts to minimize the burden of this collection on all respondents by collecting only information necessary to manage the IFQ Program, by providing and supporting the online data collection and reporting systems eFISH and eLandings, and by providing help to participants in writing and by phone. eFISH and eLandings include online help options and user guides at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/services. NMFS also maintains documentation about eFISH in the eLandings Wiki (Confluence) at https://elandings.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/doc/pages/31096857/eFISH+Web+Application. In addition, NMFS maintains a help/support call center with contractors available by phone Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Alaska time.
Additionally, most of the elements in this information collection are available online as fillable pdfs. A toll-free phone number is available for participants to contact NMFS RAM for help or information on these elements.
6. Describe the consequences to the Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently.
It would not be possible to effectively manage the IFQ Program or carry out the mandates of the Halibut Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Act if this collection were not conducted or conducted less frequently.
The lack of adequate information to manage the IFQ Program would result in the fishery management decision-making process being less objective, more political, and potentially less equitable. This would decrease the credibility of the fishery management process and result in an unnecessarily costly and ineffective management system. The cost of making decisions based on inadequate information would adversely affect the viability of the IFQ fishing industry.
Not Applicable
A Federal Register notice published September 19, 2017 (82 FR 43746), to solicit public comments on the information collection. The comment period ended November 20, 2017. No comments were received on this notice. In addition, selected participants were contacted to solicit comments. Two comments were received.
One IFQ permit holder replied “no comment.”
The second commenter is from a marine brokerage firm. The commenter suggests NMFS accept electronic submissions for transferring IFQ, which would benefit the commercial fishing industry and lower operating costs. The commenter noted that other agencies the firm works with accept scanned or emailed submission of forms that require notarized signatures. They are able to conduct most of their business with these agencies electronically and email the documents between the buyer and seller, which results in a tremendous savings of time and expense.
NMFS responds that the Alaska Region is working toward offering more online services. Regulatory requirements sometimes prohibit electronic submission of the documents, especially in cases where confidential or business identifying information or Personally Identifiable Information is required on the application form.
No payment or gift is provided under this program.
All information collections by NMFS, Alaska Region, are protected under confidentiality provisions of section 402(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act as amended in 2006 (16 U.S.C. 1801, et seq.) and under NOAA Administrative Order 216-100, which sets forth procedures to protect confidentiality of fishery statistics. The System of Records Notice that covers this information collection is COMMERCE/NOAA-19, Permits and Registrations for United States Federally Regulated Fisheries. An amended Privacy Act system of records notice was published in the Federal Register on August 7, 2015 (80 FR 47457), and became effective September 15, 2015 (80 FR 55327).
This information collection does not involve information of a sensitive nature.
Estimated total respondents: 2,793 (2,412 IFQ permit holders, 6 CDQ permit holders, 235 registered buyers, and 140 medical professionals (included as respondents for the medical transfers), up from 1,639. Estimated total responses: 14,406, up from 11,250. Estimated total burden hours: 4,980, up from 3,930. Estimated total personnel costs: $184,408, up from $ 119,511.
Estimated total miscellaneous costs: $8,082, up from $5,127.
A cost recovery program is in effect for the IFQ Program. Under this cost recovery program, NMFS is authorized to collect direct program costs from the permit holders. Therefore, the information collection requirements of the IFQ Program do not impose a cost on the Federal Government. Direct program costs are the costs NMFS incurs to manage, collect data from, and enforce the IFQ Program.
The direct program costs for the IFQ Program in 2017 were $4,659,859.
The following are examples of the types of tasks that were included under the 2017 IFQ direct program costs:
analysis and rulemaking activities: regulations to authorize longline pot gear in the Gulf of Alaska sablefish IFQ fishery, and analysis of potential revisions to IFQ Program rules, including medical lease and right of survivorship provisions;
maintenance of the electronic reporting systems, including the catch accounting system;
programming and web design for online applications;
issuance of IFQ and hired master permits, responding to questions about permits;
transfers of QS and IFQ, responding to questions about transfers;
annual transfer report;
determine standard ex-vessel prices using value and volume reports submitted by IFQ registered buyers;
fee determination and collection process;
port sampling;
processing North Pacific IFQ loan program applications; and
inspections, boardings, investigations, outreach and education, and compliance assistance.
NMFS publishes some information from this collection on the NMFS Alaska Region website, including lists of persons eligible to receive QS by transfer (business name and address, NMFS ID) and registered buyers (business name and address, NMFS ID, registered buyer permit number). Additionally a list of QS holders is posted that includes the business name and address, species, regulatory area, and number of QS units.
The OMB control number and the expiration date are not found on the following, which do not have forms: IFQ Administrative Waiver, Prior Notice of Landing, IFQ Departure Report, Transshipment Authorization, and Dockside Sales Receipt. All but the Dockside Sales Receipt are submitted by telephone. The Dockside Sales Receipt is given by the permit holder to the buyer; the mode of this receipt is up to the permit holder.
18. Explain each exception to the certification statement.
Not Applicable.
This collection does not employ statistical methods.
| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
| File Title | C:\PRA\OMB83I pre-ps.WP6.wpd |
| Author | rroberts |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 2021-01-21 |