0327 Supporting Statement 101118

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES PERMIT FAMILY OF FORMS

OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0327

A. JUSTIFICATION

This request is for revision and extension of a current information collection.

The collection consists of vessel and dealer permits, which are part of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) program to manage Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) including tuna, billfish, sharks, and swordfish. The HMS fishery management program is implemented under the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA) (16 U.S.C. 971) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) (16 U.S.C. 1801), through the 2006 Consolidated HMS Fishery Management Plan and implementing regulations at 50 CFR part 635.

NMFS issues permits to fishing vessels and dealers in order to collect information necessary to comply with domestic and international obligations, secure compliance with regulations, and disseminate necessary information. Regulations at 50 CFR 635.4 require that vessels participating in commercial and recreational fisheries for Atlantic HMS and dealers purchasing Atlantic HMS from a vessel obtain a Federal permit issued by NMFS. This action addresses the renewal of permit applications currently approved under OMB Control No. 0648-0327. Vessel permits include Atlantic Tunas permits (General, Harpoon, and Purse Seine), not including Longline permits, which are approved under OMB Control No. 0648-0205; HMS Charter/Headboat; HMS Angling; and Swordfish General Commercial permits. Dealer permits include the Atlantic Tunas Dealer permit. The permits covered by this action are listed in the table below.

The action also includes the one-time requirement for commercial vessels greater than 20 meters (65’ 7”) in length to obtain an International Maritime Organization/Lloyd’s Registry (IMO/LR) number, consistent with domestic regulations implemented to meet the requirements of an International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) binding Recommendation adopted in 2013 (Rec. 13-13). Current HMS regulations at 50 CFR part 635.4(h) require the submission of supporting documents as a condition for obtaining an Atlantic HMS permit and for being included on the ICCAT list of authorized large scale fishing vessels. Through this provision, NMFS requires a permit applicant or holder to provide an IMO/LR number, as described in a final rule published in the Federal Register December 5, 2014 (79 FR 72557). This one-time requirement would apply only to owners of commercial vessels greater than or equal to 20 meters (65’ 7”) in length seeking to obtain an Atlantic tunas permit, HMS Charter/Headboat permit, and/or a Swordfish General Commercial permit for the first time, as all vessels currently participating in the fishery have already obtained their IMO/LR numbers.

This collection also is revised by removing the HMS International Trade Permit (ITP) from OMB 0648-0327. The HMS ITP was replaced by the more comprehensive International Fishing Trade Permit (IFTP), which is covered under OMB Control No. 0648-0732.

Since the last renewal of this information collection, OMB Control No. 0648-0327 was also revised by two PRA change requests that approved two management measures that added endorsements to recreational HMS vessel permits. The first permit endorsement added to this information collection is the Shark Endorsement. Under regulations implementing Amendment 5b to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP (Amendment 5b), owners of recreational vessels that wish to target and retain sharks now are required to obtain a Shark Endorsement on their HMS vessel permit effective January 1, 2018. To obtain the Shark Endorsement, permit holders are required to view a training video on prohibited shark identification and safe handling and release practices prior to taking a short educational quiz on HMS recreational shark fishing regulations and prohibited shark identification. The purpose of the Shark Endorsement is to improve the ability of HMS permit holders to identify prohibited shark species, namely dusky sharks and other prohibited ridgeback sharks, and improve their knowledge of catch-and-release practices that minimize post-release mortality.

The second permit endorsement added to this information collection via a PRA change request was the HMS Charter/Headboat Commercial Sale Endorsement. Previously, the HMS Charter/Headboat permit authorized all permit holders to retain Atlantic tunas and swordfish for commercial sale under each species respective quota; however, only a small portion of HMS Charter/Headboat permit holders made such sales. USCG commercial fishing vessel safety requirements, which can be expensive to implement, may apply to vessels authorized to sell catch commercially, even if they do not actually make such sales. To address this issue HMS created a “commercial sale” endorsement for the HMS Charter/Headboat permit, specifying that only those with the endorsement are permitted to sell Atlantic tunas, swordfish, and sharks (shark sales also require a federal commercial shark permit). Those individuals that hold an HMS Charter/Headboat permit with a “commercial sale” endorsement may be categorized as commercial vessels for the purposes of USCG commercial fishing vessel safety requirements. We anticipate that those vessels holding an HMS Charter/Headboat permit without a “commercial sale” endorsement would not be categorized as commercial fishing vessels and would not be subject to the USCG commercial fishing vessel safety requirements.

