The issuance of a permit is an
essential part of managing fishery resources. The purpose and use
of permits is to: (1) Register vessel owners, vessel operators,
fishing vessels, fish dealers, and processors; (2) list the
characteristics of fishing vessels and/or dealer/processor
operations; (3) exercise influence over compliance (e.g., withhold
permit issuance pending collection of unpaid penalties, or
unsubmitted, but required data); (4) provide a mailing list for the
dissemination of important information to the industry; (5)
register participants to be considered for limited entry; and (6)
provide a universe for data collection samples. Identification of
the participants, their gear types, vessels, and expected activity
levels is an effective and necessary tool in the enforcement of
fishery regulations. This information collection also includes the
requirement for onboard vessel monitoring systems (VMS) and
reporting via VMS. Vessels are also required to request, in
writing, participation in any of the various exemption programs
offered in the Northeast region. Exemption programs may allow a
vessel to fish in an area that is limited to vessels of a
particular size, using a certain gear type, or fishing for a
particular species. Vessels are also required to request gillnet
and lobster tags through the Northeast region permit office when
using gillnet gear or lobster traps. Lastly, vessel owners that own
multiple vessels, but would like to request communication from NMFS
be consolidated into one mailing (and not separate mailings for
each vessel), may request the single letter vessel owner option to
improve efficiency of their business practice.
PL:
Pub.L. 94 - 265 303 Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Management and Conservation Act
The burden estimates for this
information collection have been revised and updated as necessary
for this revision. The majority of the information collections in
this family of forms have been in place since 2012, and precise
estimates of burden are known and included in this comprehensive
revision. Some burden and cost estimates had not been updated
recently and are updated in this revision. More accurate numbers
for VMS participants have been estimated using all VMS registrants.
Addition of public burden for all limited access scallop vessels
that are now required to submit pre-landing notifications via VMS.
Addition of public burden for Surfclam vessels increased polling
costs when fishing in designated exemption areas. Program Changes:
Removal of State Waters Sea Scallop Exemption, GOM/ Nantucket
Lightship Party/Charter Exemption, LOA For reopened Section of
Georges Bank Exemption because they are no longer used. Addition of
GSC HMA Clam/ Mussel Dredge Exemption, Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish
transfer at sea Exemption, White and Red Hake Transfer at sea
Exemption, and Surf Clam/Quahog GB Closed Area Exemption.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
DAS Credit: Standing By Entangled Whale - notification and request
0648-0202 30-day 84 FR 43588 2019-0821.pdf
0648-0202 Supporting Statement Part A 2019-1030.docx
Exemption: Monkfish Southern Fishery Management Area Landing Limit and Minimum Fish Size