Dealer Permits

Atlantic Tunas Dealer Permit

Vessel Permits

Atlantic Tunas (except for tuna longline)

HMS Charter/Headboat Permit

HMS Angling Category Permit (recreational)

Swordfish General Commercial Permit

International Maritime Organization/ Lloyd’s Registry (IMO/LR) number

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

The purpose of this collection of information is to comply with the statutory requirements of ATCA (16 U.S.C. § 971 et seq.) and the MSA (16 U.S.C. § 1801 et seq.), and federal implementing regulations at 50 CFR part 635.

Section 971d(c)(3) of ATCA provides the statutory authority to promulgate regulations as necessary and appropriate to implement the recommendations of ICCAT. As a contracting party to ICCAT, the United States is required to implement ICCAT recommendations, which, consistent with the ICCAT Convention, may require the collection of information for research and management purposes (e.g., fishing effort and catch information) and vital data for stock assessments. The United States must implement specific quotas established by ICCAT and ICCAT rebuilding programs and fishery conservation and management measures. ICCAT recommendations have also established statistical and catch document programs to track the trade of bluefin tuna (Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern bluefin tuna), swordfish, and frozen bigeye tuna. Statistical document programs recommended by the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna and the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission are also implemented under the authority of ATCA to effectively implement ICCAT consignment document programs.

Domestically, Atlantic tunas, swordfish, billfish and shark fisheries are also managed to comply with domestic legal requirements including those under the MSA. Conservation and management measures are implemented through the 2006 Consolidated HMS Fishery Management Plan and its amendments. Section 303(b) of the MSA provides statutory authority to require permits for fisheries governed by fishery management plans issued by the Secretary of Commerce.

Regulations at 50 CFR parts 635 require the permits listed above. The importance of the information collected prior to permit issuance and the use of the permit system is explained in response to Question 2.

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.

All permits in this collection must be renewed annually. Permits can be used to accomplish many functions. One of the main purposes for issuing permits is to identify the participants in a particular trade or industry and to provide a basis for regulating and monitoring activity carried out under authorization of the permit. NMFS manages fisheries on a regional basis; likewise, permits are issued by regional offices and the permit databases are regionally distributed. The HMS Management Division works with two regions (Greater Atlantic and Southeast), a contractor (ERT Corporation), and NMFS’s Office of Science and Technology to issue HMS permits. Under current HMS regulations, it is possible that a vessel or dealer, other than those in the HMS recreational fishery, will hold more than one HMS permit.

Vessel Permits

The general information collected for vessel permits includes all or some of the following:

• Vessel owner, corporate status, birthdate or corporation filed date, social security number or Federal ID number, names of additional owners, and contact information (e.g. address, phone, etc.);

• Vessel name, registration, and port;

• Vessel characteristics (including length) and construction type;

• Gear type/category;

• IMO/LR number (for commercial vessels ≥ 20 meters (65’ 7”)); and

• Signature and payment/delivery information.

Vessel permits are issued annually, which facilitates the collection of current information on fishery participation. Collection of such information also facilitates effective monitoring and enforcement. For example, NMFS requires that vessel permits be displayed to dealers and that permit numbers be recorded on dealer reports in order to validate landings of HMS and to ensure effective tracking of catch quotas. Vessel permit lists also serve as sampling frames for logbooks and recreational fishery surveys such as the Large Pelagic Survey (LPS) which provided essential data for management and stock assessments.

A current permit holder list aids NMFS in the communication and enforcement of fishery regulations through distribution of management program brochures, fish identification guides, and regulatory compliance guides. In addition, a permit “universe” facilitates collecting catch and effort information about commercial and recreational fisheries, as required by law. NMFS constructs sampling frames for dockside and telephone surveys from permit holder lists and uses the list to select vessels for logbooks and/or at-sea observers (addressed under separate collections). Such surveys, logbooks, and observer reports provide essential information for management of HMS fisheries in the United States, particularly in terms of quota allocation decisions that follow ICCAT recommendations and MSA requirements and National Standards. NMFS operates a mandatory angler catch reporting program for bluefin tuna, swordfish, and billfish (addressed under a separate collection) that is linked to the permit number to avoid false reporting and facilitates enforcement. Another purpose of the vessel permit requirement is that it serves as a useful tool in support of enforcement of fishery regulations. That is, the permit can be revoked as a penalty for a violation of fishery conservation measures.

Dealer Permits

The general information collected for dealer applications includes all or some of the following information:

• Business & owner name and contact information (e.g., phone, address, business website, etc.), birth date for the sole proprietor or applicant;

• Business report or articles of incorporation (other than sole proprietorship);

• Facilities where product is received or other business addresses/contact information;

• Applicant name and contact information;

• Federal Tax I.D. number;

• Type of dealer permit requested;

• Other NMFS dealer permit identification; and

• Applicant signature and date.

Note: the Federal Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) requirement was included in the last revision specifically for support of the cost recovery requirement in the Southeast Region Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper IFQ Program, OMB Control No. 0648-0551. Dealers with HMS dealer permits are likely to participate in the cost recovery program for red snapper. Collection of the TIN is necessary to ensure that we are collecting from the person who owes the debt. If the fee submission and payment are not received, the agency must begin collection processes and those collection processes cannot be initiated or accomplished without the TIN. Because the TIN in this instance is collected for NMFS cost recovery, there is demonstrable practical utility. In addition, cost recovery is mandated by the MSA (16 U.S.C. 1852 et seq.) as amended in 2006, and the collection of TINs in such an instance is supported by 31 U.S.C. Section 7701). Requiring TINS on permit applications is the only method we have for identifying TINs for those involved, or who may become involved, in the IFQ program.

For dealer permits, submission of the appropriate hard copy application is required, as indicated below in the answer to Question 3. In general, the purpose and use of dealer permits is to (1) identify fish dealers and the characteristics of their operations; (2) increase compliance (e.g., impose permit sanctions pending collection of required reports or unpaid penalties); (3) provide a mailing list for the dissemination of important information to the industry; and (4) provide a universe for data collection samples.

Although the information collected under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act generally is not expected to be disseminated directly to the public, it may be used in the development or review of fishery management plans or subject to release through a Freedom of Information Act request, and is therefore subject to NOAA’s Information Quality Guidelines. The MSA and other confidential requirements would apply to any such proposed release. 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 the response to Question 10 of this Supporting Statement for more information on confidentiality and privacy. The information collection is designed to yield data that meet all applicable information quality guidelines. Prior to dissemination, the information will be subject to quality control measures and a pre-dissemination review pursuant to Section 515 of Public Law 106-554.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological techniques or other forms of information technology.

The public can request an application for an Atlantic tunas, HMS Charter/headboat, Swordfish General Commercial, and HMS Angling vessel permits via both telephone (888-872-8862) and secure internet automated systems (https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/). Applicants may fill out and submit an application electronically via an internet automated system. These automated systems are available on a 7 day per week/24 hour a day basis, and are available at no additional charge to the permit holder beyond the cost of the permit. After an electronic application has been submitted, a vessel owner can track the application process and permit status via the internet at https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/. Once application processing is complete, a permit can be printed off the website or faxed or mailed back to the vessel owner.

Alternatively, fillable, printable applications for these vessel permits can be obtained directly from the internet site or through the mail via an automated internet or phone request and submitted by mail. However, recreational permit holders that wish to retain sharks are required to obtain a Shark Endorsement on their permit. This requires them to view a brief training video on prohibited shark identification and safe handling and release practices prior to taking a short education quiz on HMS recreational shark fishing regulations and prohibited shark identification, both of which are only available online. The shark endorsement video is embedded within the online permit application/renewal process at >https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/<

Automated information is available on a toll free telephone line (888-872-8862). Atlantic tunas dealer permits are fillable pdfs, available at http://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/aps/permits/dealer/. For Atlantic tunas dealer permits, renewal is facilitated by providing a pre-filled renewal application. Vessel permit renewals for Atlantic tunas, HMS Charter/headboat, Swordfish General Commercial, and HMS Angling permits also provide pre-filled fields for both Internet and phone renewal.

The requirement for certain commercial HMS vessels to obtain an IMO/LR number is accomplished by accessing a secure internet automated system supported by IHS/Fairplay (http://imonumbers.lrfairplay.com/). Applicants may fill out and submit an application electronically. This automated system is available on a 7 days per week/24 hours per day, and the IMO/LR number is available at no additional charge to the vessel owner.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.

The HMS Advisory Panel meets twice per year to discuss issues pertinent to management of HMS fisheries, including permits. This panel includes representatives from fishing and processing industries, environmentalists, the academic community, and the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean states and/or territories. Through this forum and the federal rule-making process, information including any potential duplication of permitting requirements is identified.

Vessel Permits

No other federally-issued fishing permits are required for the activities covered by the permits in this collection. State permits may be necessary for fishing in some states’ waters for certain species. HMS-permitted vessels may participate in other federally regulated commercial fisheries (e.g., northeast multi-species) for which permits are issued. NMFS is investigating means to consolidate the permitting process so that permits for multiple fisheries may be issued/renewed through a single application process (e.g., one stop shopping).

Dealer and Trade Permits

Tuna Dealer permits are required for purchasing tunas from fishing vessels (see table below). In addition, HMS dealers who import, export, or re-export species covered by the IFTP are required to hold that permit as well (see table below). Therefore, although U.S. dealers may be required to hold more than one permit for purchasing and trading HMS, each permit covers a different function, and none of the permits are duplicative in the activities they cover.

Atlantic Tunas Dealer Permit Requirements.

SPECIES	PERMIT FOR PURCHASE FROM VESSEL
Atlantic bluefin tuna	Atlantic Tunas Dealer Permit
Atlantic bigeye tuna	Atlantic Tunas Dealer Permit
Atlantic albacore tuna	Atlantic Tunas Dealer Permit
Atlantic yellowfin tuna	Atlantic Tunas Dealer Permit
Atlantic skipjack tuna	Atlantic Tunas Dealer Permit

HMS International Trade Permit Requirements (import, export, re-export).

SPECIES	PERMIT FOR TRADE
Atlantic bluefin tuna	IFTP
Pacific bluefin tuna	IFTP
Southern bluefin tuna	IFTP
Atlantic bigeye tuna (frozen only)	IFTP
Swordfish	IFTP
Shark Fins	IFTP

5. If the collection of information involves small businesses or other small entities, describe the methods used to minimize burden.

Annual permitting does not have a significant impact on small businesses (all respondents are considered small businesses). The minimal burden per application is outlined in the answer to Question 12. Impacts have been minimized for all vessel permits by providing application and renewal services over the Internet and telephone, as discussed in the answer to Question 3.

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

If this information collection were not conducted, the United States would have difficulty fulfilling international reporting and compliance obligations at ICCAT, potentially resulting in violations of ICCAT recommendations, including catch and capacity reporting requirements. ICCAT penalties may include reduction in the assigned country catch quota or trade restrictive measures. In addition, trade restrictions may be imposed on countries that fail to restrict catch to the level of the assigned quotas.

Estimates of the status of the Atlantic HMS stocks would be less accurate without this information, since all contracting parties to ICCAT must submit catch and effort information on an annual basis. Without such catch and effort statistics, the conservation and management objectives of ICCAT with respect to species rebuilding programs could be jeopardized. Furthermore, it would be difficult for the United States to formulate domestic policy consistent with the MSA, which must be based on the best available scientific information, including sound data and related analyses. NMFS would be less able to prepare documents such as Regulatory Impact Reviews and Environmental Impact Statements, as required under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and other applicable laws.

If this information collection were not conducted, NMFS would not gather the annual permitting information that provides an accurate vessel and dealer list and facilitates quota monitoring and data collections necessary to meet ICCAT and MSA requirements. Widening the timeframe for collection of information on HMS fisheries participants (e.g., every two years rather than annually) would provide a less accurate sampling frame that is the basis for fleet size calculations used for annual catch and effort estimates. Many vessels are sold, transferred, or move to new locations from year to year. It is also necessary to issue annual dealer permits in order to ensure accurate records of landings and to communicate regulatory changes efficiently and effectively.

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

Not Applicable.

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 January 26, 2018 (83 FR 3682) solicited public comment regarding the revision and extension of this information collection.

All of the permits covered under this collection were established via the federal rulemaking process, which required analyses of the impacts of the information collection and provided an opportunity for public comment. In addition, the HMS Advisory Panel meets twice annually to provide input on HMS regulatory and operations programs. Public comments on the January 26, 2018 Federal Register notice were solicited from the public and Advisory Panel members at the March 2018 HMS Advisory Panel meeting. The HMS Advisory Panel did not provide any comments on the collection at the the AP. Meeting. We asked them about several information collections at once, but they did not have any feedback on this renewal.

9. Explain any decisions to provide payments or gifts to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

There are no payments or gifts to respondents.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

As stated on the forms, the information collected will be handled as confidential material to the extent required under section 402(b) of the MSA, as amended in 2006, and NOAA Administrative Order 216.100, which sets forth procedures to protect confidentiality of fishery statistics. Permit holder names and addresses are considered non-confidential, and are regularly posted on various NMFS websites. Phone number, fax and email information, TIN and DOB are considered confidential, and are not released to the public. Generally, the agency does not release confidential information submitted in compliance with provisions of the Act, other than in aggregate form or under circumstances otherwise required or authorized by law.

A Privacy Act System of Records Notice, Commerce/NOAA-19, Permits and Registrations for United States Federally Regulated Fisheries, was published in the Federal Register on June 11, 2008 (73 FR 33065). An updated SORN was submitted for DOC review in May 2013.

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.

No sensitive questions are asked.

12. Provide an estimate in hours of the burden of the collection of information.

Numbers of respondents, responses, burden hours and recordkeeping/reporting costs for each permit are given in the table below. For most permit types, the number of respondents/responses in the first column is based upon actual 2017 data.

Permit Type	Currently Approved Annual Respondents/ Responses	Annual Respondents/ Respondents (estimated)	Time per Response (min)	Annual Burden (hrs)	Cost ($) (@$15/hr)
VESSEL PERMITS
INITIAL -- Atlantic Tunas (General, Harpoon & Trap categories), HMS Charter/headboat	5,000	3,000	34	1,700	$25,500
RENEWAL -- Atlantic Tunas (General, Harpoon & Trap categories), HMS Charter/headboat	6,500	6,500	10	1,083	$16,250
INITIAL -- HMS Angling	4,183	4,500	34	2,550	$38,250
RENEWAL -- HMS Angling	16,569	20,000	10	3,333	$50,000
RENEWAL -- Atlantic Tunas Purse seine limited access	5	5	10	1	$15
INITIAL -- Swordfish General Commercial	2,000	2,000	34	1,133	$17,000
RENEWAL – Swordfish General Commercial	700	600	10	100	$1,500
INITIAL & RENEWAL – One-time requirement to obtain IMO/LR number	50	50	30	25	$375
TOTALS (VESSEL)	35,007	36,655	N/A	9,925	$148,890
DEALER PERMITS
INITIAL - Atlantic Tunas Dealer	50	50	15	13	$188
RENEWAL - Atlantic Tunas Dealer	377	400	5	33	$500
TOTALS (DEALER)	427	450	N/A	46	$688
GRAND TOTALS	35,436	37,105	N/A	9,971	$149,578

*2017was an unusually low number for initial permit requests. The requested number in Column 3 better represents the estimated number.

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual recordkeeping/reporting cost burden to the respondents resulting from the collection (excluding the value of the burden hours in Question 12 above)

Permit Type	Annual Responses (Requested)	Estimated Permit Cost ($)	+ Application Submission and/or Permit Delivery Cost	Total Recordkeeping and Reporting Cost ($)
VESSEL PERMITS
Atlantic Tunas, HMS Charter/headboat, HMS Angling, purse seine limited access, Swordfish General Commercial – internet application & self- printed/faxed (99% of 36,605)	36,239	$20	$0.00	$724,779
Atlantic Tunas, HMS Charter/headboat, HMS Angling, purse seine limited access, Swordfish General Commercial– hardcopy application (0.95% of 36,605)	348	$20	$0.49	$7,130
Atlantic Tunas, HMS Charter/headboat, HMS Angling, purse seine limited access, Swordfish General Commercial – USPS overnight delivery (.05% of 36,605)	18	$20	$5.75	$464
One-time requirement to obtain IMO/LR number – internet application	50	$0	$0	$0
SUBTOTAL	36,655	N/A	N/A	$732,373
DEALER PERMITS
Atlantic Tunas Dealer	450	$0	$0.50	$225
TOTALS	37,105			$732,598

* There is no cost for delivery of permits applications sent electronically or by fax.

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

The cost of all these permits will be reimbursed by an administrative cost recovery fee included in the permit fee, and there will be no cost to the Federal government.

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

Program changes:

Since the last action under this OMB Control No., NMFS has removed one type of dealer permit (HMS International Trade Permit) from this collection. The HMS ITP was replaced by the more comprehensive International Fishing Trade Permit (IFTP), which is covered under OMB Control No. 0648-0732. The total number of responses, hours, and recordkeeping/reporting costs removed due to these program changes are 241 responses; 20 hours; and $6,146 recordkeeping/reporting costs.

TOTAL PROGRAM CHANGES: (-) 241 Responses; (-) 20 Hours; (-) $6,146 Recordkeeping/reporting costs.

Adjustments:

For permits now in this collection, several adjustments are being requested. These adjustments are based primarily upon the actual number of initial permit applications and renewals received by NMFS in 2017, and/or anticipated to be received by NMFS in the future.

Permit Type	Current	Requested	Difference
VESSEL PERMITS
Atlantic Tunas, HMS Charter/headboat, HMS Angling, purse seine limited access, Swordfish General Commercial permit application and renewal, IMO/LR number	Responses: 37,186	Responses: 36,655	(-) 772
	Hours:10,734	Hours: 9,926	(+) 1,683
	Recordkeeping/reporting costs: $ 747,824	Recordkeeping/reporting costs: $ 732,376	(-) $15,448
DEALER PERMITS
Atlantic Tunas Dealer permit application and renewal	Responses: 427	Responses: 450	(+) 23
	Hours: 44	Hours: 46	(+) 2
	Recordkeeping/reporting costs: $214	Recordkeeping/reporting costs: $225	(+) $11
TOTAL CHANGES DUE TO ADJUSTMENTS	Responses: 37,854	Responses: 37,105	Responses: (-) 749
	Hours: 10,768	Hours: 9,971	Hours: (-) 807
	Recordkeeping/reporting costs: $748,038	Recordkeeping/reporting costs: $732,601	Recordkeeping/reporting costs: (-) $15,437

TOTAL ADJUSTMENT CHANGES: (-) 749 Responses; (-) 807 Hours; (-) $15,437 Recordkeeping/reporting costs.

In summary, the overall number of respondents/responses and burden hours associated with this information collection has decreased due to decreases in the number of expected permit applicants. This has in turn resulted in decreased estimates of recordkeeping/reporting costs because the number of Atlantic Tunas, HMS Charter/headboat, HMS Angling, Purse Seine limited access, Swordfish General Commercial, and IMO/LR number initial permit applications and renewals are expected to decrease by 772 permits while Dealer Permits are expected to increase modestly by 23 permits for an overall adjustment of -749 permits. Because these permits cost $20 each plus application and delivery costs, recordkeeping/reporting costs for this collection also decrease by $15,437.

CURRENTLY APPROVED: 38,095 Responses; 10,978 Hours; $754,184 Recordkeeping/reporting costs.

REQUESTED: 37,105 Responses; 9,971 Hours; and $732,598 Recordkeeping/reporting costs.

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

NMFS regularly publishes annual summary tables of the total number and type of permit issued by state and region. Such tables may appear in reports to ICCAT, Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation reports, Environmental Assessments, Regulatory Impact Reviews, etc. The names and contact information of all permitted dealers are routinely made available on NMFS websites to inform commercial fishermen about where they can legally sell their catch. The names of all registered vessels 20 meters in length or greater with Atlantic HMS permits are also regularly provided to ICCAT per the requirements of ICCAT Recommendation 13-13 (Rec. 13-13).

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.

Section B. Collections of information employing statistical methods

This collection does not employ statistical methods.

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